The National Housing Strategy Research and Planning Fund helps the affordable housing sector gain insight and expertise to address housing challenges, especially for vulnerable populations.
The next call for applications is expected to be in 2024.
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National Housing Strategy Research and Planning Fund
Funding for not-for-profit organizations, registered charities and Indigenous partners to advance housing research in Canada. Funds help promote interest, involvement and capacity building in housing research.
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Fund details
The National Housing Strategy Research and Planning Fund provides support to the following organizations undertaking housing research:
- not-for-profit organizations
- registered charities
- Indigenous governments and organizations
National Housing Strategy Research and Planning Fund objectives are to:
- build collaboration, engagement and alignment with stakeholders
- support the housing community’s research capacity development
This stakeholder-focused funding opportunity helps promote engagement in housing research outside of government by:
- developing solutions to improve affordable housing for communities across Canada
- supporting data development
- cultivating and supporting highly focused expertise to rapidly overcome challenges
This fund provides $750,000 annually to fund new and ongoing projects in 4 activity streams:
- Planning activities: up to $50,000
- Individual research projects: up to $100,000
- Programs of research: up to $250,000
- Knowledge mobilization projects: up to $50,000
For all streams, you must provide a minimum of 25% (cash and/or in-kind contributions) of the total project cost. CMHC will cover up to 75% of your project’s total cost.
The budget available for this initiative is subject to availability of funds. These funds are determined by an annual vote by parliamentary appropriations and the conditions that may be attached to them.
Duration:
We expect projects that fall under these categories to be completed within 12 months of signing of the contribution agreement:
- individual research projects
- planning activities
- knowledge mobilization
Programs of research must be completed within 2 years.
Streams of activity:
1. Planning activities
The planning activity stream provides your organization with the resources to lay the foundation for a strong research proposal. This can help get you ready to apply for an individual research project or program of research through the Research and Planning Fund in the future.
Activities may include, but are not limited to the following:
- stakeholder consultations, including citizen engagement activities
- environmental scan or preliminary synthesis of relevant literature, activities or programs
- gatherings of stakeholders to facilitate regional, national and/or international collaboration among individuals or groups from a variety of backgrounds
- hiring consultants to prepare research applications for groups that don’t have the capacity to do so on their own
2. Individual research projects
Projects may include (but are not limited to) research activities such as:
- literature reviews
- environmental scans (domestic and international)
- surveys and interviews
- testing
- evaluations
- data gathering and analysis
- profiles
- case studies
- reporting findings, including knowledge mobilization
3. Programs of research
A program of research includes more than one coordinated and connected research project. These projects are conducted in parallel or successively, to collectively advance knowledge in a particular topic or theme. Programs of research seek to leverage the findings from multiple research projects to more completely assess and advance knowledge.
4. Knowledge mobilization projects
The knowledge mobilization stream is for sharing research findings from recently completed research projects.
Activities may include, but are not limited to the following:
- designing, developing and delivering knowledge mobilization strategies such as:
- brochures
- posters
- presentations
- mock-ups and models
- in person or on-line forums
- information sharing platforms
- educational seminars
- engagement and facilitation activities
*Note: You can submit a project that is part of a larger initiative, however, the application must clearly identify:
- the activities and deliverables of the proposed project (distinct from the larger initiative)
- what incremental work CMHC is being asked to fund (distinct from other sources of funding)
Applications will be evaluated for the project for which CMHC funding is requested, not on the larger initiative.
Budget:
The budget should be broken down by:
- fiscal year (April 1 to March 31)
- project phases (if applicable)
- key deliverables
It should describe all:
- costs associated with the proposed project activities
- proposed sources of revenue for these activities
*Note: Reasonable overhead costs are an allowable budget line item.
There is no maximum or minimum allocation for administrative overhead. The reasonableness of the overhead cost will be assessed by the proposal evaluation committee by considering:
- the overhead cost relative to the overall funding request
- the cost compared to other projects of similar nature, size and complexity that have been funded
Fund eligibility and requirements
All applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:
Lead applicant eligibility:
- The lead applicant must be an active not-for-profit organization, registered charity, Indigenous government or Indigenous organization in Canada.
- The lead applicant should be able to demonstrate how the organization engages in housing issues and their existing or proposed linkages to the housing sector.
*Note: While academic institutions, private organizations and municipal governments cannot act as lead applicants, they are eligible to be project partners. Lead applicants are strongly encouraged to engage with various partners.
Project eligibility:
- The project must address one or more National Housing Strategy priority areas for action and vulnerable populations.
- At the time of application, partner contributions totaling 25% of the total project cost must be confirmed. Letters from contributing project partners must be included with the application.
- The project must not have been funded through the National Housing Strategy Research and Planning Fund in a previous competition year. Support will not be given for a previously funded project, event, or identical activity.
- Funding will only be provided for research projects or activities that will be carried out after the signing of a contribution agreement.
CMHC requires all grant recipients to follow a structured reporting process:
- Individual research projects and programs of research
- You must submit progress reports at 6 months intervals for the duration of the project and/or deliverables from key milestones.
- This must be followed by a final report submitted at project completion.
- Planning activities and knowledge mobilization projects
- You must submit a final report to CMHC at the completion of the project.
As a grant recipient, you will report on:
- Financial statements
- Provide all costs associated with the project, including staff and contractor salaries, equipment purchases and travel expenses.
- Results and impact of the project or activity
- Include initial goals and an honest assessment of whether the initiative yielded the desired results.
- Lessons learned
- Incorporate information on the project's major takeaways, including unexpected challenges and how these were addressed.
The results of these reports provide CMHC with an opportunity to:
- obtain information on the impact of the initiative
- evaluate the impact of CMHC funding
- advance knowledge transfer by providing selected information on the results of funded research and its partners to the research community and the public
- standardize the capture, collection and analysis of information related to the results of funded research
Application and approval process
The application and approval process will be detailed at the time of the call for proposals. Application timeline:
The next call for applications is expected to be in 2024.
Resources
- National Housing Strategy priority areas for action
- National Housing Strategy glossary of common terms
*Note: Additional resources will become available once the next call for proposals is announced.
Become a reviewer
If you’re interested in being a reviewer for the National Housing Strategy Research and Planning Fund selection process, please join the Expert Community on Housing College of Reviewers.
The Community is an open collaborative space to share housing knowledge, contribute to the development of housing solutions and network with individuals to help address the challenges and problems in housing.
The College of Reviewers helps CMHC assess applications under the National Housing Strategy, including the Research and Planning Fund.
Learn about funded projects
Research and Planning Fund 2023 funded projects
Nowhere to Go - Gender Based Violence and Housing Insecurity in
Ontario
This project examines the relationship between gender-based violence and housing insecurity. It explores the pathways of those affected, from home to shelter and back to permanent housing.
This project examines the relationship between gender-based violence and housing insecurity. It explores the pathways of those affected, from home to shelter and back to permanent housing.
Supporting Indigenous Health and Wellness in the Journey Towards
Home
This program of research explores data, best practices and lived experience of Kelowna’s Indigenous residents experiencing housing challenges. It supports developing culturally responsive housing and support services to address identified needs.
This program of research explores data, best practices and lived experience of Kelowna’s Indigenous residents experiencing housing challenges. It supports developing culturally responsive housing and support services to address identified needs.
Accelerated Deep Energy Retrofit Planning Project for Affordable Public
Housing
This project will develop housing renewal methodologies to improve the building evaluation and upgrade processes. The findings seek to expedite the retrofit of housing across Nova Scotia and beyond.
This project will develop housing renewal methodologies to improve the building evaluation and upgrade processes. The findings seek to expedite the retrofit of housing across Nova Scotia and beyond.
Mobilizing the Indigenous Housing and Homelands Governance Toolkit
This toolkit offers non-colonial approaches to Indigenous housing governance. This project scales and adapts the toolkit to address First Nation housing developments through a collective approach on Indigenous lands.
This toolkit offers non-colonial approaches to Indigenous housing governance. This project scales and adapts the toolkit to address First Nation housing developments through a collective approach on Indigenous lands.
Development practices that support and are inclusive of people experiencing
homelessness
This research improves and shares knowledge on inclusive development practices to support people experiencing homelessness. It explores how effective design practices can create supportive and inclusive living environments.
This research improves and shares knowledge on inclusive development practices to support people experiencing homelessness. It explores how effective design practices can create supportive and inclusive living environments.
Targeting Energy Efficiency to Improve Housing Affordability for Vulnerable
Canadians
This project aims to improve housing affordability and accessibility of energy efficient housing upgrades for vulnerable households by increasing our understanding of “energy poverty”.
This project aims to improve housing affordability and accessibility of energy efficient housing upgrades for vulnerable households by increasing our understanding of “energy poverty”.
A Roadmap for Net-Zero Energy Ready Residential Homes in Musqueam First
Nation Community by 2050
This program of research is developing a series of roadmaps towards net-zero energy/emissions for existing homes on Musqueam First Nation Reserve by 2050.
This program of research is developing a series of roadmaps towards net-zero energy/emissions for existing homes on Musqueam First Nation Reserve by 2050.
Queer Identity and Housing – Co-Designing Holistic Housing Access with
2SLGBTQ+ Adults in Canada
This project explores the facilitators and barriers to 2SLBGTQ+ identified adults accessing housing from young adulthood to older age.
This project explores the facilitators and barriers to 2SLBGTQ+ identified adults accessing housing from young adulthood to older age.
Understanding Alternative Housing Builds Using Localized Materials through
an Indigenous Lens
This project evaluates the appropriateness of local building materials by cost, durability, and cultural connection. It is informing a framework to support Indigenous communities in developing localized housing solutions.
This project evaluates the appropriateness of local building materials by cost, durability, and cultural connection. It is informing a framework to support Indigenous communities in developing localized housing solutions.
Building Home – Impacts of a Housing First model for Youth who Experience
Mental Illness and Housing Instability
This research improves our understanding of the impacts of Housing First on youth housing stability and mental health by documenting and sharing lived experiences.
This research improves our understanding of the impacts of Housing First on youth housing stability and mental health by documenting and sharing lived experiences.
Research and Planning Fund 2022 funded projects
Due to the multi-year nature of the projects awarded funding in previous National Housing Strategy Research and Planning Fund cycles, limited funds remained to be allocated in the 2022 fiscal year. Two eligible proposals were selected from past applications to be funded from the 2022 National Housing Strategy Research and Planning Fund cycle.
Increasing Housing Security for Individuals with Hoarding Disorder
Exploring the relationship between hoarding and housing security, an understudied phenomenon more prevalent in older populations.
Exploring the relationship between hoarding and housing security, an understudied phenomenon more prevalent in older populations.
Building on the Winnipeg Plan to End Youth Homelessness: Mobilizing
Evidence to Inform Housing Solutions
Addressing information gaps on differences between youth and adult experiences of homelessness and their housing needs and preferences.
Addressing information gaps on differences between youth and adult experiences of homelessness and their housing needs and preferences.
Research and Planning Fund 2021 funded projects
Go Big and Build Homes: Identifying and Overcoming the Barriers to
Housing on Reserves
Examining the historic and systematic barriers to housing. Engaging community members to understand appropriate sites and types of new housing, and verifying homebuilding technologies.
Examining the historic and systematic barriers to housing. Engaging community members to understand appropriate sites and types of new housing, and verifying homebuilding technologies.
Buying while Black: Barriers to Black Homeownership in Canada
This project seeks to understand homeownership experiences for Black households. This includes housing policies and programs that influence those experience and the role non-profits play in these experiences.
This project seeks to understand homeownership experiences for Black households. This includes housing policies and programs that influence those experience and the role non-profits play in these experiences.
Knowledge mobilization in IRCOM's social housing for refugee families-to
build data management & evaluation capacity
Communicating recent findings related to housing for refugee families through training, improving data management systems, and sharing with other organizations.
Communicating recent findings related to housing for refugee families through training, improving data management systems, and sharing with other organizations.
Securing the right to housing for racialized refugees
This project will generate knowledge about barriers keeping racialized refugees from accessing the housing they need. It will examine rights-based interventions for this population in Toronto.
This project will generate knowledge about barriers keeping racialized refugees from accessing the housing they need. It will examine rights-based interventions for this population in Toronto.
Safe, stable, long-term: Supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ youth along the housing
continuum
Addressing the barriers and facilitators of access to stable, safe, and long-term housing for2SLGBTQIA+ youth housing and homelessness.
Addressing the barriers and facilitators of access to stable, safe, and long-term housing for2SLGBTQIA+ youth housing and homelessness.
Understanding the intersection between justice-involvement and
homelessness
This project seeks to understand the housing challenges, barriers, and needs of justice-involved populations.
This project seeks to understand the housing challenges, barriers, and needs of justice-involved populations.
Portrait of housing and resources in Mauricie
Through data collection and partnerships, this project will lay the foundation for developing an inclusive and local housing strategy.
Through data collection and partnerships, this project will lay the foundation for developing an inclusive and local housing strategy.
Research and Planning Fund 2020 funded projects
Due to the multi-year nature of the 2018 & 2019 allocations under the Research and Planning Fund, approximately $90,000 remained to be allocated in the 2020 fiscal year as at April 1, 2020. In 2020, two eligible proposals were selected to be funded from the 2020 budget.
Workshop Series: Bringing affordability to the suburbs
Informing and bringing partners together in order to build affordable infill housing
Informing and bringing partners together in order to build affordable infill housing
Making Permanent Supportive Housing Work for Vulnerable Population
Advancing the ability of housing providers and policy makers to create supportive housing for those in greatest need
Advancing the ability of housing providers and policy makers to create supportive housing for those in greatest need
Research and Planning Fund 2019 funded projects
Creating a home for our youth
Developing housing systems change to address systemic failure for First Nations Youth in Nishnawbe Aski Nation
Developing housing systems change to address systemic failure for First Nations Youth in Nishnawbe Aski Nation
Collaboration to Address Homelessness: Health, Housing and Income
(H2I)
An innovative intervention that streamlines housing and income supports
An innovative intervention that streamlines housing and income supports
Project Housing Assistance and Life Outcomes (HALO)
There is growing use of Portable Housing Benefits or PHBs across Canada, including the National Housing Strategy’s commitment to start a Canada Housing Benefit in 2020.
There is growing use of Portable Housing Benefits or PHBs across Canada, including the National Housing Strategy’s commitment to start a Canada Housing Benefit in 2020.
Fourth International Housing First Conference
Dissemination of evidence-based Housing First practices in Canada
Dissemination of evidence-based Housing First practices in Canada
HABITAT: Homes adapted to individual needs and technologies accessible to
all!
The primary goal of the HABITAT program is to use technologies to develop a generalized housing model.
The primary goal of the HABITAT program is to use technologies to develop a generalized housing model.
Housing needs and preferences of Indigenous people experiencing
homelessness
Developing a housing prototype for Indigenous people experiencing homelessness in an urban centre.
Developing a housing prototype for Indigenous people experiencing homelessness in an urban centre.
Yellowknive’s Dene First Nation housing needs assessment (YKDFN)
Creating measures that will look at a holistic approach to housing.
Creating measures that will look at a holistic approach to housing.
Research and Planning Fund 2018 funded projects
This is Not Home
Addressing the data gap on women and gender-diverse persons who are homeless.
Addressing the data gap on women and gender-diverse persons who are homeless.
Understanding Homelessness and Housing Need for Women and Girls in
Canada
The development of a national knowledge base on the state of women and girl’s homelessness and housing need in Canada.
The development of a national knowledge base on the state of women and girl’s homelessness and housing need in Canada.
Addressing the Housing Needs of Refugee Families through Transitional
Housing and Wrap-Around Supports
Exploring ways to provide affordable, transitional housing that supports refugee families
Exploring ways to provide affordable, transitional housing that supports refugee families
Improving Community Well-being Through Housing
The Implementation of a housing and community development plan for reduce the housing backlog by 50% over a period of five years in The Cree Nation of Eastmain.
The Implementation of a housing and community development plan for reduce the housing backlog by 50% over a period of five years in The Cree Nation of Eastmain.
Identifying the Foundations: Cultural Perspectives and Solutions for
Indigenous Housing in Calgary
The identification of information gaps and developing recommendations on a responsive and appropriate Indigenous housing solutions to help better serve Indigenous populations.
The identification of information gaps and developing recommendations on a responsive and appropriate Indigenous housing solutions to help better serve Indigenous populations.
Assisting Renters: Housing Supplements in Manitoba and Canada
Examining the impact of Rent Assist from the perspectives of tenants, private landlords and non-profit housing providers
Examining the impact of Rent Assist from the perspectives of tenants, private landlords and non-profit housing providers
Affordable, Culturally-Appropriate, Net-zero Homes and Clean Energy for
First Nations Communities
Using social innovation to root skills and capacity within first Nations.
Using social innovation to root skills and capacity within first Nations.
Improving Housing Conditions, Improving Health: Community Engagement and
Planning Proposal
Understanding how housing conditions affect the health of the vulnerable population.
Understanding how housing conditions affect the health of the vulnerable population.
Micro-housing as an Urban Housing Option
Identifying development planning and policy barriers that may prevent or hinder the implementation of micro homes as an affordable housing solution.
Identifying development planning and policy barriers that may prevent or hinder the implementation of micro homes as an affordable housing solution.
Saving an Important Source of Affordable Housing
To ensure that affordable apartment tower stock is maintained as a sustainable housing resource, while creating more strong, secure and complete communities
To ensure that affordable apartment tower stock is maintained as a sustainable housing resource, while creating more strong, secure and complete communities
Using community bonds to finance affordable housing projects
Development of an innovative model for the poor population to become homeowners.
Development of an innovative model for the poor population to become homeowners.
Advancing Housing Outcomes for Low-Income Seniors
Informing the development of an integrated service delivery model
Informing the development of an integrated service delivery model
Contact
Still have questions about the National Housing Strategy Research and Planning Fund or technical support?
- Phone: 1-800-668-2642 (Business hours: 8:00 am to 7:00 pm Eastern Time)
- Email: RPF-FRP@cmhc-schl.gc.ca
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Date Published: July 6, 2023
