Loan
Federal
Active
CMHC MLI Select
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)
Loan Range
Mortgage loan insurance, not a cash award. Insured loan up to...
Continuous. No application deadline is published.
Difficulty
Hard
Payment
Loan
Trend
Stable
First-Timers
—
Financing share
Varies
CMHC MLI Select provides up to Mortgage loan insurance, not a cash award. Insured loan up to 85% LTV on existing properties or 95% LTC on new construction, with amortization up to 50 years and limited recourse at the 100-point tier. Mortgage loan insurance for multi-unit rental projects that offers reduced premiums and longer amortization periods based on points for affordability, accessibility and climate commitments. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
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Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
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Program Description
Mortgage loan insurance for multi-unit rental projects that offers reduced premiums and longer amortization periods based on points for affordability, accessibility and climate commitments. Not a direct cash grant or loan.
Eligibility Requirements
- Owners or developers of qualifying multi-unit rental residential projects in Canada.
- Minimum 5 units for standard projects; minimum 50 units or beds for retirement homes.
- Eligible building types are standard rental, single-room occupancy, supportive housing and retirement homes; student housing qualifies only under energy-efficiency and accessibility criteria.
- Project must not be subject to the Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act.
- Non-residential space must not exceed 30% of gross floor area or 30% of total lending value.
Provinces
Industries
Business Stage
Quick Assessment
Difficulty
Hard
Competition
Moderate
First-Timer
Not rated
Funding Details
- Amount
- Mortgage loan insurance, not a cash award. Insured loan up to 85% LTV on existing properties or 95% LTC on new construction, with amortization up to 50 years and limited recourse at the 100-point tier.
- Type
- Loan
- Level
- Federal
- Deadline
- Continuous. No application deadline is published.
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
Competition
Moderate
Deadline
Ongoing
Approval
Varies
Accessibility
--/5
Competition
--/5
Approval Rate
--%
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How to qualify
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
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Insider TipAffordability commitments run a minimum of 10 years, and committing to 20 years adds 30 points on its own.
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Rejection Pitfalls 8
- Fewer than 5 units, or fewer than 50 units or beds for a retirement home
+7 more pitfalls
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Success Profile
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Evaluation Criteria
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All 8 pitfalls, the checklist and the reviewer notes are in the Playbook below. See what it includes ↓
What's in this Playbook
Everything you need to secure CMHC MLI Select
Not a marketing summary. The actual checklist, intel, and stack strategy reviewers look for.
- 8 rejection pitfalls reviewers flag — so you catch them first
- 7-document checklist with what each reviewer is actually checking
- Your Application Game Plan — the print-ready PDF the preview below describes
- 6-step application timeline with prep hours per step
- Insider tip from program officers on what separates winners
- Success profile + evaluation criteria — exactly what lenders look for
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Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
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6 steps
7 docs
Application Steps
1
Score the project on the point table for your stream Existing properties and new construction have different point tables. Points come from affordability rent levels, energy efficiency and GHG reductions, and accessibility, and you can combine them or focus on one.
Required Documents 7
✓ Certificate of Insurance application form, submitted by the approved lender
✓ Attestation for social outcomes
Deadline Notes
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Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
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Stacking partner data not yet available.
Combined Funding Potential
See your total funding potential
Clawback Risk
Not-applicable Risk
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How CMHC MLI Select Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
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Related Programs
Other programs you might be eligible for
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Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about CMHC MLI Select
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Is MLI Select a grant or a loan from CMHC?
Neither. It is multi-unit mortgage loan insurance. It gives access to reduced premiums and longer amortization periods based on your level of commitment to affordability, accessibility and climate compatibility, on a mortgage advanced by an approved lender.
What size of project qualifies?
The project must have a minimum of 5 units, except retirement homes where a minimum of 50 units or beds is required. Non-residential space must not exceed 30% of the gross floor area nor 30% of total lending value.
How long do I have to keep the rents affordable?
Affordability criteria apply for a minimum of 10 years. Borrowers who commit to 20 years receive an additional 30 points, and for the length of the commitment rents may not rise faster than applicable legislation allows, or the applicable CPI where no legislation applies.
What does a 100 point score actually get me?
Amortization of up to 50 years and a limited-recourse loan, for both existing properties and new construction. At 70 points the ceiling is 45 years and up to 95% leverage; at 50 points it is 40 years.
Is MLI Flex still available?
No. MLI Select came into effect as of March 7, 2022 and has replaced the previous MLI Flex product. Applications for MLI Flex are no longer accepted.
Can solar panels alone earn the energy efficiency points?
No. PV systems may be considered when they form part of an overall approach that includes energy efficiency and conservation measures, but they will not be accepted as a sole source used to qualify, and the maximum energy savings provided by PV systems is capped at 15% of the total energy reduction.
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Full Playbook: CMHC MLI Select
6 steps · 7 docs · reviewer insights