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CGAH – Canada Greener Affordable Housing (Social Housing)

Unlock Funding for Energy Retrofits with the Canada Greener Affordable Housing Program.

The Canada Greener Affordable Housing (CGAH) program supports deep energy retrofits in multi-unit residential buildings with forgivable and low-interest loans. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) funds up to 100% of eligible retrofit costs, with a maximum of $170,000 per unit. Forgivable loans are up to $85,000 per unit or 80% of retrofit costs, while low-interest loans cover the rest.

Additionally, the program provides contributions for pre-retrofit activities, offering a maximum contribution of $130,000 per project.

To be eligible, projects must primarily involve residential buildings with at least 5 units or beds. Single detached dwellings, duplexes, and townhouses must be at least 10 years old, while mid- to high-rise, low-rise, and multiplex buildings must be at least 20 years old. Applicants must meet affordability criteria set by municipal, provincial, territorial, Indigenous government, or CMHC programs, which may include rent-geared-to-income, low-income, moderate-income, or established rent limits/thresholds.

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Canada Greener Affordable Housing (CGAH) Program serving low-moderate household.

What is Canada Greener Affordable Housing?

CGAH offers energy retrofit loans for multi-unit (5+) including co-operatives and non-profits, to support deep energy retrofits.

Key Highlights:
  • Significant reductions in energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Improved building quality.
  • Adaptation to climate change and extreme weather.
  • Financial assistance for greener building practices to ensure affordability and sustainability.

The Scope of Energy Retrofits

Minor (Light)

Range of 10-20% Most common

Major (Medium)

35% Range Becoming more common

Deep (Significant)

50% and greater Select number of projects

Net Zero (Complete)

90% and greater Currently rare

Understanding Deep Energy Retrofits (DER)

A Deep Energy Retrofit (DER) defined as:
  • At least 50% energy savings compared to baseline, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Improve energy efficiency in building envelope by implementing insulation and air sealing measures.
  • Upgrading heating, cooling, and water systems to high efficiency systems which would improve building durability, comfort and indoor air quality.
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Program Objectives of CGAH

The program aims to align with the Green Buildings Strategy (GBS) and contribute to Canada’s 2050 climate goals. Achieve a 70% reduction in energy consumption and an 80%-100% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to preretrofit performance

What is the Green Buildings Strategy (GBS)?

GBS is a federal government strategy within the Emission Reduction Plan, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the buildings sector by 37% compared to 2005 levels by 2030. Led by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), with collaboration from departments like Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS), Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), and stakeholders.

CGAH funding opportunities

  • Pre-Retrofit Funding
  • Financial contributions available to support the necessary pre-retrofit activities required for planning, preparation, and application for Retrofit Funding.
  • Retrofit Funding
  • Repayable and forgivable loans provided to facilitate the implementation of deep energy retrofits on multi-unit buildings.

**Note: Pre-Retrofit Funding serves as a precursor to the Retrofit Funding application.

Documentation expenses covered by Pre-Retrofit Funding serve as proof of eligibility and must be submitted as part of the Retrofit Funding application.

Funding Opportunities for Retrofits

Pre-Retrofit Funding

 

$19.5 million available in contributions Maximum funding of $130,000 per project.

 

Retrofit Funding

  • Up to $1.1 billion in loans (forgivable and repayable combined)
  • CMHC will finance 100% of eligible retrofit costs, up to $170,000 per unit (repayable and forgivable loans combined).
  • Forgivable loans will be determined by the lesser of:
    • $85,000 per unit, or
    • 80% of eligible retrofit project cost.

Eligibility Requirements

The following entities are eligible to apply:
  • Community Housing Providers (e.g., non-profit housing organizations, public housing agencies, rental co-operatives)
  • Indigenous Governments and Organizations (including First Nation Bands, Tribal Councils, Indigenous housing providers)
  • Provincial, Territorial, and Municipal Governments (and their agencies)
Please note that private market housing organizations are not eligible.
To be eligible, applicants must demonstrate an affordable housing purpose and a clear mandate to provide housing to lower-income households or populations in need. Eligible projects must meet one of the following affordability criteria:
  • The project is mandated to follow a Municipal, Provincial, Territorial, Indigenous Government, or CMHC program affordability criteria.


    • or

  • The project is mandated to follow other affordability criteria, such as rent-gearedto-income, low-income, moderate-income, established income, rent limits/thresholds, or other criteria approved by CMHC.
  • Community and affordable rental housing.
  • Mixed income rental or mix-use with affordable rental housing.
  • Indigenous community housing and cultural spaces.
  • Shelters, transitional, and supportive housing.
  • Single-room occupancy
  • Have at least 5 units or beds.
  • Ensure primary use is residential.
  • Meet minimum age requirements:
    • Part 9 buildings must be at least 10 years old.
    • Part 3 buildings must be at least 20 years old.
Pre-Retrofit Funding
  • Funding available for pre-retrofit activities required for CGAH Retrofit Funding application.
  • Eligible costs may include energy audits, energy modeling, building condition assessments, project design, scope, and planning.
Retrofit Funding
  • Retrofit measures, systems, software and/or equipment related to increasing building’s energy efficiency and decreasing associated GHG emission in the unit and/or building.
  • Repair and maintenance that enables or is co-dependent to the energy retrofit.
  • Renewable energy.
  • Climate resiliency measures that enable the building and its tenants to be protected against extreme climate events.
  • Closing costs related to the loan.
Applicable retrofit measures that will be funded through the program should not be experimental.
Retrofit Funding
  • Targeting a projected 70% reduction in energy consumption relative to pre-retrofit performance.
  • Targeting a projected 80%-100% reduction in Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions relative to pre-retrofit performance.

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The CGAH program offers valuable financing opportunities, including forgivable and lowinterest loans, to help affordable housing providers undertake deep energy retrofits and improve the sustainability of their buildings.

Eligible applicants include community housing providers, indigenous governments and organizations, and provincial, territorial, and municipal governments. Private market housing organizations are not eligible.
Eligible projects include community and affordable rental housing, mixed-income rental or mixed-use with affordable rental housing, indigenous community housing and cultural spaces, shelters, transitional and supportive housing, and single-room occupancy.
The program offers pre-retrofit funding for planning and preparation activities, as well as retrofit funding in the form of repayable and forgivable loans to implement deep energy retrofits.
Energy retrofits can range from minor (10-20% energy savings) to major (35% energy savings) to deep (50% or more energy savings). Net-zero retrofits (90% or greater energy savings) are currently rare.

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