1. Minimum number of units

• Subject site: You must seek to create an affordable housing development that includes a minimum of 240 units at the site.

2. Affordability

In planning the affordability component of your proposal, you must ensure a minimum of 30% of total units have rents below 80% of the Median Market Rent in Ottawa and the affordability must be maintained for a minimum of 25 years.

3. Energy efficiency

You must demonstrate that your project is designed to meet or exceed one of the following options:

• Option 1: Tier 2 of the 2020 National Energy Code for Buildings
• Option 2: Tier 3 of the 2020 National Building Code

4. Accessibility

You must demonstrate that your project is designed to meet or exceed one of the following options:

• Option 1: The project must contain a minimum of 20% accessible units (CSA B651:23/652:23 or Rick Hansen Foundation GOLD Accessibility Certification). All common areas must be barrier-free.
• Option 2: The entire project (common areas and dwelling units) has full universal design, in accordance with CMHC's universal design requirements table.

5. Evidence of community need

You must provide a clear description of the need being met and at least 1 of the following:

• Market Feasibility Study which includes the quantitative and qualitative indicators demonstrating need and estimated absorption time.
• Letter of support from the municipality.
• Waiting lists for social or affordable housing in the community.

6. Experience

• You must have a minimum of 5 years of experience in construction and property management of projects of similar size and scope as that being proposed.

7. Financial Viability

You must demonstrate that your residential project will meet a minimum debt coverage ratio of 1.10.

Eligibility

The Federal Lands Initiative is open, but not limited, to the following groups:

• community housing organizations
• non-profit organizations or registered charities
• co-operative housing organizations
• municipal, provincial and territorial governments including their agencies
• Indigenous governments and organizations, including tribal councils
• for-profit organizations

Interested applicants must demonstrate in their response to this competition how they will meet or exceed minimum requirements.

The Federal Lands Initiative is launching a competition to seek a proponent to transfer the subject property parcel to develop an affordable housing project with a minimum of 240 residential units that will meet or exceed certain minimum criteria. The property will be available for transfer at a discounted to no cost. The transfer price will be determined based on the level of social outcomes achieved.

Proponents must clearly state the outcomes they are committing to achieve and support these outcomes with detailed supporting documentation. For the Federal Lands Initiative to select a successful proponent, it must receive a completed application and all mandatory supporting documentation.

PRO TIP!

Reach out to your Indigenous and the North Housing Solutions Specialist or Multi-Unit Housing Solutions Specialist at contactcentre@cmhc.ca or 1-800-668-2642 to discuss the application process. You can also request the Property Application Guide and Document Vault access.

Apply Today!