The federal government announced it has re-opened the Affordable Housing Innovation Fund (AHIF) portal, delivered through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. The AHIF provides “flexible financial support” to encourage, develop and test a range of innovations that encompass financial and funding models, construction techniques and technologies, and other innovative approaches to housing.
According to Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, “The Affordable Housing Innovative Fund gives housing partners the chance to adopt new funding models and innovative building techniques that can be scaled up across the country.”
As of March 6, 2025, proponents are encouraged to submit proposals that address barriers to innovative homebuilding. Priority will be given to applications using modular and prefabricated building techniques to help address homelessness that can be scaled and replicated.
Additional prioritization will be given to:
- Communities that have submitted Community Encampment Response plans through the Unsheltered Homelessness and Encampment Initiative.
- Previous Affordable Housing Innovation Fund applicants with demonstrated experience in developing solutions to address homelessness.
AHIF is a $580 million program intended for projects that showcase new funding models and innovative building techniques. The total investment is expected to support the construction of approximately 10,800 new affordable housing units over six years. There is currently $67M in contribution funds remaining in the AHIF funding.
