Why it matters: Canada’s housing crunch

• Canada must significantly increase annual housing production to restore 2019-level affordability.
• MLI Select channels capital to rentals that deliver affordability, efficiency, and accessibility outcomes.

Key advantages (overview)

• Potential lower insurance premiums based on your points score.
• Longer amortization (up to 50 years, subject to economic life and CMHC approval).
• Support for both new builds & existing multi-unit rentals.
• More flexible underwriting for projects that meet program targets.

Eligibility (high level)

• Property type: Multi-unit rental (generally 5+ units), incl. standard rental, SRO, supportive housing & retirement homes (retirement homes typically 50+ units/beds).
• Use cases: New construction, purchase, or refinance.
• Student housing: May qualify via energy efficiency and/or accessibility criteria.
• Mixed-use: Non-residential components are limited (e.g., up to ~30% by area/value).

Investor benefits

• Premium discounts scale with your Affordability / Energy / Accessibility points.
• Potentially higher leverage than standard insured financing (project-dependent).
• Improved cash-flow from extended amortization and incentive pricing.
• Impact investment: aligns returns with social & environmental outcomes.

Core requirements

• Point scoring: Meet minimum thresholds in Affordability and/or Energy and/or Accessibility.
• Documentation: Provide evidence for rent targets, energy performance, and accessibility features.
• Underwriting: CMHC reviews viability (e.g., debt service, income, expenses, reserves).
• Amortization limits: Up to 50 years, capped by remaining economic life of the asset.

How MLI Select works

1. Design your targets for affordability, energy, and accessibility.
2. Estimate points + financing terms with your lender/broker.
3. Prepare documents (rents, pro formas, energy reports, accessibility specs).
4. Submit & underwrite with CMHC-approved lender; finalize conditions to fund.