Study: One-time retrofit of affordable housing
This study grant helps evaluate solutions for a one-time deep energy retrofit of affordable housing during the pre-construction stages.
SUSTAINABLE AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Funding Snapshot
Grants of up to $200,000 for a single building, or up to $350,000 for a portfolio of buildings, to cover up to 80% of your eligible costs. Eligible Indigenous communities may qualify for a grant of up to 100% of eligible costs.
- Canadian municipal governments (e.g., towns, cities, regions, districts and local boards thereof);
- Municipally owned corporations, such as municipal housing service providers; or
- Non-profit, mission-driven affordable housing providers, including cooperatives.
- An Indigenous community is an eligible lead applicant if they are partnering with a Canadian municipal government on an eligible project, or if they have a shared service agreement with a Canadian municipal government related to municipal infrastructure, climate change or adaptation.
Applications are accepted year-round.
See the eligible costs table for details.
This funding helps housing providers complete the assessments needed before a deep energy retrofit that achieves significant energy or greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions, or both. The grant supports work at the pre-construction stage to assess implementation approaches and estimate the impacts and outcomes of a future capital retrofit project.
Housing providers can use a one-time retrofit study grant to assess the approaches needed to implement an eligible project in detail, including:
- technical evaluations and energy models
- financial options analysis
- site assessments
- engagement activities
- detailed project planning
These approaches must demonstrate and validate the project’s environmental, social and economic benefits, in line with GMF’s environmental thresholds for Sustainable Affordable Housing (SAH).
Eligible projects
The purpose of SAH funding is to enable affordable housing providers to pursue ambitious energy and/or GHG reductions through retrofits of existing buildings.
Projects must seek to achieve the following GHG and/or energy targets:
- 50% annual GHG reduction; and/or
- 40% annual energy reduction
One-time retrofit study grants are flexible and can be used for a range of activities, depending on the applicant’s needs, including:
- project planning and coordination
- technical assessments and studies
- design and costing work
- community, resident and equity‑focused engagement
- climate risk, resilience and mitigation planning
- partnerships and procurement approaches
- financial and funding assessment
- capacity development
See the application guide for more details.
Time to complete projects
Projects are typically expected to be completed within two years of FCM approval.
Notes
Funding is stackable with other funding programs.
We reserve the right to make changes to eligibility criteria and the types of projects funded through this offer.
How to Apply
1. Review the application guide. Make sure to look at the eligibility criteria and required document sections.
2. Visit the FCM funding portal to create your profile and request a PIN to access the system. Already have an FCM funding portal profile? Skip to step 3.
3. Complete the pre-application form available on the FCM funding portal following the instructions in the application guide.
4. Eligible projects will be invited to submit a full application.
Quebec municipalities
FCM has an agreement with Quebec's Ministère des Affaires municipales et de l’Habitation (MAMH) that allows the ministry to review applications to GMF before they are submitted to FCM. Quebec municipalities and municipally-owned corporations interested in applying should contact GMF.
Municipally-owned corporations are not included in the agreement with MAMH. They must obtain authorization from the Quebec government to secure an agreement with FCM, in accordance with the Ministère du Conseil exécutif. Private non-profit organizations can submit to GMF directly.
Once you have completed all the steps in the ‘How to apply’ section, submit your application by following the steps below. Note that the content of the links is available in French only.
- Save your application form using the appropriate file name.
- Save the application form to your local device with the following filename: FMV_ "your municipality's name"_ "date" (YYMMDD). For example: FMV_TownofABC_180228.pdf
- Log in to the Portail gouvernemental des affaires municipales et régionales using your username and password.
- To submit your form click on “File Transfer”.
- In the “Recipient” drop-down list, select the applicable program.
- Upload your files and press “Transfer” once your request is complete.
- Receive confirmation from MAMH.
- MAMH assesses the applications to ensure that the projects submitted do not conflict with Quebec's government policies and directives. Once the assessment has been completed, MAMH informs the applicant of their decision and sends compliant applications to GMF for review.
- MAMH requires up to 15 working days to review the application and forward it to GMF.
- Receive approval from GMF.
- GMF will inform the applicant once they receive the application from MAMH and review the submission. If the application is approved for funding, an agreement between FCM and the applicant is prepared.
Need help to see if this is the right funding for you?
Contact our Outreach team who can answer any questions you have relating to this funding opportunity.
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