Sustainable Affordable Housing

Aging housing stock, rising energy costs and increasing demand for affordable housing have created a unique challenge for municipalities and other affordable housing providers working to build better lives.

The Sustainable Affordable Housing (SAH) initiative is a six-year, $300-million program launched in 2020 to help municipalities, non-profits, and housing co-ops retrofit existing housing and build new, energy-efficient homes. Since then, SAH has supported the creation or retrofit of more than 4,100 affordable housing units, which have helped lower emissions, cut energy costs, and improve housing quality in communities across the country.

As capital funding becomes more competitive, we will continue to offer support through planning and study grants, along with technical guidance and tools to help housing providers move their projects forward.

We can help your organization:

Retrofit existing units or build new affordable housing.
Lower energy use and reduce emissions.
Improve affordability and reduce operating costs.
Enhance health, comfort and quality of life for residents.

About the SAH offer

Sustainable Affordable Housing Application Guide 2022

Sustainable Affordable Housing application guide 2025

We offer five funding options to support your project from idea to implementation.

Planning: Get early-stage support to kickstart sustainable housing initiatives
Studies: Explore how to design and deliver an energy-efficient pilot or capital project
Pilot projects: Test new or innovative ideas on a small scale
Retrofit capital projects: Upgrade existing buildings with energy-saving technologies
New-build capital projects: Construct new homes that are built to high energy efficiency standards

Note: Funding for capital projects is competitive. We encourage you to connect with one of our advisors early to talk through your project and see if it’s a good fit. Planning, study and pilot grants remain fully available.

Regional Energy Coaches (RECs) are available to help housing providers plan and deliver retrofit or new-build projects.

Read the application guide
Visit the resource library for tools, case studies and guidance

Important update

Due to strong demand, some SAH funding streams—especially capital funding—are becoming more limited. We remain committed to helping communities through planning, study and pilot grants, coaching, and practical tools that support affordable, energy-efficient housing.

Processing times may vary depending on the number of applications received.

Thank you to all current and future applicants. We look forward to working with you to create stronger, more sustainable communities.

FCM’s Sustainable Affordable Housing (SAH) initiative is delivered through the Green Municipal Fund (GMF) and funded by the Government of Canada.

Featured News

See featured news related to Sustainable Affordable Housing.

Delivering hundreds of new sustainable and affordable housing units across British Columbia

The City of Vancouver is receiving $7,081,100 for the Coal Harbour mixed-use passive affordable housing development.

Learn more on FCM.ca

Canada and FCM announce support for net zero energy ready affordable housing in Rossland, B.C.

The Government of Canada and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) are investing in communities to provide sustainable and affordable housing for residents.

Learn more on FCM.ca

Canada and FCM invest in affordable housing for seniors in Vancouver

The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources and Garth Frizzell, Past President of FCM announced a $10 million investment through the Green Municipal Fund's (GMF) Sustainable Affordable Housing (SAH) initiative to support the redevelopment of two buildings.

Learn more on FCM.ca