Sustainable Affordable Housing (SAH)

Sustainable Affordable Housing (SAH)

With Canadians across the country continuing to grapple with a deepening affordable housing crisis, GMF's Sustainable Affordable Housing (SAH) initiative reflects the power of multi-solving—supporting new and retrofitted housing that uses less energy, produces fewer emissions, and is more affordable and healthier to live in. 

Overview 

In 2024-25, SAH approved over $70 million in funding, enabling 944 units retrofitted or built, energy-efficient housing units, and supporting plans and studies for another 9,247 units. Among the new homes built, 71% were expected to charge rents below the local median.

SAH improves quality of life for residents by making homes more comfortable and energy-efficient, reducing monthly energy bills and building a wider sense of stability, dignity and community. For many, these units represent their first secure and stable housing in years, building confidence and providing a foundation for long-term well-being. In addition to supporting residents, SAH projects generate local economic benefits by creating jobs during construction, sustaining ongoing employment for property management and tenant services, and delivering the affordable housing supply needed to attract and retain skilled workers in communities across Canada. 

SAH delivers an active and growing capacity-building program for affordable housing providers. In 2024-25, the initiative convened peer learning sessions, delivered workshops and presentations at housing conferences in British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Ontario, and Quebec, and organized a two-day technical training for building operators. SAH also launched a webinar series on engaging tenants during retrofit projects and continued to offer free online training, coaching, technical support, and resources to help providers navigate energy-efficient housing retrofits and new construction. 

At a SAH learning forum in October 2024, key staff from funded products learned new strategies for integrating energy efficiency measures in long-term capital planning. The forum was an opportunity for participants from across Canada to meet their peers, connect with experts and get practical tips for financing more ambitious energy retrofits.