CMHC Partnership Centre
Established in 1991, CMHC's Partnership Centre works with clients from the non-profit and private sectors, as well as municipalities and others who are interested in producing affordable housing without ongoing government subsidy.
The Partnership Centre assists clients in a variety of ways by drawing on the full range of CMHC's products, services and programs. The Centre also directs clients to other appropriate sources of information and support.
Since its inception, the Partnership Centre has facilitated more than 40,000 housing units. In 2005, the Centre played a role in the creation of more than 2,300 homes across Canada.
Advice, Guidance and Information
The Centre provides general housing information to clients who are interested in learning about housing but who may not yet be ready to start developing a housing project. Information is provided on a number of topics related to housing development and management though different venues including the CMHC website, affordable housing events, and upcoming teleforums.
The Partnership Centre is a source of housing expertise and advice. Representatives of the Centre, who are located across the country, provide project-specific guidance to assist clients in making progress on their proposed housing project. Among other things, clients are helped to assess the financial viability of their proposed project.
The Centre recently introduced a Viability Assessment Tool which is available on the CMHC website for this purpose.
The Centre also taps into CMHC's vast range of objective and reliable housing information, including market analysis, housing research, statistics, building technology and many other topics of interest to potential developers of affordable housing.
Financial Tools
CMHC offers financial assistance to help cover some of the upfront costs incurred during the development of a housing project proposal. In addition, CMHC mortgage loan insurance can facilitate access to mortgage financing.
- Seed Funding
Financial assistance of up to $20,000 to potential housing providers who are in the early stages of developing affordable housing project proposals. - Proposal Development Funding
The Centre offers interest-free PDF loans of up to $100,000 to support the further development of affordable housing projects. - Mortgage Loan Insurance
CMHC mortgage loan insurance allows borrowers to have access to higher loan amounts at the best possible interest rate. Affordable housing projects may be eligible for a reduced mortgage loan insurance premium and other flexibilities in accordance with the level of the project's affordability. Premiums may be waived completely for affordable housing projects that serve low-income households.
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