The rest of the CMHC multi-unit catalogue.
Beyond the main five programs (MLI Standard, MLI Select, ACLP, AHF, CHDP), CMHC insures several specialized property types on their own premium schedules and operates a handful of ancillary programs that complement the core pathways.
Specialized insurance products cover retirement housing (minimum 50 units or beds), student housing, supportive housing, and single-room occupancy (SRO). All four carry higher premium schedules than standard rental to reflect operating complexity and concentration risk.
Four property types with their own premium schedule.
These products use the same underwriting framework as MLI Standard (LTV, DCR, guarantee structure) but price premiums above the market-rental grid to reflect sector-specific risk.
Independent-living and assisted-living facilities. Higher premium schedule than standard rental reflects service-intensive business model and operating complexity.
Purpose-built student accommodation tied to educational institutions. Typically lease-up seasonality and single-demographic concentration are priced into the premium.
Housing with integrated support services (mental health, addictions, transitional). Often paired with non-profit operator and AHF / CHDP capital.
Rooms with shared kitchen and/or bath facilities. The oldest form of affordable urban rental — still insured by CMHC on a specialized schedule.
Other Shelter Models premium grid.
Since July 14, 2025, retirement, student, SRO, and supportive housing have been consolidated onto a single "Other Shelter Models" premium schedule — materially higher than standard market rental to reflect operating complexity and concentration risk. Retirement housing requires a minimum of 50 units or beds. Student housing is eligible for MLI Select only via the energy-efficiency and accessibility pathways — the affordability pathway is not available.
Premiums below assume EGI was met. Construction sits roughly 0.65% above purchase/refinance across bands, with MLI Select on Other Shelter Models capping near 8.75% at the highest-LTV construction tier.
| LTV Band | Premium |
|---|---|
| ≤65% | 6.30% |
| ≤70% | 6.55% |
| ≤75% | 6.80% |
| ≤80% | 7.30% |
| ≤85% | 7.75% |
| LTV Band | Premium |
|---|---|
| ≤65% | 6.95% |
| ≤70% | 7.20% |
| ≤75% | 7.45% |
| ≤80% | 7.95% |
| ≤85% | 8.75% |
Same surcharges apply
The standard MLI surcharge stack sits on top of the Other Shelter Models band premium.
Per 5 years beyond 25-year amortization.
Applied pro-rata to the non-residential share of the loan.
Applied where CMHC-insured second financing is in place.
Applied when effective gross income falls short of the underwritten figure at stabilization.
Programs that complement the core pathways.
Each of these can stack with one or more of the main programs, supporting preservation of existing affordable stock, energy retrofits, or pre-development costs.
Launched to preserve existing affordable rental stock by enabling non-profit acquisitions before market-rate investors bid up the asset. Helps keep naturally-occurring affordable housing (NOAH) in mission-driven ownership.
Energy retrofit capital for existing affordable housing. Stacks with provincial utility incentives and municipal retrofit programs to deepen the envelope / mechanical / renewable upgrades that MLI Select also rewards.
Pre-development loans that cover feasibility, design, and pre-construction soft costs for affordable housing projects. Interest-free and typically repaid from the construction takeout or forgiven where projects fail to proceed for approved reasons.