CanadaWhat is social housing and how does the federal government fund it?
Social housing in Canada refers to rental housing provided at below-market rents to low- and moderate-income households, and the federal government funds it primarily through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) under the National Housing Act.
What the Law Says
The National Housing Act gives the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) the authority to support social and affordable housing across Canada.
Social housing is not defined in a single federal statute, but it is widely understood in Canada as rental housing owned or managed by non-profit organizations, co-operatives, or governments, and rented to eligible low- and moderate-income households at rents set well below market rates — often based on income (e.g., 30% of household income).
The federal government’s role in funding social housing is carried out mainly through CMHC, which operates under the authority of the National Housing Act. This Act empowers CMHC to make expenditures for housing programs that include both social housing and affordable housing.
Funding has historically taken several forms: capital contributions for construction or renovation, operating subsidies, rent supplements, and more recently, the National Housing Strategy (launched in 2017) uses multi-year agreements with provinces and territories to support new builds and repairs.
Statutory TextCMHC may make expenditures for housing programs including social housing and affordable housing.
— National Housing Act, s. 61 — Affordable housing programs
What to Do
Contact your provincial or territorial housing authority to learn about local social housing eligibility and waitlists.
Apply through a local housing provider (e.g., non-profit, co-op, or municipal housing corporation).
Check CMHC’s website for current federal housing initiatives and funding programs.
If developing or managing social housing, explore CMHC’s program guides and application processes for federal support.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.