Apartment Construction Loan Program: Student Housing

Who can apply

Eligible borrowers include post-secondary educational institutions, for-profit developers, non-profit developers and other levels of government.

All projects must:

1. have at least 5 rental units
2. have a loan size of at least $1 million
3. respond to a need for student housing
4. primary purpose of the project must be considered residential with the non-residential component not to exceed 30% of total gross floor space nor 30% of total cost
5. must be permanent in nature (long-term stay)
6. meet the minimum documentation requirements

Financial viability

1. You must have the financial and operational ability to carry the project without ongoing subsidies and the ability to meet debt coverage ratio requirements.

Affordability

You must meet and maintain one of the following affordability requirements for at least 10 years:

Option 1:

1. At loan initiation, rents for all units or beds must be comparable to existing on-campus student housing in the local market, considering project details.
2. If existing on-campus student housing projects aren’t suitable comparables, the required appraisal or market study (pdf) must show how the project and rents meet student needs and ensure project viability and marketability.
3. As a general guideline, proposed base rents should not exceed the lower end of the local rental market for comparable projects.
4. CMHC will assess the reasonability and acceptability of the proposed base rents as part of application and underwriting process.

Option 2:

1. Alternatively, the requirement may be met if rents are established pursuant to an affordable housing program or other initiative (federal, provincial, territorial or municipal) that approves the proposal and provides support for the development of the student housing project.

Rent increases

1. Rent increases must be capped for a minimum of 10 years from authorized first occupancy (referred to as the affordability period).

Refer to the Program Highlight Sheet (PDF) for more information.

Location

On-campus:

1. self-contained and non-self-contained units are eligible
2. no maximum number of bedrooms for self-contained units

Off-campus:

1. only self-contained units are eligible
2. maximum of 4 bedrooms per unit
3. must be conveniently serviced by public transportation or within walking distance to campus

Note:

For off-campus projects, a post-secondary educational institution must be involved. This may include:

1. developing or managing the project
2. providing capital or operating funding
3. leasing units
4. offering student tenant selection services

Borrower Eligibility

Eligible applicants include but are not limited to: Property Management Experience: at least 5 years’

1. Post-secondary educational institution. experience operating a student housing property of

similar type and size. Alternatively, the borrower must

1. Private entrepreneur/builder/developer. enter into a long-term contract (minimum five years)
2. Public or private non-profit housing organization. with a third party property management firm that has
3. Other levels of government (Indigenous Governing demonstrated five years of successful experience in

Body, Province, Territory, Municipality). operating similar size and type of facilities.

Credit and Repayment History: at least break-even Note: For off-campus projects, a post-secondary cash flow over past 5 years with excellent credit and educational institution must be involved in a repayment history. meaningful capacity, this could include developing or managing the project, providing capital or operating funding, leasing units, or offering student tenant selection services, etc.