Direct Delivery stream

On this page

• How to apply
• Housing conditions
• Climate requirements
• Webinars for applicants

The CHIF Direct Delivery stream is a $1 billion funding stream delivered by Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC) directly to municipalities and other eligible recipients to support pressing infrastructure needs that enable new housing. The Direct Delivery stream is a merit-based contribution funding program, where the selection of projects is based on eligibility criteria and the achievement of a minimum merit score, as well as availability of funding.

How to apply

• Step 1: Read the Applicant guide

  Before applying, applicants are strongly encouraged to consult the Applicant guide. The guide will provide detailed information on CHIF Direct Delivery stream, including applicant and project eligibility requirements, merit criteria, federal requirements, and other conditions of funding.

  Indigenous communities or organizations should refer to the Indigenous Applicant guide as some eligibility requirements differ for Indigenous applicants.

• Step 2: Register to create an account

  Applicants must register for a secure account on the HICC Funding Portal before they can apply for funding from the CHIF. Once applicants have created a secure account, they will be able to access the CHIF application form for completion. The HICC Funding Portal provides applicants with a "My Dashboard" feature. This feature allows applicants to create, save, edit and submit their applications. It also allows applicants to see a list of any other project applications that their organization has submitted for funding.

  Applications will only be accepted electronically through the HICC Funding Portal. Applicants who are unable to apply through the portal are asked to reach out to the CHIF team at chif-fcil@infc.gc.ca.

  See instructions on creating a secure account

• Step 3: Apply for CHIF funding

  Once a secure account in the HICC Funding Portal has been created, the option to apply for CHIF funding becomes available. To do this:

  1. Click on Apply for Funding. Upon doing so, account administrators are provided with a list of HICC funding programs from which to choose.
  2. Click on the Apply button located directly under the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund description.
  3. Click on the stream that you wish to apply to (Capital Project OR Planning Project).
  4. Confirm the "Privacy and Eligibility" statements:
     1. Read the Privacy and Third-Party Notice Statement and confirm that the statement has been read and understood by selecting "Yes".
     2. Read the Organization Eligibility Self-Assessment and confirm that the organization meets all the eligibility requirements for funding under CHIF, as well as that the applicant is duly authorized to submit the application on behalf of the organization by selecting "Yes". Please refer to the CHIF Applicant guide for details on organization eligibility.

  Note: The CHIF application can be saved before submission as many times as necessary. Applicants are not required to complete the application in one session. Referring to the CHIF Step-by-Step Application Instructions (available through the Funding Portal) is highly recommended to ensure that the application is completed correctly.

  Applicants who are unable to apply through the HICC Funding Portal are asked to contact chif-fcil@infc.gc.ca. 

• Step 4: Answer additional questions

  Should an applicant's project be considered eligible, HICC may reach out to obtain additional information.

  Environmental Assessment and Indigenous Consultation Questionnaire

  Applicants may be asked to complete the Environmental Assessment and Indigenous Consultation Questionnaire to determine whether the proposed project must meet any federal environmental or Indigenous program requirements. Should an applicant receive such a request, applicants can use the Environmental Assessment and Indigenous Consultation Guide (coming soon).

• Step 5: Approvals and requirements

  When the CHIF intake closes, HICC will need time to review and assess all applications. Once projects are selected for funding, all applicants will be notified of the results of their project submissions.

  Should a project be selected to receive CHIF funding, HICC will reach out with additional information regarding next steps.

  Note that there are a number of requirements that successful applicants will need to fulfil. For more information on those requirements, please consult the "Federal requirements and reporting" section of the Applicant guide.

Housing conditions

CHIF's Direct Delivery stream requires municipalities to implement measures to promote new housing supply and denser neighbourhoods. To be eligible to receive funding, municipalities and regional governments in the provinces will be required to adopt two conditions under either CHIF stream:

1. Adopt zoning for "four units as-of-right" per lot in all low-density residential areas with municipal servicing (i.e., water and sewer) in communities with populations greater than 30,000; and
2. Implement a three-year freeze on increasing development charges above the rates that were in effect as of April 2, 2024, (when CHIF was initially announced) in municipalities or regional governments with populations greater than 300,000, according to Statistics Canada (see List of municipalities subject to Development Charge freezes in Annex B of the Applicant guide).

Climate requirements

The Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund's (CHIF) climate requirements will help Canadian communities become more resilient to future climate conditions and support Canada's emissions reduction commitments. For more information on the climate requirements of the CHIF program, applicants are strongly encouraged to consult the How-To-Guide: Implementing Climate Requirements. This guidance will provide detailed information on how to implement CHIF climate requirements for both the Direct Delivery and PT Agreement streams, and where to find supporting documents like Guides and Templates.

For more information, contact the Climate Help Desk by: (i) webform; (ii) email: Climate-Infra-Climat@infc.gc.ca; or (iii) toll-free telephone: 1-833-834-0243.

Applicants may also be asked to provide additional information regarding the applicant and the project for further analysis by HICC. Should that be the case, additional instructions will be provided.

Webinars for applicants

Previously recorded webinars are available to applicants. Each webinar provides applicants with a brief overview of the program, eligibility criteria, tips on how to apply and more. 

To receive a link for a recorded webinar session, please email: chifwebinar-webinairefcil@infc.gc.ca. Please indicate the preferred session (general applicants or Indigenous applicants) and the preferred language for viewing the webinar.