Dreaming of building or purchasing a multi-unit rental property in Canada with maximum affordability, energy efficiency, or accessibility?
At Citadel Mortgages, we make it easy for developers and investors to access CMHC MLI Select financing—with expert guidance, flexible terms, and insured mortgages structured for long-term rental success.
🏘️ Up to 95% Loan-to-Value (LTV) financing available.
🌱 Incentives for energy efficiency, affordability, and accessibility.
⏳ Up to 50-year amortization to increase cash flow.
💰 Lower interest rates and insurance premiums through CMHC backing.
📋 Citadel Mortgages provides full-service application support and deal structuring.
The CMHC MLI Select is a revolutionary mortgage insurance product from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) that provides flexible, long-term financing for multi-unit residential rental properties. The program is designed to promote sustainable housing solutions by offering powerful incentives to developers and investors who build or maintain:
Affordable rental units
Energy-efficient buildings
Accessible housing options
The program continues to play a key role in supporting Canada’s housing goals and offers significant financial advantages to borrowers who meet the MLI Select scoring criteria. Citadel Mortgages’ commercial lending department leads the way in helping our clients get approved.
This program is tailored for:
🏗️ Real Estate Developers: Building or redeveloping apartment buildings or rental housing.
🏢 Property Owners & Investors: Seeking to purchase or refinance multi-unit properties.
🏠 Non-Profits & Co-ops: Focused on social housing and long-term affordability.
🎓 Student & Seniors Housing Operators: Seeking cost-effective solutions for purpose-built accommodations.
Whether you’re constructing a new build, purchasing an existing building, or refinancing a portfolio, Citadel Mortgages has the expertise to navigate the MLI Select landscape.
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| ✅ Up to 95% LTV | Preserve more capital, reduce equity requirement |
| ✅ Up to 50-Year Amortization | Maximize monthly cash flow |
| ✅ CMHC Insurance | Access to preferred lender rates, reduced risk |
| ✅ Premium Discounts | For energy-efficient buildings and green upgrades |
| ✅ Long-Term Support | Perfect for hold-and-rent investment strategy |
| ✅ Flexible Refinance Options | Restructure existing debt with better terms |
To qualify, your project must score a minimum of 50 points across three pillars:
Offer 20%+ of units below 30% of median renter income
Offer 10%+ units below 60% of median renter income
Maintain affordability for 20–40 years (longer = more points)
25% improvement in energy consumption and GHG = 30 pts
40% improvement or Net-Zero Ready = 50 pts
Use of certified energy modelling and as-built documentation
20%+ units designed for accessibility
Barrier-free common areas
Buildings must meet provincial accessibility standards
📝 You only need to qualify under one category, but scoring in multiple categories increases flexibility and appeal to lenders.
MLI Select is designed for multi-unit residential rental buildings with five or more units. These may include:
Apartment complexes (5+ units)
Student housing residences
Seniors’ residences (unlicensed care)
Affordable housing projects
Purpose-built rentals
Mixed-use buildings with a majority residential component
🔍 Note: Co-ownership, single-family homes, and short-term rentals (Airbnb) are not eligible.
Citadel Mortgages ensures your file is complete and compliant. Required docs may include:
Proof of affordability (rent rolls, tenant income analysis)
Energy audit and modelling reports
Building plans and specs showing accessibility features
Development pro forma and construction budgets
Borrower financials, net worth statements, and corporate docs
Environmental reports (Phase I or II if required)
Appraisal and property condition report
We streamline the process with our in-house team and lender network to avoid delays and ensure clean submission.
At Citadel Mortgages, we specialize in structuring and securing complex multi-unit financing deals through CMHC programs. Our dedicated commercial team offers:
We handle everything from scoring strategy to document preparation, lender selection, and CMHC submission.
We help you model different affordability, energy, and accessibility scenarios to optimize your score and qualify for better terms.
We work with CMHC-approved lenders across Canada to match you with the right financing partner.
Our underwriters understand your business model and help you secure funding faster.
With interest rates expected to stabilize and affordability a national priority, MLI Select is becoming a go-to tool for:
Offsetting higher construction costs with better mortgage terms
Attracting ESG investors through green-certified housing
Repositioning existing buildings for long-term ROI
Start with a free consultation to review your project and eligibility.
We’ll help you choose the right affordability, energy, or accessibility path.
We guide you through assembling all required documents and third-party reports.
We connect you to lenders who are actively issuing MLI Select-insured loans.
Once reviewed by our team, your file is submitted to CMHC for conditional approval.
Upon meeting all conditions, your mortgage funds, and your project moves forward.
Yes! MLI Select offers longer amortizations, higher LTVs, and premium discounts for green and affordable housing.
There is no set minimum, but most lenders prefer loans over $1 million for multi-unit financing.
Absolutely. New construction projects that meet eligibility can benefit the most from longer amortization and higher leverage.
No prior real estate experience is required; however, lenders may prefer applicants with experience in property management or development. At Citadel Mortgages, we work closely with first-time investors and support your application with strong documentation and expert underwriting.
Yes! First-time rental investors can qualify for MLI Select as long as the property meets eligibility criteria and scores at least 50 points. Our team will guide you through every step, from initial assessment to closing.
Yes, mixed-use properties are eligible if at least 50% of the gross floor area and revenue is residential rental. Common examples include buildings with ground-floor commercial and upper-floor apartments.
The full approval timeline can vary, but it typically takes 6 to 12 weeks once your file is submitted to CMHC. Citadel Mortgages helps streamline this by ensuring a clean, complete application package upfront.
Absolutely. You can refinance multi-unit buildings through MLI Select to access better rates, longer amortization, or unlock equity for future projects—especially if your building meets energy or affordability criteria.
If you’re building, buying, or refinancing a multi-unit rental property in 2025, the CMHC MLI Select program offers unmatched advantages: higher leverage, longer amortization, and lower premiums—all in exchange for making a difference in Canada’s rental housing landscape.
At Citadel Mortgages, we believe success comes from strategy and structure. That’s why we guide you through every step—from understanding how to earn the right score to preparing the strongest file possible for CMHC.