Where solutions meet support

Many nonprofit and community housing projects stall before they begin. Early-stage activities like feasibility studies, land due diligence, rezoning, and planning approvals are essential to de-risk projects and demonstrate viability. Without this proof of feasibility, nonprofits cannot access the government or institutional funding required. Yet these early costs are rarely funded, leaving many providers caught in a catch-22: they need feasibility work to unlock capital, but lack the money to complete it. As a result, promising projects are delayed, downsized, or abandoned — slowing the creation of affordable housing when it’s needed most.

The First Mile funding stream covers these critical early-stage costs needed to move projects forward. First Mile funding removes barriers at the earliest phase of development — where vision, feasibility, and alignment must come together. This early investment helps housing providers de-risk their projects, secure approvals, and unlock long-term financing and government support.

Even the strongest nonprofit housing projects face unexpected hurdles in the final stages. Many projects are missing the last 5–10% of capital that makes the difference between completion and cancellation. Others need additional investment to embed deeper affordability, so that homes remain accessible to low-income tenants for the long term. Nonprofits also struggle to acquire land or properties in competitive markets because they lack flexible, rapid access to capital. When projects are vulnerable to delays, scaling back, or even collapse, communities lose affordable units, nonprofits lose credibility, and scarce public resources are wasted.

Last Mile funding provides flexible, catalytic capital to close final funding gaps in nonprofit and community housing projects. By covering the last dollars needed for construction completion, critical upgrades, timely acquisitions, or to deepen long-term affordability, funding ensures that strong projects move forward instead of stalling at the final stage.

Across Canada, safe and affordable housing is increasingly out of reach. Rising rents, limited supply, and stagnant wages mean that even working households are being priced out of their communities. A sudden life change — such as job loss, illness, or relationship breakdown — can quickly spiral into crisis, leaving households at risk of eviction or homelessness.

The Tenant Stability funding stream unlocks existing rental housing and creates clear pathways to housing stability for vulnerable households. By partnering with trusted nonprofit organizations, Tenant Stability funding enables innovative, proven strategies — such as rental assistance, eviction prevention programs, and tenant support services — to reduce barriers to housing and empower households to move forward with dignity.

Learn More About the Tenant Stability Fund