We have created a new housing incentive program to assist housing developers build more housing sooner. The Multi-Family Sustainable Housing Infrastructure Program (MSHIP) gives funding to developers to help cover the costs of local water, wastewater, and drainage infrastructure. This funding supports the construction of high-density, sustainable multi-family housing in areas of the city where the current infrastructure can’t handle new development, preventing new housing from being built.
Timeline
- Summer/Fall 2025 - Application intake window
- Fall/Winter 2025 - Project adjudication period
- Winter 2025 - Projects to receive conditional letters of approval
- September 30, 2026 - Deadline for projects to obtain a building permit
Funding
- The total budget for MSHIP is $12 million, funded from the third Housing Accelerator Fund installment.
- Successful projects can receive up to $10,000 per unit to help cover eligible infrastructure costs.
- Funding will be limited to either the total cost of the required infrastructure or $3 million per project — whichever is less.
- Projects that include affordable housing (defined as 30% of units rented for less than 80% of the area's median market rent for at least 20 years) can also apply for the Housing Accelerator Fund Capital Grant Program in addition to MSHIP. However, the combined funding from both programs cannot exceed $5 million per project.
- Funding approvals will be conditional upon the City receiving the third installment of HAF funding, expected in January 2026.
Eligibility
Eligible investments
- Eligible investments include water mains, wastewater and land drainage sewer mains and related infrastructure work.
Eligibility criteria
- The proposal must involve local water or sewer infrastructure investment that is required to support new multi-family housing with at least 50 units.
- The proposal must support housing development that can get a building permit by September 30, 2026.
- The proposal must support new multi-family housing developments that are situated:
- Along Corridors identified in Complete Communities 2.0
- Within the newly adopted Malls and Corridors Plan Development Overlay
- Near future frequent and rapid transit lines
- Near a transit station along the Southwest Rapid Transit Corridor, or
- On surplus City land identified for affordable housing projects
- View eligible locations on the Housing Accelerator Fund map
- Proposals must clearly demonstrate that the existing City water and/or sewer infrastructure servicing capacity for the property in question is a barrier to allowing the housing development to occur, to the satisfaction of the Director of the Water & Waste Department.
- The proposal must include a servicing report, stamped and signed by a qualified engineer, which shall outline the infrastructure upgrades required to support the housing development to the satisfaction of the Director of the Water & Waste Department.
- Projects must include a minimum of 10% of the housing units rented at 30% of the median renter income level for the geographic area for at least 10 years, in line with CMHC’s Mortgage Loan Insurance Criteria program.
- Projects that include a higher level of affordable housing involving at least 30% of the total units rented at less than 80% of median market for the geographic area may be eligible to apply for additional capital grants under a future Housing Accelerator Fund capital grant program or Tax Increment Financing programs.
Proposal selection process
Projects will be evaluated by a review committee consisting of members of the City of Winnipeg, as well as external stakeholders, such as the Province of Manitoba, as required.
Evaluation criteria
As overall program funding will be limited, individual proposals will be evaluated and ranked against one another other using the following weighted criteria:
Readiness to construct: 50%
The ability of a project to proceed on accelerated timelines is a key evaluation factor. This includes:
- Assessment of operational feasibility, such as securing capital and operational funding.
- Evaluation of the developer's and/or partner’s experience.
- Demonstrated ability to obtain a building permit by September 30, 2026.
- Projects with required zoning approvals, construction drawings, and plans in place will be prioritized over those without.
Social & environmental impact: 20%
Projects will be evaluated based on their impact, with emphases on meeting goals related to affordable housing and reconciliation with Indigenous partners. The social impact of a project will be assessed by considering elements including:
- Indigenous-led projects
- Non-profit-led projects
- Surpassing minimum affordability requirements
- Inclusion of accessible housing units
- Surpassing typical standards for energy efficiency
Financial feasibility & efficiency of funding: 20%
As the City is aiming to deliver a target number of housing units within a short timeframe, financial feasibility and efficiency of Housing Accelerator Fund dollars will be evaluated to maximize impact. This will include:
- How many units will the project create
- Funding request per unit
- Determining if the project needs funding, or if it could move forward without additional funds
Planning alignment: 10%
Evaluation of each project will include the degree to which they align with the following City of Winnipeg policies: