Important dates
Application deadline: November 30
Applications through the Alberta Municipal Water Wastewater Partnership and Water for Life must be submitted by November 30 each year to be considered for funding.
Funding decisions are anticipated in the spring of the following year, subject to provincial and federal approvals.
Overview
The Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund (CHIF) provides federal funding for infrastructure that supports housing.
The Government of Alberta has signed an agreement with the Government of Canada that provides up to $513.7 million in federal CHIF funding for eligible infrastructure projects in Alberta.
Eligible municipal projects will be primarily funded through the:
- Alberta Municipal Water Wastewater Partnership (AMWWP)
- Water for Life Program
Projects supported by another eligible provincial funding source may also be considered if the applicant has secured the required funding to meet CHIF cost-sharing requirements.
All projects must:
- meet applicable provincial requirements
- meet the eligibility requirements of the Canada-Alberta CHIF Agreement
- receive provincial and federal approval
Funding
CHIF funding will be combined with provincial and applicant contributions to support eligible project costs.
The maximum federal contribution depends on population. Federal contributions are not guaranteed funding amounts.
For eligible municipal and regional projects, CHIF can fund:
- up to 50% of eligible project costs for eligible applicants with populations of 30,000 or fewer
- up to 40% of eligible project costs for other eligible applicants
Municipalities are:
- required to contribute their applicable share of eligible project costs
- responsible for ineligible project costs
Provincial funding
For projects funded through AMWWP or Water for Life, the provincial funding allocation will align (where required), with CHIF cost-sharing requirements.
This approach will help:
- maximize available federal and provincial funding
- support a greater number of eligible infrastructure projects
Minimum Alberta contribution
For projects where the applicant is a municipal government, Alberta is required to contribute a minimum of 33.33% of eligible project costs, unless otherwise agreed to by the Government of Canada and the Government of Alberta.
Projects supported through another provincial funding source must have sufficient eligible provincial funding — together with the required applicant contribution — to meet CHIF cost-sharing requirements. Provincial contributions under AMWWP and Water for Life are subject to project type, eligibility and funding maximums listed in each program. Projects may use another provincial funding source outside of AMWWP and Water for Life to meet the minimum 33.33% requirement.
Final provincial and federal funding amounts will be confirmed through the project evaluation and approval process.
Cost-sharing example
For a project with $10 million in eligible costs in a municipality with a population of 30,000 or fewer, funding could include:
- up to $5 million from the Government of Canada (50%)
- approximately $3.33 million from the Government of Alberta (33.33%)
- approximately $1.67 million from the municipality (16.67%)
The municipality would also be responsible for any project costs that are not eligible for funding.
This example is for illustration only. Actual federal, provincial and applicant contributions will depend on the applicant, project eligibility, applicable provincial funding program and project approval.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants
Eligible applicants and projects can access federal CHIF funding primarily through the provincial AMWWP and Water for Life programs.
Learn more about eligibility:
Other eligible applicants
Applicants and projects may also be considered if an eligible applicant has secured eligible provincial funding through another source — together with its required applicant contribution — to meet CHIF cost-sharing requirements.
Before preparing a submission
Applicants should contact their regional office to confirm eligibility and the appropriate submission process.
Eligible projects
Potential CHIF projects must meet the eligibility requirements of the applicable provincial funding program and CHIF.
Eligible projects may include:
- drinking water infrastructure
- water intakes, transmission and supply lines, water treatment plants, storage reservoirs
- wastewater infrastructure
- sewage treatment plants, lagoons, main transmission lines, lift stations, force mains
- regional infrastructure
- new regional systems, system extensions, eligible upgrades to existing regional water and wastewater assets
- pre-construction planning
- feasibility studies and engineering designs for future capital projects
Projects supported through another eligible provincial funding source may also be considered if the project meets CHIF eligibility requirements, including the required provincial cost-sharing contribution and connection to housing.
Meeting provincial program eligibility does not automatically make a project eligible for CHIF funding. Projects must also meet applicable federal requirements.
Housing connection
Applicants must demonstrate how the infrastructure investment supports housing.
This may include:
- how the project removes an infrastructure barrier to planned housing development
- how the project creates or preserves water or wastewater capacity for housing
- how many existing housing units are directly served by the infrastructure
- what housing growth, servicing or capacity information is available to support the project
Applicants should provide reasonable and supportable information to demonstrate the connection between the infrastructure project and housing outcomes.
How to apply
You must apply to a provincial funding program which aligns funding with CHIF.
Do not apply directly to the Government of Canada for funding through Alberta's CHIF Provincial and Territorial Stream.
Step 1. Determine the eligible provincial funding
Applicants who are eligible for AMWWP or Water for Life should apply through their existing provincial application process for CHIF.
Applicants that have secured eligible provincial funding through another source – together with their required applicant contribution – should contact their regional office for information on the CHIF application process.
Step 2: Organize the application package
Applicants should collect the project information required to support the AMWWP or Water for Life provincial application package for CHIF, including:
- project need and scope
- engineering and technical information
- project schedule and readiness
- project costs and funding
- required supporting documentation
Supplementary CHIF application information
Applicants must provide the supplementary information required to assess the project for CHIF funding by completing the required CHIF Application form.
Guidance documents are available to help applicants:
- understand CHIF requirements
- complete the supplementary application form
Contact your regional office for more information.
Important for Alberta applicants
Some national CHIF guidance materials contain requirements that are not part of the signed Canada-Alberta CHIF Agreement. As a result, Alberta applicants are not required to:
- adopt four-units-as-of-right zoning
- implement a development charge freeze
- comply with federal housing policy or low-carbon concrete requirements unless specifically identified in Alberta program materials
If there is any discrepancy, the signed Canada-Alberta CHIF Agreement and Alberta program requirements prevail over the national federal funding program requirements.
Applicants with questions about Alberta-specific program requirements should contact their regional contact before preparing their submission.
Before you submit an application
- confirm that the applicant and project are eligible under the applicable provincial funding program
- clearly define the project need, scope, cost, schedule and readiness
- identify and support the connection between the infrastructure investment and housing outcomes
- confirm project funding sources, including provincial funding already secured (where applicable)
- do not assume that a project or project costs are eligible for CHIF funding until eligibility has been confirmed
- contact your regional office early to discuss unusual funding or project components that may affect eligibility
Step 3. Submit the application package
Submit the completed application and supporting documents through the applicable provincial process.
Do not submit a CHIF application directly to the Government of Canada.
After you apply
Transportation and Economic Corridors (TEC) will:
- assess projects through the applicable provincial program process
- identify potential projects for CHIF consideration
Applicants may be contacted to provide clarification or additional information to confirm provincial and CHIF eligibility.
For projects identified as potential CHIF candidates, TEC will:
- confirm the additional project and housing information required for CHIF
- assess and prioritize eligible projects
- submit selected projects to the Government of Canada for federal review and approval
Meeting eligibility requirements does not guarantee funding.
Contact your regional office for more information.
Reporting
Projects approved for CHIF funding will be subject to applicable provincial and federal funding terms and conditions.
Funding recipients may be required to provide information on:
- project progress and expenditures
- claims and supporting financial records
- project schedules and cash flows
- infrastructure and housing outcomes
- material changes to the project
- other information required under the applicable funding agreement
Detailed reporting requirements will be provided to successful applicants as part of the funding agreement.
Grant recipients
Information on approved CHIF projects and funding recipients will be published as projects are approved and announced.
Contact
CHIF Program
If you have questions about eligibility, funding or applying, email with the Alberta CHIF Program Team: [email protected].
Provincial water grant funding
If you have questions about applying to a provincial water grant funding program, connect with your local Transportation and Economic Corridors regional office.