For Quebec developers and rental building owners, CMHC’s APH Select program is a concrete way to lower financing costs while improving a building’s energy performance. Still unfamiliar to many in the industry, it ties energy efficiency directly to substantial mortgage advantages. Understanding how it works has become essential, especially with the changes scheduled for September 2026 now approaching.
What is the APH Select program?
A CMHC program for rental buildings
APH Select was launched in March 2022 by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). It is aimed at owners and developers of multi-unit residential buildings with five units or more, and its purpose is to encourage the creation and preservation of affordable, accessible and energy-efficient housing across Canada.
In practical terms, APH Select relaxes the usual mortgage loan insurance rules for the construction, purchase or refinancing of rental buildings. Those flexibilities translate into better financing terms, available to projects that commit to meeting specific performance criteria.
The three criteria behind the points system
The program runs on a scoring system built around three distinct criteria:
- Affordability: the share of units rented below market thresholds
- Energy efficiency: how much the building’s energy performance improves against an established baseline
- Accessibility: the inclusion of units designed for people with reduced mobility
A minimum of 50 points is required to access the program’s benefits, and the higher the score, the more generous those benefits become. One change is worth noting: since June 2024, a project can no longer reach the maximum of 100 points on energy efficiency alone. Commitments must now be made in at least two of the three categories.
Who can access the program?
APH Select is open to owners and developers of multi-unit residential buildings with five units or more, whether new construction or existing buildings. Applications go to CMHC through the developer’s financial institution, along with the required documentation: notably the energy reports and simulations prepared by a qualified engineer or architect.
The APH Select energy efficiency component: how do you earn points?
New buildings: outperforming the building code
For new construction, points under the energy efficiency component depend on how far the project exceeds the minimum requirements of the National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings (NECB) currently in force. The improvement required ranges from 20% to 40% above code, depending on the point level targeted.
The greater the improvement, the more points awarded. This tiered progression pushes developers to take energy performance well beyond the minimum standard, which delivers lasting environmental benefits on top of the immediate financial ones.
Existing buildings: improving on current performance
For existing buildings, the logic is different. The baseline is not the building code but the rental building’s actual performance before the work begins. The engineer or architect retained on the project must first measure that baseline, then demonstrate that the planned renovations will improve the building’s energy efficiency by 15% to 40% relative to it.
This approach is especially attractive to owners of aging buildings with weak energy performance. Such buildings usually hold significant room for improvement, which makes it easier to clear the thresholds needed to accumulate points and unlock the program’s benefits.
Energy simulation: a mandatory step
Whatever the nature of the project, CMHC requires an energy simulation to validate points under the energy efficiency component. The exercise uses specialized software to simulate the building’s performance and compare the proposed project against the applicable baseline. The report must be produced by a qualified engineer or architect and submitted to CMHC with the application. Plan this energy modelling step early, ideally during the design phase, so architectural and technical choices can be optimized around the performance thresholds you are aiming for.
The program’s financial benefits
A loan-to-value ratio of up to 95%
One of the most significant advantages of APH Select is a loan-to-value ratio of up to 95%. Developers can therefore finance up to 95% of their project’s value, which sharply reduces the equity they need to put in. With construction costs on the rise, this is a decisive financial lever for the viability of multi-unit rental projects in Quebec.
Amortization periods of up to 50 years
The program also allows the mortgage amortization period to be stretched to 50 years, and in some cases 55 years. A longer amortization lowers monthly payments and improves the debt coverage ratio, which makes financing easier to secure and strengthens the project’s operating profitability over the short and medium term.
Lower mortgage insurance premiums
On top of these financing terms, APH Select reduces mortgage loan insurance premiums. Normally calculated as a percentage of the amount borrowed, these premiums are cut for projects that reach a sufficient score. The reduction translates directly into savings on the total cost of the project and improves its long-term return.
The changes taking effect in September 2026
New energy requirements for new construction
As of September 30, 2026, CMHC will update the energy efficiency criteria that apply to new construction under APH Select. The new requirements will be based on the 2020 National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings (NECB) and the 2020 National Building Code (NBC), both considerably more demanding than the previous editions.
In practice, any project whose application is submitted after that date will have to demonstrate its energy performance against these newer codes, which raises the construction standard accordingly. Projects still in planning should factor the transition in now to avoid costly adjustments later.
Why you should plan for these changes now
The September 2026 update is not an administrative formality. It changes how buildings are designed, which equipment is selected and how construction is carried out. Developers who fail to anticipate it risk ending up with projects built to outdated standards, unable to reach the thresholds that unlock the program’s benefits.
Building the new requirements into the design phase is also far more effective and far cheaper than trying to meet them mid-construction. Decisions made early, such as the heating system, the insulation or the windows, have a major impact on the building’s final energy performance.
What this means for developers and owners
For developers with projects underway or in planning, the message is clear: act now. In concrete terms, that means retaining an energy simulation expert to assess the project against the new codes, identify the adjustments needed and make sure the application will meet CMHC requirements as of September 2026.
For owners of existing buildings, the window is still open. Renovation projects can continue to rely on the current criteria until the transition date, which is a chance to maximize the program’s benefits before the new requirements take effect.
How ORT Énergie can help
Delivering the energy modelling CMHC requires
Energy modelling sits at the heart of every APH Select application involving the energy efficiency component. ORT Énergie has the expertise to run these simulations to CMHC standards, whether for a new rental building or an existing one undergoing renovation. The exercise confirms the project’s eligibility and, just as importantly, lets technical choices be optimized from the design stage to maximize the score.
Identifying the levers that maximize your score
Beyond the modelling itself, ORT Énergie helps developers pinpoint the most cost-effective improvements. Not every energy efficiency investment moves the APH Select score to the same degree. An expert eye makes it possible to prioritize the measures that deliver the best return in points earned, energy saved and dollars spent.
Tapping into complementary funding programs
APH Select can be combined to good effect with other funding programs available in Quebec. The ÉcoPerformance program, extended to March 31, 2027, offers grants for energy efficiency and fuel-switching projects in the commercial, institutional and municipal sectors. Hydro-Québec’s LogisVert program likewise provides financial support for installing heat pumps and energy-efficient equipment, and now extends to multi-unit buildings.
Identifying and stacking these programs takes a detailed grasp of eligibility criteria and current timelines. ORT Énergie can help you structure your application to draw the most from the programs available, lowering the net cost of your energy performance investments.
Conclusion
APH Select is a rare convergence of energy performance and tangible financial reward. For Quebec developers and rental building owners, it offers a direct route to better financing, provided the energy efficiency criteria set by CMHC are met.
The changes coming in September 2026 add urgency. Projects that prepare for them now will hold a meaningful competitive edge, both in energy performance and in access to financing.
In that context, working with an energy efficiency expert is not a luxury but a strategic necessity. A rigorous energy simulation carried out up front maximizes the score, anticipates the new NECB 2020 requirements and builds a solid case for CMHC.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Which types of buildings are eligible for the APH Select program?
APH Select is aimed at multi-unit residential buildings with five units or more. It covers both new construction and existing buildings undergoing major renovation work. Applications may relate to the construction, purchase or refinancing of these rental buildings, provided the project meets the minimum scoring criteria set by CMHC.
How many points do you need to access the program’s benefits?
A minimum of 50 points is required to access the program’s basic benefits. Points are earned through the commitments made in the program’s three components: affordability, energy efficiency and accessibility. The higher the score, the better the financing terms, particularly the loan-to-value ratio, the amortization period and the reduction in mortgage insurance premiums.
Is energy simulation mandatory for every project?
Yes. Energy simulation is mandatory for any project seeking points under the energy efficiency component of APH Select. It must be carried out by a qualified engineer or architect and submitted to CMHC with the application. For existing buildings, an assessment of current performance is also required before the post-renovation simulation can be run.
What deadlines apply to an APH Select application?
An APH Select application must be submitted within one year of the work being completed. That makes it well worth bringing an energy modelling expert in early, right from the design phase, so the project is built to meet the program’s criteria. Waiting until construction is finished leaves very little room for optimization.
Further reading
