CMHC SOLUTIONS LAB
The Challenge and the Opportunity
Nearly one-third of Canada’s faith properties are at risk of closure in this decade. Aging congregations, financial strain, and deferred maintenance mean many properties could be lost to private development.
At the same time, Canada faces an urgent housing crisis. The Canadian Urban Institute notes that these faith properties often occupy central, well-located sites—ideal for affordable housing and community hubs. Repurposing them can preserve cultural value, address housing shortages, and revitalize neighbourhoods.
The CMHC Solutions Lab
With funding from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) through the Solutions Lab, Relèven and our partner Affordable360 are pioneering a method to identify faith properties with high potential for affordable housing.
Our project provides:
Visioning Support – helping religious congregations imagine new futures for their properties.
High-Level Feasibility Assessments – clarifying redevelopment potential.
Partnership Building – connecting faith communities with municipalities, developers, service agencies, and funders.
This work bridges the gap between those with re-purposable land and those committed to building housing and social infrastructure.
Six Municipalities Engaged
Over the next 8 months, Releven and Affordable360 will host local engagement sessions in partnership with CMHC across Canada:
Town of Caledon – Sept 25
Waterloo – Oct 28
Calgary – Nov 25
Edmonton – Nov 27
Vancouver – Spring 2026
St. John’s – Spring 2026
These sessions will convene faith leaders, municipalities, housing providers, and community organizations to spark new projects and partnerships.
proven impact
Relèven has already demonstrated the power of this approach:
Supported 53 faith properties towards redevelopment.
Unlocked $123 million in equity for community impact.
Enabled planning for 1,000+ affordable housing units nationwide.
The Winnipeg Faith Properties Roundtable alone identified four projects with potential for 800 new mixed-use and affordable housing units, proving how collaboration can unlock hidden opportunities.
Join the Movement
This project is funded by the Government of Canada, through CMHC Solutions Lab, and delivered in partnership with Affordable360.
Together, we are ensuring that underutilized faith properties become anchors of housing, community, and renewal—rather than lost opportunities.
