The MLI Select points system is the mechanism that determines the financing terms you receive under the CMHC MLI Select program. For Calgary investors and developers, understanding how points are earned, combined, and converted into financing benefits is the single most important technical skill in the MLI Select toolkit. Get the scoring right, and you unlock financing that transforms your deal’s economics. Miss the threshold, and you fall back to conventional commercial terms.
This guide provides a detailed breakdown of how the MLI Select points system works for Calgary properties in 2026, with practical guidance on the most effective scoring strategies.
The Three Pillars of MLI Select Scoring
Every MLI Select application is evaluated across three scoring categories:
1. Affordability (Up to 100 Points)
Affordability points are earned by committing to rent a percentage of units in your Calgary property below the local median market rent — as defined by CMHC’s annually published median rent thresholds by province and territory. The deeper the rent discount and the longer the commitment period, the more points are awarded.
Key characteristics of affordability scoring:
- It is the only pillar capable of reaching 100 points on its own
- Affordability commitments run with the property through the mortgage term
- CMHC publishes updated CPI figures annually — for 2026, lenders can use figures already provided or the newly published CPI
- Affordability and accessibility can be combined to reach 100 points
2. Energy Efficiency (Up to 50 Points)
Energy efficiency points reward buildings that exceed baseline energy performance standards. An NRCan-certified energy advisor must model the building and produce an attestation confirming the performance level achieved. Points scale with improvement over the baseline:
- A 25% improvement in energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions earns 30 points
- Higher tiers of improvement unlock progressively more points up to the 50-point maximum
- Energy efficiency and accessibility can be combined for a maximum of 80 points (not 100)
Critical 2026 Note: CMHC updated its energy efficiency standards in November 2025. Projects wishing to attest under the 2015/2017 building code energy standards must do so by September 30, 2026. After that date, projects must comply with 2020 National Building/Energy Code standards, which set a higher performance bar. Calgary developers with projects in the pipeline should address this timing urgently. See our MLI Select updates page for the latest program changes.
3. Accessibility (Up to 50 Points)
Accessibility points reward barrier-free design and accessible unit features. Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification is one pathway to maximizing accessibility points. For Calgary ground-oriented multi-family projects without elevators, achieving full accessibility scoring on upper floors can be challenging, making accessibility more commonly used as a supplement to affordability or energy efficiency points rather than a primary scoring strategy.
Point Thresholds and Corresponding Financing Benefits
| Total Points | Tier | Max LTV | Max Amortization | Premium Reduction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 Points | Entry | 85% | 40 years | 15% |
| 70 Points | Enhanced | 95% | 45 years | 20% |
| 100 Points | Maximum | 95% | 50 years | 35% |
The Most Common Calgary Scoring Path: 70 Points
For most Calgary investors and small builders, the 70-point Enhanced tier is the most practical target. The most common combination to reach 70 points is:
- Affordability Level 1 (50 points) — committing a percentage of units to below-median rents
- Energy Level 1 (20 points) — meeting a modest energy efficiency improvement threshold
- Total: 70 points → 95% LTV, 45-year amortization, 20% premium discount
This path is accessible for most Calgary multi-unit developments and delivers the bulk of MLI Select’s financing advantages, requiring only a modest energy performance commitment that most modern Calgary construction already achieves.
Reaching 100 Points: The Maximum Incentive Strategy
Reaching 100 points unlocks the full 50-year amortization and maximum premium discount. The two primary paths to 100 points are:
- Affordability alone: Full 100 points through deep, long-term affordability commitments on a majority of units
- Affordability + Accessibility combination: Combining both pillars to reach 100 points
Energy efficiency alone cannot reach 100 points (maximum 50), and the energy + accessibility combination caps at 80 points. Affordability is therefore essential for anyone targeting the maximum financing tier.
Using Our MLI Select Property Scoring Resource
New Homes Alberta has published a dedicated MLI Select Property Scoring guide that walks through the scoring process for both new construction and existing Calgary properties. We also provide personalized scoring assessments as part of our buyer consultation process.
Key Internal Resources
- About the MLI Select Program
- Step-by-Step MLI Select Guide
- Current MLI Select Projects in Calgary
- Multi-Family Properties in Calgary
- CMHC MLI Select Updates 2026
Official CMHC scoring information is available at the CMHC MLI Select program page. For energy modeling requirements, NRCan’s energy advisor registry lists certified professionals who can provide attestations for Calgary projects.
Get Your Property Scored
Call New Homes Alberta at +1 403-305-9167 or book a discovery call to have your Calgary property or project evaluated against the MLI Select scoring framework. We will tell you exactly which tier you can target and what steps are needed to maximize your financing incentives.
