About the Canadian Forces Housing Agency
A Special Operating Agency within DND, delivering housing solutions for CAF members and their families nationwide.
The Canadian Forces Housing Agency (CFHA) is a Special Operating Agency established in 1995 to deliver the Defence Residential Housing Program. The Agency operates entirely within the Department of National Defence (DND) with increased authorities and administrative flexibilities, allowing for more responsive and tailored housing solutions.
Supported by approximately 390 staff across Canada, including its head office in Ottawa, CFHA manages, maintains, and allocates a housing portfolio of more than 11,700 residential housing units (RHU) spanning 27 locations nationwide, contributing to the resiliency of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and their families.
On this page
Mandate
CFHA performs an important role within DND, and it is accountable to the Deputy Minister and the Chief of Defense Staff as per our Charter, respectively, through its dual mandate, to:
Dual mandate full text
- Provide housing solutions to support the current and future needs of the Canadian Armed Forces.
- Ensure assets are well-maintained.
Mission
To meet the evolving housing needs of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and contribute to the quality of life of CAF members and their families.
Vision
To be a leader in the provision of diverse and sustainable Crown housing.
Values
Our values serve as fundamental beliefs shaping our organization’s culture, behaviour and decisions. They serve as a compass for ethical choices and goal achievement, establishing a strong foundation, building trust, and navigating the modern marketplace with integrity and purpose.
- Customer-centred
- Commitment
- Teamwork
- Respect
- Agility
More about CFHA’s mandate, mission, vision, and values, can be found in Building our Future: 2025-2029 Strategic Plan.
Our guiding principles
These principles are designed to complement our foundational corporate values and be the platform to enable the Canadian Forces Housing Agency to achieve its vision:
Innovation
We prioritize innovation as a core principle, encouraging employees to continuously explore creative solutions when facing challenges and opportunities. This comes with appropriate and informed risk-taking.
Leadership
We are dedicated to cultivating leadership at all levels, acknowledging its pivotal role in our organizational success, and fostering a supportive work environment.
Budget
CFHA uses revenue generated from shelter charges to fully fund its operations as per Vote 1 (operating expenditures). Additional funding is required through Vote 5 (capital expenditures) to support capital investments such as construction of new RHUs.
The future of military housing
DND is investing in its housing portfolio to meet the operational requirements of the CAF. Through the Residential Housing Response Plan (RHRP), CFHA is working with public and private sector partners to design and construct new RHUs to address the housing needs of military personnel. To complement brick‑and‑mortar solutions, the Agency is also exploring alternative solutions through private‑sector partnerships and supporting other federal housing initiatives that will contribute to housing for CAF members.
New construction
Through Our North, Strong and Free: A Renewed Vision for Canada’s Defence (ONSAF) and Budget 2024, more than $1.4 billion in capital funding has been allocated to CFHA to build up to 1,400 new RHUs and renovate 2,500 military housing across Canada over the next 20 years. Additional resources are now in planning for the delivery of up to 7,500 new units.
The Residential Portfolio Capital Investment Plan (RPCIP) construction program is a major component of the broader RHRP.
- The first phase of the construction program was initially launched in fiscal year 2024-25 to deliver 668 RHUs and has been updated to now deliver over 800 units at nine priority locations by 2030. The focus is on one- and two-bedroom units housed in a mix of rowhouses and medium density apartment buildings.
- The second phase of the program was announced in fiscal year 2025-26 to deliver thousands more RHUs at every permanent Agency site—25 locations in total. This phase will offer a wider range of housing types to meet the evolving demographic trends within the CAF, with a focus on high-density midrise apartment buildings.
Proposed new Residential Housing Units per location
| Location | Phase 1 | Phase 2 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bagotville | N/A | 240 | 240 |
| Borden | 120 | 210 | 330 |
| Cold Lake | N/A | 232 | 232 |
| Comox | N/A | 212 | 212 |
| Dundurn | N/A | 40 | 40 |
| Edmonton | 72 | 1,010 | 1,082 |
| Esquimalt | 244 | 200 | 444 |
| Gagetown | 36 | 656 | 692 |
| Gander | N/A | 18 | 18 |
| Goose Bay | N/A | 24 | 24 |
| Greenwood | N/A | 208 | 208 |
| Halifax | 48 | 400 | 448 |
| Kingston | 60 | 960 | 1,020 |
| Montreal | N/A | 200 | 200 |
| Moose Jaw | N/A | 24 | 24 |
| North Bay | N/A | 78 | 78 |
| Ottawa | N/A | 280 | 280 |
| Petawawa | 80 | 1,114 | 1,194 |
| Shilo | N/A | 184 | 184 |
| Suffield | N/A | 12 | 12 |
| Trenton | 92 | 384 | 476 |
| Valcartier | 54 | 1,120 | 1,174 |
| Wainwright | N/A | 94 | 94 |
| Winnipeg | N/A | 240 | 240 |
| Yellowknife | N/A | 32 | 32 |
Disclaimer: Data represented in this table is estimated and will continue to fluctuate as studies, design, construction and other residential housing programs evolve to meet the needs of the CAF. In some locations, overplanning was built-in to manage delivery risk and provide national flexibility as projects advance. This page is updated regularly; however, plans may be revised between updates.
Acquisitions and leases
CFHA is exploring alternative housing solutions through lease agreements, acquisitions, and other pilot initiatives.
Currently, DND has acquired two properties through this approach:
- Esquimalt: A 37-unit, privately developed apartment complex was acquired minutes from CFB Esquimalt.
- Comox: A 52‑unit apartment building was acquired in Courtenay to house CAF members posted to 19 Wing Comox. This acquisition followed the Esquimalt purchase and used the same streamlined, multi‑departmental approach that shortened the process to 12 weeks.
As part of its efforts in meeting the housing needs of CAF members and their families, the Agency is piloting Reserved Residential Units at CFB Trenton. This initiative secures vacant rental units exclusively for CAF members through agreements with local property owners, complementing existing housing support services such as referrals provided by the local Military Family Resource Centre. Currently, the Agency has reserved 10 completed RHUs from the private sector.
More information on the future of military housing can be found in Building our Future: Strategic Plan 2025–2030.
News and media
News
2026-02-24: Government of Canada Investing in Historic Military Housing Expansion to Support CAF Members and Families
2025-12-17: The Department of National Defence Acquires Additional Apartment Complex in British Columbia
2025-10-16: The Department of National Defence Provides Updates on Canadian Armed Forces Housing Across Canada
Media
If you are a reporter with a recognized media organization, you may contact the DND Media Relations Office.