How do you earn Energy Efficiency points for MLI Select?

Energy Efficiency points are earned by exceeding National Building Code (NBC) Part 9 baselines. Level 1 (a modest improvement) earns 20 points, Level 2 earns 35 points, and Level 3 (a high-performance build) earns 50 points.

How do you earn Affordability points for MLI Select?

Affordability points are earned by committing a share of units to rents at or below CMHC's published Median Market Rent (MMR) for the area. Deeper affordability commitments earn more points, on a scale that can reach up to 100 points on its own.

How do you earn Accessibility points for MLI Select?

Accessibility points are earned through Rick Hansen Foundation certification: Accessible certification earns 20 points, and Certified Gold earns 30 points.

Can MLI Select points be combined across categories?

Yes. Points from Energy Efficiency, Affordability, and Accessibility all combine toward the same total. A project can lean into one category or blend commitments across all three to reach a higher tier.

CMHC MLI Select Points: 50, 70 & 100 Tiers

Quick answer: MLI Select points are earned across three categories — Energy Efficiency, Affordability, and Accessibility — and they combine toward one total. Energy tops out at 50 points, Affordability can reach 100 on its own, and Accessibility tops out at 30. A project can lean into one category or blend all three to reach the 50, 70, or 100-point tiers.

The three point categories

Energy Efficiency

Points are earned by exceeding National Building Code (NBC) Part 9 baseline performance:

Level 1 — 20 points: a modest improvement over baseline.
Level 2 — 35 points: a mid-tier improvement.
Level 3 — 50 points: a high-performance build.

Affordability

Points are earned by committing a share of units to rents at or below CMHC's published Median Market Rent (MMR) for the property's area:

Level 1 — 50 points: units at or below 80% of MMR.
Level 2 — 70 points: a deeper affordability commitment.
Level 3 — 100 points: the maximum affordability commitment.

Because affordability alone can reach 100 points, it's the category doing the most work for many projects that hit the top tier without maxing out energy or accessibility.

Accessibility

Points are earned through Rick Hansen Foundation certification:

Accessible certification — 20 points.
Certified Gold — 30 points.

How the categories combine

Points aren't exclusive to one category — they stack. A few example combinations that reach each tier:

Combination	Total Points	Tier Reached
Energy Level 1 (20) + Accessibility Gold (30)	50	50-point tier
Energy Level 2 (35) + Affordability Level 1 (50)	85	70-point tier
Affordability Level 3 alone (100)	100	100-point tier
Energy Level 3 (50) + Accessibility Gold (30) + Affordability Level 1 (50)	130	100-point tier

There's no penalty for exceeding 100 points — the top tier's benefits (50-year amortization, up to 95% LTV, 30% premium discount) apply the same whether a project scores exactly 100 or well beyond it.

Choosing a points strategy

The right combination depends on what a project can realistically commit to and document. Affordability tends to be the most direct lever since it's purely a rent-versus-MMR commitment, while Energy Efficiency and Accessibility require actual building performance or physical certification. Many projects reach 70 points by blending a moderate energy commitment with a moderate affordability commitment, rather than maxing out one category alone.

Check your own deal's MLI Select tier in under a minute. CapShark scores your points, tests your DSCR against the 1.10× minimum, and previews forward cash flow. The full 30-year lender package is paid.

Calculate Your CMHC MLI Select Points

How CMHC Scores MLI Select Points: A Practical Walkthrough