2026-27 Confirmed Funding Allocations and Rent-Assisted Unit Target National Housing Strategy (NHS) – COCHI, OPHI, and COHB

Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing

Office of the Minister
777 Bay Street, 17th Floor,
Toronto ON M7A 2J3
Tel.: 416 585-7000

234-2026-941

May 25, 2026

Board Chair Kevin Burke 
Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB 
kburke@msdsb.net 

Dear Board Chair Burke:

Re: 2026-27 Confirmed Funding Allocations and Rent-Assisted Unit Target National Housing Strategy (NHS) – COCHI, OPHI, and COHB

This fiscal year marks the second year of the final three years of the National Housing Strategy (NHS) under the Canada-Ontario Bilateral Agreement.

Following the federal government’s approval of Ontario’s final three-year NHS Action Plan, Ontario continues to work with Service Managers and Indigenous Program Administrators to deliver on the province’s housing commitments and ensure progress toward NHS targets.

These allocations and targets support Ontario’s continued implementation of the National Housing Strategy and progress toward the province’s Expansion Target.

I am pleased to confirm your funding allocations under the Canada-Ontario Community Housing Initiative (COCHI) and the Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative (OPHI) for the 2026-27 fiscal year, and to provide planning allocations for 2027-28. Details of these allocations are provided below.

COCHI/OPHI Funding Allocations – Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB

As Ontario approaches the final year of the NHS, OPHI funding will gradually taper. Service Managers are asked to plan and manage the uptake under the Housing Allowance and Rent Supplement components accordingly.

Rent-Assisted Unit Target – Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB

To further support Ontario’s NHS commitment, each Service Manager continues to be assigned a rent-assisted unit target to support the province’s overall goal of expanding rent-assisted housing.

Ontario has made strong progress toward the Expansion Target in recent years, with many Service Managers advancing projects and delivering rent-assisted units ahead of earlier projections. In recognition of this early progress, the assigned targets for 2026-27 reflect a recalibration of annual expectations to align with Ontario’s remaining commitment through the final years of the NHS. This adjustment recognizes the momentum already achieved and ensures that the province remains on a steady trajectory toward the 2028 target.

Your specific expansion target for the 2026-27 fiscal year is provided below:

The NHS Action Plan reiterates Ontario’s commitment to expand rent-assisted housing by 19,660 units by March 31, 2028. Continued collaboration with Service Managers remains essential to achieving this target.
 
Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit (COHB) Funding Allocation - Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB

Consistent with previous years, Service Managers are required to complete a COHB Take-Up Plan to support the effective use of allocated funding and the onboarding of new households. The Take-Up plan provides a projection of the number of new households expected to be assisted in the 2026-27 fiscal year.

The Take-Up Plan reporting template is available at the following link: 2026-27 COHB Planning  Allocation Take-up Plan – Fill out form. Completed plans must be submitted to the Ministry no later than June 10, 2026.

Service Managers are also expected to report any changes to projected new household numbers through the existing reporting process to support ongoing program monitoring and oversight.

Our standard communication protocol for housing programs applies to the details in this letter, including keeping this information confidential.

A separate allocation letter for the 2026-27 Homelessness Prevention Program (HPP) will follow shortly.
 
Your continued leadership in delivering community housing is vital to advancing Ontario’s housing objectives. I appreciate your continued partnership and look forward to building on this progress together.

Sincerely,
 
Hon. Robert J. Flack
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing

c: Donna Stewart, Chief Administrative Officer, Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB
    Robert Dodd, Chief of Staff, Minister’s Office, Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
    Martha Greenberg, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
    Sean Fraser, Assistant Deputy Minister, Municipal and Housing Operations Division,
    Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
    Cindy Couillard, Team Lead, Regional Housing Services, Municipal Services Office North (Sudbury)