How MLI Select scoring works
MLI Select is CMHC mortgage loan insurance for multi-unit rental projects with five or more units. Projects earn points in three categories: affordability, energy efficiency and accessibility.
No single category is mandatory. A project needs at least 50 points, and the tiers sit at 50, 70 and 100 points.
Higher tiers come with more flexible terms. As of October 2026, amortization is 40 years at the 50-point tier, 45 years at 70 and 50 years at 100, and the premium discount is 10%, 20% and 30% at the same tiers. This applies to new construction and existing buildings alike. At 100 points, recourse also moves from full to limited.
The baseline every project needs
Before a project can claim either accessibility level, two conditions apply. Every unit must be 100% visitable, and common areas must be barrier-free under CSA B651:23, the CSA standard for accessible design for the built environment.
The accessibility criteria are the same for new construction and existing buildings, which makes the baseline worth checking first.
The common area requirement reaches well beyond the units. A project can plan the right number of accessible units and still fall short because an entrance, corridor or amenity room doesn't meet the standard, so review shared spaces alongside the unit plans.
Level 1 and Level 2 pathways
Once the baseline is met, each level offers several ways to qualify. A project only needs to meet one of them.
| Level | Points | Ways to qualify (meet any one) |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 20 | At least 15% of units accessible under CSA B651:23; at least 15% of units built to universal design; or an RHFAC v4.0 score of 60–79% |
| Level 2 | 30 | 15% accessible units plus 85% universal design units; 100% universal design units; 100% accessible units; or RHFAC v4.0 Gold (80% or more) |
The right pathway depends on your unit mix, your design stage and whether the building is new or existing. A pathway that suits a new building on paper may be harder to reach in an older building with fixed layouts.
At application, an architect or designated accessibility consultant signs an attestation. Planning for that step early keeps the paperwork in line with the design.
How accessibility fits with other points
Accessibility is worth at most 30 points, so it can never qualify a project on its own. Its value is in combination with affordability or energy points, where it can move a project into a higher tier.
Two examples, using CMHC criteria as of October 2026:
- New construction: 15% of units affordable (70 points) plus Level 2 accessibility (30 points) reaches 100 points.
- Existing building: 40% of units affordable (50 points) plus Level 1 accessibility (20 points) reaches 70 points.
In the second example, accessibility is what moves the project from the 50-point tier to the 70-point tier. For an existing building, that step changes the loan-to-value from 85% to 95% and the amortization from 40 to 45 years.
These are illustrations, not predictions. CMHC and lenders assess each application and make the decisions.
Plan accessibility early
Accessibility points are easiest to reach when they are part of the design from the start. Changing unit layouts or common areas late in design usually costs more and can mean redrawing plans.
Try the MLI Select points estimator to see how different combinations add up. When you're ready, PRISM can help you choose a pathway that fits your building and prepare for the attestation. Get in touch to talk through your project.
It helps to have a few details ready for a first conversation: your unit count and mix, your design stage, and the affordability or energy points you expect to claim.