Glossary

PFAH
INVESTOR HUB

General Definitions

Affordable housing: Given the variety of definitions used across Canada, Front Door adopts a flexible approach to defining affordable housing. Rather than applying a single national benchmark, we ask that all project submissions include a clear description of how affordability is defined within their specific context. This may include:

Rent as a percentage of tenant income (e.g., <30%)
Percentage of Average Market Rent (e.g., 80% of AMR)
Ownership structure (e.g. non-market)
Deep affordability thresholds (e.g., geared-to-income units)
Other locally or culturally relevant criteria

Non-market housing: Housing that is not provided through the private, profit-driven market. Instead, it is developed, owned, and managed by governments, non-profits, or co-operatives. This includes social housing, co-op housing, community land trusts, and some forms of supportive housing. Non-market projects ensure secure, long-term, affordable housing for people who cannot access adequate housing in the private rental or ownership market.

Permanent housing: Housing intended to provide long-term, stable accommodation with no predetermined end date for residency. Permanent housing may be affordable or non-market and can include a range of tenure types (e.g., rental, co-operative, or community-owned housing). Residents have security of tenure and are not required to move on after a set period, though supportive services may be offered on a voluntary basis.

Transitional housing: Housing that provides short- to medium-term accommodation designed to bridge the gap between homelessness or crisis situations and stable, long-term housing. Transitional housing often includes integrated supports and services, with an expected length of stay and a planned transition to permanent housing.

Temporary / emergency housing: Short-term or crisis-oriented housing intended to meet immediate shelter needs, such as emergency shelters, interim housing, or hotel-based programs. Length of stay is typically very short and not intended as a bridge to longer-term residency within the same project.

P4 partners: P4 partners are the diverse stakeholders engaged through Partners for Affordable Housing to advance investment in affordable housing. This includes:

Non-profit housing providers Public sector partners (e.g., federal or provincial government, municipalities, housing agencies)
Private sector partners (e.g., private developers, social impact investors, financial institutions)
Philanthropic individuals, organizations and foundations

Project Category

First Mile: Projects seeking support for early-stage development activities that advance affordable housing concepts toward readiness. This includes feasibility and due diligence work, pre-development planning, site acquisition preparation, early design, and other activities that strengthen a project’s viability and funding readiness.

Last Mile: Projects in advanced stages of development that require capital or coordinated support to reach construction completion or occupancy. This may include construction and acquisition financing, affordability top-ups, and targeted investments that help overcome final funding gaps or delivery challenges.

Tenant Stability: Projects or initiatives focused on strengthening long-term housing stability for residents once housing is operational. Eligible activities may include rental assistance, tenant supports, service integration, and operational investments that improve housing quality, retention, and affordability.

Primary Population

Note: Many individuals and households may identify with more than one population category—such as newcomers who are also seniors or Indigenous people accessing mental health services. While we categorize primary populations for clarity, we recognize and respect that these identities and needs can overlap, and encourage thoughtful consideration of intersectional factors when submitting projects.

Women and children: Includes survivors of violence, single mothers, and families.
Indigenous: First Nations, Metis, and Inuit households.
Seniors: Adults typically aged 65+, including those aging in place.
Disabilities: Individuals living with physical, developmental, intellectual, or cognitive disabilities.
Veterans: Individuals who have served in the Canadian Armed Forces.
Mental health: People experiencing mental health challenges, including addictions.
Newcomers: Immigrants, refugees, or refugee claimants who have newly arrived in Canada.
Youth: Individuals aged approximately 16-29, including those aging out of care or experiencing housing precarity.
Homelessness: People experiencing any form of homelessness, including unsheltered, sheltered, or hidden homelessness.
2SLGBTQIA+: Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, and other gender and sexual identities.

Urban or Rural

Urban: Projects located in a population centre. A population centre has at least 1,000 residents and a population density of at least 400 persons per square kilometer.