We at CMHC look at our processes on a continuous basis. We survey our clients, whether they're successful in getting funding or not, to get their feedback, so we can actually improve on a continuous basis.
In terms of progress, since the start of the national housing strategy we have decreased our processing times by more than 50%. With respect to programs that involve grants or contributions only, we can get the money out the door within 60 days.
You mentioned the rapid housing initiative. That is a 100% grant program. We've been very successful with that in terms of getting the money out the door. Unfortunately, the demand for that program is very large, so there is probably one successful application for six that are submitted, but in terms of getting money out the door, it's very quick.
In terms of the loan-based programs, we survey our clients and we try to do a readiness assessment of the clients at the very start of the process. We find that if the clients have their documentation in order and if they have arrangements with other funders in place, we can process their applications much more quickly. We're trying to do a better job of doing that assessment first and to do a bit of a triage so that clients are provided with a realistic view of how long it takes.