Existing Programs and Services
The Community Housing Program provides subsidized rental housing for low income families, senior citizens, wheelchair users, or individuals who cannot afford private sector accommodation. Management and tenant selection are the responsibilities of management bodies. Applicants are given priority based on need, as determined by income, assets and current housing condition. Rents are based on 30 percent of a household's adjusted income. Operating deficits and amortization are cost-shared by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and Alberta Seniors and Community Supports.
Contact your local management body
(Management Bodies Search)
or the northern or southern Alberta Housing Field Services Office.
The Rent Supplement Program provides assistance to households in need to obtain affordable and suitable rental accommodation by subsidizing rents in eligible private sector rental projects. Management and tenant selection is the responsibility of the local management body. Applicants are prioritized on the basis of need, as determined by income, assets and current housing conditions. Through management bodies, Alberta Seniors and Community Supports and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation pay private landlords a 'rent supplement' to subsidize the difference between a negotiated market rent and 30 percent of household income.
Contact your local management body (see Management Bodies Search Database) or the northern or southern Alberta Housing Field Services Office.
Private Non-Profit Housing Program
This program allows private non-profit organizations to own social housing projects which are directed at serving households in greatest need. Applicants are given priority based on need, as determined by income, assets and current housing conditions. No new funding is available for this program. Alberta Seniors and Community Supports and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation share the cost of subsidizing the operational costs of the projects. Tenants are required to pay 30 percent of their household income for rent.
Contact the Housing Services Division for phone numbers and contacts of private non-profit organizations in your area.
Alberta Seniors and Community Supports
Housing Services Division
4th Floor, Standard Life Centre
10405 Jasper Avenue
Edmonton, AB T5J 4R7
Telephone: (780) 427-3919
Fax: (780) 427-0418
To be connected toll free in Alberta, dial 310-0000.
Rural and Native Housing Program (Rental)
Provides modest rental accommodation to low-income families in small rural communities. No new capital funding is available. Availability of existing housing depends upon vacancies in the current portfolio. Families may be eligible for the Rural and Native Housing Program if they meet all of the following eligibility requirements:
- a family is defined as at least one parent with at least one child;
- senior citizen couples and families with disabled persons also may be eligible;
- the family must need improved housing. Priority is given to those families who demonstrate the greatest need for improved housing;
- the family's total annual income must fall within established maximum income limits;
- the family must have a good credit rating and be able to make rental payments.
The family must reside, or intend to reside, in a rural community or area designated for assistance under the program.
Assistance Available
The family's monthly rental payment is subsidized. The monthly rental payment is based on 30 percent of a family's gross income. The minimum monthly payment is $120.
Contact
Alberta Seniors and Community Supports
Housing Services Division
4th Floor, Standard Life Centre
10405 Jasper Avenue
Edmonton, AB T5J 4R7
Telephone: (780) 422-2219
Fax: (780) 427-0418
To be connected toll free in Alberta, dial 310-0000.
Alberta Seniors and Community Supports provides grants to eight housing registries which enables them to find appropriate housing for households with housing problems and to document information on household problems. Two housing registries are for seniors housing. The following six registries are for Family and Special Purpose Housing:
- Handicapped Housing Registry operated by the Accessible Housing Society (Calgary);
- Handicapped Housing Registry operated by the Handicapped Housing Society of Alberta (Edmonton);
- Operation Friendship for hard-to-house persons (Edmonton);
- Boyle Street Community Services Co-op for hard-to-house persons (Edmonton);
- Urban Native Housing Registry operated by the Native Seniors Centre (Edmonton);
- Handicapped Housing Registry operated by the Handicapped Housing Society of Alberta (Red Deer).
Registries organize and maintain a housing registry to provide placement services; provide counseling and other support services that help to match applications to appropriate and available accommodation; consult with other non-profit groups and the private sector who may have or plan to make accommodation available; collect data on registry clientele to enable Alberta Seniors and Community Supports to know more about the housing requirements and related issues affecting the clientele; encourage landlords and private sector developers to take more responsibility for providing housing needs to meet the needs of the target groups.
Each year, groups operating the registries apply for funding based on their operating needs. A contract is then drawn up between the parties and payment is made accordingly. No new funding is available for this Program.
Contact
Alberta Seniors and Community Supports
Housing Services Division
Grants Administration
4th Floor, Standard Life Centre
10405 Jasper Avenue
Edmonton, AB T5J 4R7
Telephone: (780) 427-6897
To be connected toll free in Alberta, dial 310-0000.
Special Purpose Housing Program
This program provides mortgage subsidy financing to enable non-profit organizations to develop and manage emergency or transitional residential facilities providing care to people with physical, mental or behavioural conditions. Clients may include the physically or mentally handicapped, victims of family violence, wards of the provincial government, ex-convicts, the hard to house, or any other group having special housing needs. Applicants are given priority based on need, as determined by income, assets, current housing condition, and special requirements.
No new funding is available for this program. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation provided a mortgage to the project owners through their Direct Lending Program. Alberta Seniors and Community Supports and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation share the cost of subsidizing the interest rate on the mortgage down to 2 percent. The non-profit organization is then responsible for making mortgage payments and for paying operational costs. Rental rates are established by the management agency.
Contact the Housing Services Division for phone numbers and contacts of non-profit organizations that manage Special Purpose Housing projects in your area.
Alberta Seniors and Community Supports
Housing Services Division
4th Floor, Standard Life Centre
10405 Jasper Avenue
Edmonton, AB T5J 4R7
Telephone: (780) 427-3919
Fax: (780) 427-0418
To be connected toll free in Alberta, dial 310-0000.
