There are many agencies and programs that provide support services to help Albertans live independently. The following links may be useful:

• For help finding subsidized housing in Alberta - go to Management Bodies Search
• For help finding support services or housing there are several agencies that provide referral services:
• Edmonton and Area: The Support Network -  http://www.thesupportnetwork.com
• Calgary and Area: Calgary Homeless Foundation -  http://www.calgaryhomeless.org
• Red Deer:  The City of Red Deer
• Other provincial government departments also provide supportive services

Housing Registries

Alberta Seniors and Community Supports provides grants to housing registries which enables them to find appropriate housing for households with housing problems and to document information on household problems. There are nine housing registries funded by Alberta Seniors and Community Supports through Family and Special Purpose Housing and Seniors Housing at this time. The following six registries are for families and people requiring 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 two 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.

Contact

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.