Province redesigns rent assistance for Albertans

Mar 26, 2021 | 9:24 AM

EDMONTON, AB – The province has redesigned its Rent Supplement Program to address the needs of Albertans in these difficult pandemic-ridden times.

The program will include a long-term benefit for those most in need and a new temporary benefit for working Albertans and those who are between jobs. The redesigned program will offer critical housing support for about 11,600 households – 3,800 more than are served today.

The Government of Alberta’s decisions is based on recommendations by the Affordable Housing Review Panel. Updates to the Rent Supplement Program align with the panel’s advice to simplify administration, ensure fairness and improve sustainability, and address two of the panel’s suggestions:

Rebalance funding across rent assistance and capital funding (recommendation number 10)
Create a modest rent subsidy (number 11)

“This past year reinforced the importance of safe, stable and affordable housing. Our program review clearly identified that some households in Alberta’s big cities have been overlooked by provincial housing programs. These changes will help the program meet the needs of Albertans now, and in the future,” said Josephine Pon, Alberta’s Minister of Seniors and Housing.

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RENT ASSISTANCE BENEFIT

The Rent Assistance Benefit will reopen on April 1. Formerly the Direct to Tenant Rent Supplement, the long-term benefit will continue to subsidize Albertans with the lowest income across the province.

TEMPORARY RENT ASSISTANCE BENEFIT

The Temporary Rent Assistance Benefit will open up for applications on May 1. This new, temporary benefit will provide a modest subsidy to help eligible tenants in Alberta’s seven major centres afford their rent while they stabilize or improve their situation.

More information on both benefits is available here.

by Justin Goulet