Red Deer mom joins province in calling on feds to raise threshold for recently announced housing affordability top-up

Tracy Sininger, executive director at Alberta Prairies Life Enrichment Training Studio — which trains support workers who help the vulnerable population — says her sons, 28 and 30, should be eligible, hands down.

“My older son had a brain tumour as a baby and now has a neurological disorder. The younger one has epilepsy, and they both have Tourrette Syndrome,” she shares.

“I think they [the federal government] have just fallen a bit short on this announcement. My boys, who live in different group homes, have both seen increases to rent, groceries cost more, as do utilities.

They are, without a doubt, Sininger says, part of the population this top-up seems to be intended for.

“People on AISH are living so far below the poverty line. It’s very low. That also goes for those who receive disability pension, which comes in at $20,325 annually,” she says. “It’s difficult for these people.”

Sininger’s sons each pay $700 for rent, or 41.5 per cent of their AISH income, much higher than the 30 per cent needed to qualify.

Starting with their Dec. 22 cheque, Alberta’s AISH recipients will start receiving $1,787 monthly, or $21,444 annually, the province announced recently. There is also a $342 living allowance for those in an approved nursing home, auxiliary hospital or designated supportive living facility.

“It’s great we have the highest paying AISH type program in the country, but it’s still low when you look at the cost of living,” says Sininger. “Individuals are having to decide whether to pay utilities or buy groceries; that’s not a good thing.”

Alberta’s Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services, Jeremy Nixon, has written a letter to the federal government — dated Dec. 14 — in support of Albertans making just above the cutoff to receive the top-up.

Writing to Families, Children and Social Development Minister Karina Gould, Nixon says that though Alberta has one of the highest disability payments in the country, “it would seem that the federal government believes that it is too high.”

“We are taking this opportunity to ask the Government of Canada to raise the $20,000 threshold to allow Albertans living with disabilities access to this benefit,” writes Nixon.

“This inflationary crisis is hurting millions of Albertans, and they need help. It is important that those living with disabilities are not left out. We look forward to seeing action taken that will ensure support is provided to all Canadians in need.”

In a statement, the Ministry of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion, on behalf of Minister Ahmed Hussen, says they are aware it is getting harder for many Canadians to afford rent, which is why they are providing this top-up.

“These measures are not standalone programs. The Government of Canada will continue to add on this support and is committed to delivering much needed assistance through the National Housing Strategy (NHS),” the statement reads.

“The Government of Canada will continue to work with those expressing important concerns to ensure our programs can be best tailored to support the needs of Albertans and Canadians who need it most.”

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by Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

Red Deer mom joins province in calling on feds to raise threshold for recently announced housing affordability top-up

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