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By Chris Brown

Applications open May 1

New program to help struggling Hatters pay rent

Mar 26, 2021 | 12:10 PM

Medicine Hat households with low income or those between jobs will be eligible for help to pay rent under new provincial program.

Alberta has revamped its Rent Supplement Program, adding the Temporary Rent Assistance Benefit to support rent-paying tenants while they stabilize or improve their situation.

The two-year benefit will be paid directly to tenants and households are eligible if they are employed or have been employed in the last 24 months and are not receiving social assistance, including Income Support, Learner Income Support, Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped, Alberta Seniors Benefit, Guaranteed Income Supplement and Old Age Security.

The benefit will open for applications on May 1.

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The amount of support will be calculated based on household size and location and will be reduced in the second year. Eligibility will be reassessed after the first year and households can reapply for rent assistance at the end of two years. Households are prioritized on a first-come, first-served basis.

It will also be available in Calgary, Edmonton, Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie, Lethbridge and Red Deer

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

It is also paid directly to tenants and available through most housing management bodies across Alberta.

Households are eligible if they are below local income thresholds, the amount is calculated based on household income and local market rent, and households are prioritized based on need.

It may be renewed annually and there is no limit to benefit renewals if eligible.

The government says the redesigned program will provide critical housing support for about 11,600 households – 3,800 more than are served today.

“This past year reinforced the importance of safe, stable and affordable housing,” says Josephine Pon, minister of seniors and 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.”

Visit the government’s website for more on the program.