Are You Eligible
Are You Eligible for Housing?
You can apply for housing with Calgary Housing Company under two general program types – Community/Affordable Housing and Near Market Housing.
Community Housing and Affordable Housing includes several different program types including Rent Assistance for private landlord units. Only one application is required to access these programs.
CHC follows the Social Housing Accommodation Regulation (SHAR) which establishes the rules for accessing Community Housing and Affordable Housing and other Rent-Geared-To-Income programs.
Please review the criteria below to determine if you are eligible to apply.
If you have any questions about this process, please contact CHC Customer Service at (587) 390-1200
(press 2) for assistance.
Calgary Housing Company DOES NOT provide Emergency Housing. If you require Emergency Housing please click here for where to go for help.
Community & Affordable Housing Programs
Community Housing and Affordable Housing includes a variety of programs in which rent is either set as a percentage of your income or at a low, fixed rate.
You only need to submit one application to be considered for these programs.
This includes the rent assistance programs for private landlord rentals.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible to apply for Community Housing or Affordable Housing, you must first meet the eligibility requirements. If you meet the requirements, your application will be accepted and evaluated. There are three criteria for eligibility – you must meet all three criteria.
Citizenship and Immigration Status
You must be either:
- a Canadian Citizen
- a Permanent Resident
- a Refugee sponsored by the Canadian Government or have applied for Refugee Status and received confirmation of acceptance of Immigration Status
Income Limits
Your Total Household income must be below Income Threshold (IT) limits for unit size (# of bedrooms)
| Size of Unit | Highest Allowable Income |
| Bachelor | $39,500 |
| 1 Bedroom | $49,000 |
| 2 Bedroom | $59,000 |
| 3 Bedroom | $67,000 |
| 4+ Bedroom | $81,500 |
(Updated May 1, 2023. The Housing Income Limits (HILS) are set annually by the Province of Alberta.)
Asset Limits
You must have less than $25,000 in household assets. Assets include, but are not limited to:
- Bank Accounts
- Investments (excluding RRSPs and RESPs)
- Equity in Property
- Equity in Motor Vehicles – First vehicle is exempt, equity in second and subsequent vehicles (current Canadian Red Book value) is included in asset calculation
If you meet the above criteria, click the button below to start the application process.
Near Market Housing
Near market (also referred to as Low End of Market or LEM) are rentals offered at rates approximately 10% below market rates.
Eligibility for LEM rentals is based on your income level. Your income must be below the Maximum Income Limit (MIL). The MIL levels are much higher than the limits for subsidized housing programs.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for Near Market / LEM housing, your income must be below the limits listed in the chart below. As long as your income is below MIL, your application will be processed and evaluated.
Income Limits
| Bedroom Size | 2024 Approved MIL |
| 1 Bedroom | $81, 000 |
| 2 Bedroom | $94, 000 |
| 3 Bedroom | $101, 500 |
| 4 Bedroom | $109, 000 |
For Near-Market Housing:
If you find a property you like and arrange a viewing, the leasing agent will provide an application form at that time. This is a different form than the Application for Social Housing.
To see available properties, click the button below. Contact information to arrange viewings is available on the property listing pages.
