Rent Assistance
Rent Assistance programs help people live in their homes affordably.
The Government of Alberta has completed a review and redesign of its Rent Supplement Program. This redesign will allow Calgary Housing Company (CHC) to maintain rent supplement as an option to assist Calgarians in need of affordable housing. The program includes:
Rent Assistance Benefit (RAB) – A long-term benefit for those most in need (formerly called Direct Rent Supplement)
Temporary Rent Assistance Benefit (TRAB) – A new temporary benefit for working Albertans and those between jobs.
CHC administers RAB on behalf of the Government of Alberta in the city of Calgary and Chestermere. In the RAB program, the rent assistance is provided to households who have their own tenancy agreements outside of CHC-managed buildings and are eligible for the programs on criteria including having incomes below income thresholds. These programs are governed by the Rent Supplement Regulation and the Social Housing Accommodation Regulation.
As of May 1, 2023, any inquiries for RAB in Airdrie, Cochrane, or elsewhere in the Rocky View Region should be directed to the Rocky View Foundation at https://www.rockyviewfoundation.org/ to learn more about the details of the program.
Rent Assistance Benefit (RAB)
The Rent Assistance Benefit (RAB), formerly the Direct Rent Supplement, provides a long-term benefit to Albertans with low income. This program opened for applications on April 1, 2021.
Rent Assistance Benefit payments are paid on or before the first day of the month. Payments for monthly subsidies are provided through direct deposit.
Temporary Rent Assistance Benefit (TRAB)
The Temporary Rent Assistance Benefit will open to applications on May 1, 2021. This new temporary benefit will provide a modest subsidy to help eligible tenants afford their rent.
Learn more about the Temporary Rent Assistance Benefit (TRAB)
Private Landlord Rent Supplement
The Private Landlord Rent Supplement program is closed to new applications.
Current PLRS program participants should contact CHC if they have questions.
Payment Schedule
Payments for the Rent Assistance Benefit (RAB) and Temporary Rent Assistance Benefit (TRAB) are released to your bank to be available on or before the first of the month.
If you do not receive an expected payment on the first of the month, please contact your Rent Supplement Administrator as there may be an issue with your Annual Rent Review.
