The post Review of Affordable Housing Funding in Alberta Budget 2022 appeared first on Calgary Housing.

The Board of Directors of Calgary Housing Company is seeking two citizen representatives to serve on the Board.

CHC seeks to develop a Board whose members possess and demonstrate a strategic combination of personal attributes, expertise, social capital, competencies and occupational backgrounds so that, collectively, it has access to a broad diversity of experiences, perspectives, knowledge, connections, and skills to carry out its governance, planning, stewardship and advocacy functions.

As a volunteer Board Director, you will be responsible for actively participating in effective governance of the CHC Board, working with administration to develop long-term strategic plans and providing governance oversight of the management of the business and affairs of the CHC.

As the successful candidate, you have a passion for CHC’s mandate, serving the community and bringing experience in one or more of the following areas: accounting; asset management; property development/ management; risk management; human services; working with vulnerable populations; and governance and/or the not-for-profit sector. Your experience includes serving on a non-profit, charitable, public sector or corporate board.

Based on the CHC Board’s most recent skills matrix review, preference for the two upcoming board appointments in June 2021 will be given to candidates demonstrating expertise in one or more of the following areas: financial accounting expertise (CPA designation required); investment management experience in real estate/infrastructure development; and strategic leadership experience in organizationally complex environments.

The closing date for applications is Wednesday, April 21.

For more information on this opportunity including how to apply, click here.

The post CHC Board of Directors Seeks Two Citizen Members to Join Board appeared first on Calgary Housing.

Province Accepts Recommendations – New Strategy to be Released in Spring 2021

Significant changes may be on the horizon for the organization, operation, and funding of affordable housing in Alberta. The potential for these changes is contained in 19 recommendations of a report released and endorsed by the government of Alberta on December 11.

There are 19 recommendations for Alberta’s affordable housing system contained in the final report of the Alberta Affordable Housing Review Panel which was released Dec. 11.

Download the panel report

The report identifies a number of principles on which the recommendations are based. These include: bold action, fairness, equity and inclusiveness, one size does not fit all, and efficiency, sustainability and financial responsibility.

“The panel’s recommendations focused on shifting the province’s role from owner and controller to that of partner and funder, changing programs to support Albertans, not buildings; drawing on local and private sector expertise to provide more housing options; and updating regulations to encourage innovation and reduce administrative red tape.” said the government in its announcement.

The recommendations can be summarized as:

• Develop a provincial strategic plan for housing.
• Create a plan to manage and transfer provincially owned-land and buildings.
• Build the capacity of housing providers.
• Provide a rent subsidy for Albertans who need temporary support but are not eligible for existing programs.
• Support innovative approaches to housing, such as mixed-income, mixed-use.
• Simplify processes for applicants, tenants and housing operators.

In releasing the report, the province accepted all 19 recommendations and indicated “work is already underway on a strategy to outline a shared vision for affordable housing and to map out when and how the government will act on the panel’s advice”. A strategy is to be released in Spring 2021.

“Affordable housing is critical to create inclusive communities and is part of Alberta’s Recovery Plan to guide economic prosperity. Advice from the Affordable Housing Review Panel will help the government renew the provincial affordable housing system – which has not changed structurally for more than two decades – so it can better serve Albertans in need and make the best use of taxpayer dollars,” said Josephine Pon, Minister of Seniors and Housing.

In response to the report and the recommendations, Calgary Housing Company reiterated the critical importance of affordable housing for thousands of Calgary families and individuals and the importance of finding ways to increase the amount of affordable housing in the community.

“We thank the Panel for their work and applaud the Government of Alberta for prioritizing affordable housing,” said CHC President Sarah Woodgate, “We look forward to continuing to work closely with the province to ensure we can collectively meet the needs of Calgarians to live with dignity in a home they can afford.”

Earlier this year, CHC and The City made formal submissions to the panel.

CHC’s submission had four key recommendations:

1. That the province invest in maintaining existing affordable housing
2. Support for new mixed-rent housing models through operating agreements that provide adequate operating funding, predictable capital funding for new housing, and exemption from property tax for non-profit housing providers
3. Funding for rent supplements
4. A review of social housing regulations to reduce red tape and make the system more responsive to citizen needs

The City of Calgary submission had three primary recommendations:

1. Uphold Provincial obligations for affordable housing through investment in the sector
   1. Capital funding for new building and transfer of viable assets at below-market values
   2. Property tax exemptions for non-profit housing providers and income tax modernization
   3. Partnering with municipal and Federal governments to streamline funding program applications
2. Create a citizen-centric housing system
3. Help facilitate private sector involvement

Read about the CHC and City submissions and view supporting documents here: CHC Story on Panel Submissions

Both submissions also endorsed the COVID-19 Community Affordable Housing Advocacy Plan that calls for $590M in funding over the next three years to create more than 5,000 new affordable homes in Calgary. That plan, developed by a committee representing more than 40 Calgary organizations including private, public and non-profit sector participants, includes a call for $240M in funding for 22 shovel-ready projects that would provide over 1,800 new homes as well as another $275M over three years to trigger $350M in federal funding that would result in an additional 3,300 affordable homes.

The post Province Releases Affordable Housing Panel Report appeared first on Calgary Housing.

Join us in celebrating the achievements of our sector, while recognizing the work that still needs to be done, so that all Canadians have a safe place to call home.

COVID-19 has reminded everyone of how important it is to have access to safe and affordable housing.

In a statement marking National Housing Day, Calgary mortgage and Housing (CMHC) notes that some of those hit hardest by the pandemic are our most vulnerable populations – people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, seniors, women and children fleeing domestic violence, and people with disabilities.

Each year, National Housing Day is held on November 22 to recognize the important work done by housing partners across Canada to improve access to housing for everyone in Canada.

Now, more than ever, says CMHC, National Housing Day is an opportunity to reflect on the work that still needs to be done. As our communities recover from the pandemic, we need to ensure that everyone in Canada has access to affordable and equitable housing. Housing is a cornerstone of sustainable and inclusive communities, and housing is a basic human right recognized by the United Nations and all levels of government in Canada.

Take a moment this National Housing Day to celebrate the achievements of our sector – especially during such a challenging year, while recognizing the work that still needs to be done, so that we can continue to gain momentum in ensuring that all Canadians have a safe, and adequate place to call home.

National Housing Day Links and Resources

• National Housing Day info from CMHC
• Multi Faith Housing’s National Housing Day Celebration
• About National Housing day from daysoftheyear.com

How to celebrate National Housing Day in 2020?

Although these are interesting times – especially when it comes celebrating events – it is still possible to make the most of your National Housing Day while remaining safe!

Attend a virtual celebration!

Multifaith Housing in Ottawa is hosting their National Housing Day celebration online at 1pm (3pm EST)!

Share your thoughts on social media!

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation has put together a toolkit with backgrounds to use in virtual meetings and frames to use in social media.

• National Housing Day info from CMHC
• If you mention CHRA on Facebook and on Twitter (@CHRA_ACHRU) they will share your post or tweet.
• You can also use the #NationalHousingDay hashtag!

Talk about your story!

• Share your success story, recent progress, or achievement of goals as it relates to the importance of housing.
• Talk about the need for Community Housing in your area.
• Give kudos to someone who deserves it.

Join your fellow Canadians across the country in celebrating this very special day! Share why housing matters to you, especially during COVID-19m and, help raise awareness of the importance of safe, affordable and inclusive housing for everyone in Canada.

The post November 22 is National Housing Day appeared first on Calgary Housing.

On Monday, Sept. 21, the Federal government through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation announced $1B for Affordable Housing across Canada in the Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI), the latest program under the National Housing Strategy.

Details of the Federal announcement are yet to be released, but highlights of the new CMHC program include:

• $1 billion for the construction of modular housing, the acquisition of land, and the conversion of existing buildings to affordable housing to enable the rapid creation of up to 3,000 new affordable housing units across the country while helping to stimulate the economy;
• An additional $236.7 million through Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy to help extend and expand the emergency response to the COVID-19 outbreak. (In addition to the $157.5 million announced in April 2020.)

This program aligns well with the COVID-19 Community Affordable Housing Advocacy Strategy. That plan was recently endorsed by members of Calgary City Council at the Intergovernmental Affairs Committee.

“Mayor Nenshi and his office team have been drivers of this plan and championed advocacy with Federal and Provincial officials,” says Calgary Housing’s Manager of Affordable Housing, Bruce Irvine, “we are grateful for this leadership on behalf of low income Calgarians and those experiencing vulnerabilities including homelessness.”

Calgary Housing Company is continuing to work with community and government partners to advance the case for more investment in affordable housing.

View the Public Announcement on the CMHC Website.

Media Coverage:

• Globe and Mail
• National Post
• CTV News
• Global News

The post Feds Announce $1B for Rapid Affordable Housing appeared first on Calgary Housing.

Tenants in more than 480 households who recently received late payment or rent arrears notices have successfully addressed rental arrears issues. The tenants have entered payment arrangements, paid their outstanding balances or are working with CHC to address rent arrears and payment plans going forward.

“It is clear that many people in our community are struggling,” says CHC President Sarah Woodgate. “We are pleased at how our tenants and staff have worked together to make sure families stay housed and avoid falling further behind.”

In August, 508 households received notices of late payment or outstanding arrears. Of those, 481 have worked with CHC on a go-forward plan, 17 have moved out and 10 have gone forward to enforcement. For those in enforcement, the opportunity to make payment arrangements is still available.

For many years, CHC has had eviction prevention practices in place to provide options and support for our tenants struggling to pay rent. This year, those practices were formalized in the Eviction Prevention Policy and Procedure which has been crucial in responding to the challenges of COVID-19 and the economic downturn.

A focus of this approach is to help tenants avoid falling behind and creating arrears they may not be able to address.

“Once they fall a few months behind, it can become almost impossible for tenants to catch up – they can end up in a hole they can’t get out of,” says Housing Services Manager Greg Wilkes. “We alert our tenants and work with them as soon as possible so that doesn’t happen. That’s what the August notices were for.”

In August, 508 households received notices of late payment or outstanding arrears. Of those, 481 have worked with CHC on a go-forward plan, 17 have moved out and 10 have gone forward to enforcement.

One way CHC stays in touch is with wellness checks. CHC staff have done thousands of wellness calls in recent months – contacting families and individuals to inquire about challenges they are facing and, when possible, connecting them with services and resources.

CHC has  been able to help families and individuals with applications for federal COVID income supports, to connect with food supports and other basic needs supports. These supports have been described as critical for people who are struggling to make ends meet.

CHC is a non-profit organization operating just over 7,000 housing units offering for low and moderate income Calgarians who are not well served by the regular market. These affordable homes are offered through several different programs that range from deep subsidy to near-market rental options.

Almost 25,000 Calgarians including over 10,000 children, live in a CHC-managed home.

“If tenants are struggling to pay rent, they should contact us to discuss the options and supports available to help them manage their situation. We want our tenants to be successful – we want them to stay housed and we have tools to help.”

CHC President Sarah Woodgate

Calgary Housing Company’s first priority is to provide housing options for low and moderate income Calgarians struggling to find affordable housing in the regular market.

CHC depends on rental income to manage the operations and rental units. Unfortunately, challenges posed by COVID-19 and the state of the local economy have led to a significant increase in rental arrears and late payment of rent. August saw a doubling of late rental payment notices and an increase to rental arrears of 40 per cent.

“People are struggling,” says Wilkes. “We are walking the balance of helping people to stay in their homes while we also manage our business to keep providing those homes.”

“If tenants are struggling to pay rent, they should contact us to discuss the options and supports available to help them manage their situation,” says CHC President Woodgate. “We want our tenants to be successful – we want them to stay housed and we have tools to help.”

CHC’s Eviction Prevention Program includes:

• Interest free/penalty free payment plans to recover missed rent
• Connections to resources – financial assistance (i.e. Canadian Emergency Response Benefit – CERB), enhanced on site food programs to support food insecurity, etc.
• Wellness check calls to tenants
• Increased communication with residents outlining support information and resources
• Tenants who are on provincially-funded subsidized programs are able to apply for rent adjustments and reduced rents based on changes of income.

Tenants having trouble paying rent on time can contact their Property Manager, Account Administrator or Tenant Liaison. They can also contact our office at (587) 390-1200.

The post Eviction Prevention Efforts Keep CHC Tenants in Their Homes appeared first on Calgary Housing.

In August, The City of Calgary ramped up pressure for affordable housing solutions on the Federal and Provincial governments as it endorsed and submitted a community plan calling for investment in affordable housing in Calgary totaling $624M over the next three years (Federal – $349M, Provincial – $275M).

The COVID-19 Community Affordable Housing Advocacy Plan is intended to create a more resilient housing system to respond to future shocks while focusing on community priorities and aligning local interests with opportunities for investment identified by federal and provincial stakeholders. Outcomes of the plan, if implemented, would include:

• Deliver housing for up to 12,000 Calgarians, meaningfully addressing homelessness in our city and addressing a long-standing affordable housing deficit;
• Build or and secure more than 5,400 new homes – increasing the asset base of the non-profit housing sector and reducing reliance on future government funding;
• Leverage economic conditions favourable to real estate acquisition and construction and mitigate potential collapse in the tourism and residential sectors by securing homes for those who need them;
• Create 2,800 residential construction jobs across 22 non-profit affordable housing construction projects

The plan proposes two streams of activity. The first stream, intended to rapidly create homes for 600 Calgarians experiencing or at risk of homelessness, would require $58.7M in funding shared between the province and federal government. This stream includes acquisition of 300 homes in hotels and surplus market properties as well as increased funding for Rent Supplements that support people in existing market and non-market homes.

The second stream would roll out over three years and see the development of 4,800 new homes at a cost of $537M. The total includes 3,000 homes ($300M) built or acquired in partnership with the private sector and 1,800 homes ($237M) in 22 previously identified, shovel-ready projects. Almost $186M has already been sourced or committed for the shovel-ready projects which include developments by The City of Calgary, Homespace, Horizon Housing, Silvera for Seniors, The Mustard Seed and others.

The Plan was developed by a committee of 65 individuals from 42 organizations from private, non-profit, and government housing sectors. The group included organizations serving Calgarians experiencing homelessness, seniors, Indigenous people, and families as well as organizations representing non-market rental housing, attainable homeownership, market rental landlords, builders and developers, and Federal and Provincial government representatives.

The committee’s plan was then presented to Calgary City Council’s Intergovernmental Affairs Committee which endorsed it and agreed that it should be forwarded to the Federal and Provincial Governments.

In early August, Mayor Naheed Nenshi sent the plan to Alberta Premier Jason Kenney and Federal Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Ahmed Hussen.

“When implemented” said Mayor Nenshi in his letter to Premier Kenney, “(the plan) will make considerable strides towards ensuring Calgary emerges with a stronger civil society that will ensure more of our citizens can live with dignity, access opportunities to improve their lives, and contribute to our economic recovery.”

Mayor Nenshi’s letter emphasized the need for collaboration between orders of government and the need for the Province to participate in order to enable access to federal funds.

• Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary
• Aboriginal Standing Committee on Housing and Homelessness
• Accessible Housing Alberta Network of Public Housing Agencies (ANPHA)
• Altus Group
• Aspen Family and Community Network
• Attainable Homes Calgary
• BILD Calgary Region
• Bishop O’Byrne Housing Association
• Calgary Chinatown Seniors Housing Society
• Calgary Dream Centre
• Calgary Drop-In & Rehab Centre Society
• Calgary Homeless Foundation
• Calgary Residential Rental Association
• Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
• Community Housing Affordability Collective (CHAC)
• CUPS
• Fireside Property Group
• Generations: Multi Generational Housing & Community Centre
• Government of Alberta, Community & Social Services, Housing & Homeless Supports
• Government of Alberta, Seniors & Housing, Housing Capital Programs
• Habitat for Humanity
• Homes for Heroes Foundation
• HomeSpaceSociety
• Horizon Housing Society
• Inn from the Cold
• Jack Long Foundation
• Métis Calgary Family Services Society
• Métis Urban/Capital Housing Corporation
• Norfolk Housing Association
• Siksika Off-Reserve Affordable Housing
• Silvera For Seniors SORCe
• The City of Calgary, Calgary Housing
• The City of Calgary, Calgary Neighbourhoods
• The Elder Statesmen Group
• The Mustard Seed Society
• The SHARP Foundation
• Treaty 7 Urban Housing
• Trinity Place Foundation of Alberta
• United Way of Calgary and Area
• Vibrant Communities Calgary
• Woods Homes
• YWCA Calgary

Documents

• COVID-19 Community Advocacy Plan Overview
• Mayor Nenshi Letter to Premier Jason Kenney
• Mayor Nenshi Letter to Minister Hussen

The post COVID-19 Community Advocacy Plan appeared first on Calgary Housing.

Calgary Housing Company (CHC) and The City of Calgary clearly stated their priorities for affordable housing in submissions to the government of Alberta’s Affordable Housing Review Panel at the end of August.

Announced at the beginning of the summer, the Panel was tasked with identifying ways to make affordable housing more efficient and effective and to evaluate legislation, funding and operating methods. The panel invited input from all Albertans.

Both The City and CHC submissions called for increased investment in building and maintaining affordable housing and systemic changes to make the system more sustainable and responsive to the needs of Albertans living on low and moderate incomes.

“Affordable housing is an essential form of social infrastructure,” said CHC President Sarah Woodgate in her letter accompanying CHC’s submission to the Panel, “(it) demands a significant recommitment by the Provincial government.”

Mayor Naheed Nenshi was equally direct in his submission.

“The accountability for ensuring all Albertans have access to affordable and appropriate housing rests firmly with the Government of Alberta,” he wrote, “but all orders of government have an important role to play.”

CHC’s submission had four key recommendations:

1. That the province invest in maintaining existing affordable housing
2. Support for new mixed-rent housing models through operating agreements that provide adequate operating funding, predictable capital funding for new housing, and exemption from property tax for non-profit housing providers
3. Funding for rent supplements
4. A review of social housing regulations to reduce red tape and make the system more responsive to citizen needs

Though they have different specifics, these recommendations aligned with the City of Calgary submission with its three primary recommendations:

1. Uphold Provincial obligations for affordable housing through investment in the sector
   1. Capital funding for new building and transfer of viable assets at below-market values
   2. Property tax exemptions for non-profit housing providers and income tax modernization
   3. Partnering with municipal and Federal governments to streamline funding program applications
2. Create a citizen-centric housing system
3. Help facilitate private sector involvement

Both submissions also endorsed the COVID-19 Community Affordable Housing Advocacy Plan that calls for $590M in funding over the next three years to create more than 5,000 new affordable homes in Calgary. That plan, developed by a committee representing more than 40 Calgary organizations including private, public and non-profit sector participants, includes a call for $240M in funding for 22 shovel-ready projects that would provide over 1,800 new homes as well as another $275M over three years to trigger $350M in federal funding that would result in an additional 3,300 affordable homes.

Both CHC and The City of Calgary emphasized the critical importance of affordable housing for individuals to be able to succeed and contribute in our community and the very significant affordable housing shortfall in Calgary. Across Canada’s major cities, an average of 6% of housing is non-market – in Calgary it is 3.6%. Calgary needs an estimated 15,000 units of new affordable housing just to reach the average in other major cities.

Although private rentals and homeownership meet the needs of 78% of Calgary households, the need at lower income levels is very significant. The City’s 2016 Corporate Affordable Housing Strategy indicated that 60% of households earning $60k or less are overspending on housing every month. As our population grows, it is estimated that more than 100,000 households will be in housing need by 2025.

Submissions to the panel closed at the end of August and they are now reviewing information gathered across the province over the summer months. Findings are to be presented to Josephine Pon, Minister of Seniors and Housing, this fall.

Links to documents:

1. CHC Submission
2. CHC letter to the Panel
3. City of Calgary Submission
4. City of Calgary letter to the Panel
5. Community Housing Affordability Collective (CHAC) Submission
6. COVID-19 Community Affordable Housing Advocacy Plan

The post CHC and City call on Province for more funding, systemic changes in submissions to Affordable Housing Panel appeared first on Calgary Housing.

Canadian Housing and Renewal Association creates new tenant leadership group.

At Calgary Housing Company we encourage tenants to get involved with their community. The Canadian Housing and Renewal Association (CHRA) has a great opportunity for tenants who wish to become better advocates to speak on behalf of the tenant community by applying to join the CHRA’s newly formed Tenant Leadership Group, a national initiative designed to increase the capacity of tenant leadership across Canada.

Why apply to join the Tenant Leadership Group?

If you want to get more involved as a tenant in your community, and are looking for the tools and experience to help you advocate and help you become a tenant leader, then this group will be of interest to you.

The Tenant Leadership Group will provide training, resources, and leadership development to a group of approximately 25 aspiring tenant leaders across Canada.

Through this program, individuals will gain valuable skills and experiences to better enable them to speak on behalf of the tenant community.

Who can apply?

The post Opportunity for Tenants to Develop Advocacy Skills appeared first on Calgary Housing.