The post East District Office to Re-Open May 16 appeared first on Calgary Housing.

If you’ve visited us online before, you will likely notice that we’ve refreshed the look and feel of our site!

This revised site is the result of some back end work we’ve done to make the site run a bit smoother and more efficiently – we hope it will enhance your experience of the site.

There are a few changes to the way content is presented – but the site has the same core information and functions as the previous version.

We’re looking forward to bringing out an enhanced site with new functionality and tools for applicants and residents later in 2022 – stay tuned!

The post Welcome to CHC’s Updated Home on the Web appeared first on Calgary Housing.

Following a review, the Government of Alberta has re-designed its Rent Supplement Programs.

The new programs – Rent Assistance Benefit and Temporary Rent Assistance Benefit were announced by the province earlier this year and applications are now open through Calgary Housing Company. The Rent Assistance Benefit opened for applications on April 1. The Temporary Rent Assistance Benefit opened for applications on May 1.

The Private Landlord Rent Supplement (PLRS) program remains closed and is not accepting any new applications.

Rent Assistance Benefit (formerly Direct to tenant Rent Supplement)

The Rent Assistance Benefit is a long-term benefit available to subsidize the rent for Albertans with low income.

Benefit features:

• paid directly to tenants
• available through most housing management bodies across Alberta
• households are eligible if they are below local income thresholds
• amount is calculated based on household income and local market rent
• households are prioritized based on need
• may be renewed annually
• no limit to benefit renewals if eligible

Temporary Rent Assistance Benefit

The Temporary Rent Assistance Benefit provides a modest subsidy for working households with low income or those between jobs. Support is intended to help eligible tenants afford their rent while they stabilize or improve their situation.

Benefit features:

• paid directly to tenants
• available in Calgary, Edmonton, Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat and Red Deer
• households are eligible if they are employed or have been employed in the last 24 months and are not receiving Income Supports,
• amount calculated based on household size and location – will be reduced in the second year
• two-year limit with eligibility reassessed after the first year
• households are served off of CHC’s pre-qualification list
• households can reapply for rent assistance at the end of 2 years

For more information on eligibility or to apply for these programs, please visit the Rent Assistance Section on our website.

The post New Rent Assistance Programs appeared first on Calgary Housing.

On Friday, March 26 the Government of Alberta announced the Rental Assistance Redesign to the provincial rent supplement program.

The redesign provides housing support for 11,600 households across Alberta – an increase of 3,800 from current levels.

Calgary Housing Company manages rent supplement programs for the Province in Calgary where there are currently approximately 2,000 households receiving rent supplement support.

The province has indicated that the changes are intended to respond to the needs of working households while still providing support for the most vulnerable. Critically, the changes to the program will have no impact on benefit levels for the most vulnerable, particularly those receiving AISH or Income Supports.

CHC is working with the Province to understand the details of the changes, specific budget allocation for Calgary and details of both changes for existing program participants and the rollout of new programs.

Starting April 1, CHC will be accepting applications for the Rent Assistance Benefit. Formerly, the Direct to Tenant Rent Supplement, this long-term benefit will continue to subsidize low income Albertans.

Starting May 1, CHC will be accepting applications for the Temporary Rent Assistance Benefit. This new benefit will provide a modest subsidy to help eligible tenants afford their rent while they stabilize or improve their situation.

You do not have to submit a new application if you are already on the CHC waitlist and you identified Rent Supplement as one of your program selections. If you have an active application but are unsure if you selected Rent Supplement as an option, please call (587) 390-1200 to confirm your information.

Additional information about the redesigned Rental Assistance programs will be posted on this site as it becomes available.

For more information, you can view the Government of Alberta announcement here.

The post Province Announces Redesigned Rent Supplement Programs appeared first on Calgary Housing.

We are pleased to let current Calgary Housing Company Tenants and individuals with existing applications for housing know of an exciting development that will help ensure the ongoing availability of over 1,000 City-owned affordable homes managed by Calgary Housing Company.

Affordable housing programs are funded in partnership by the Government of Canada, Government of Alberta and The City of Calgary. The City of Calgary and the Government of Alberta recently signed a renewed funding agreement for City owned social housing of $34 Million over the next four years. Without this agreement there would have been a significant decrease in subsidies.

Calgary Housing Company operates a number of affordable housing portfolios, totalling over 7,200 households across the city. The agreement announced on February 18, 2021 affects the 1,000 units in the City-owned Community Housing Portfolio.

For Existing Tenants

Residents of homes in the City-owned Community Housing Portfolio are being contacted individually to make them aware of the intent of the agreement.

Calgary Housing Company is committed to providing safe, affordable housing and supporting individual and community wellbeing. If you have any immediate questions about this new agreement, please email chccustomerservice@calgary.ca.

For Individuals with Existing Applications for Housing

CHC Applicants are advised that as units under this new agreement become vacant, CHC will be renting these units at set rent rates. If you are already on the CHC waitlist and you meet the minimum qualifications, then your application will be considered for these units.

Calgary Housing Company is committed to providing safe, affordable housing and supporting individual and community wellbeing.

Click here to read the full release on this new agreement from The City of Calgary.

The post Information for Tenants and Applicants on New Housing Agreement appeared first on Calgary Housing.

February 18, 2021

City of Calgary Information Release

Click here to view this release on Calgary.ca

The City of Calgary, and the Government of Alberta reached a four-year $34M operating and capital funding agreement to enable the continued provision of affordable housing for 1,048 households. These homes are managed by Calgary Housing Company.

This agreement is part of an affordable housing strategy for Calgary that is aimed at both maintaining and increasing the affordable housing supply locally and has helped create an average of 300 affordable homes/year over the last 10 years. This agreement will contribute to that strategy by maintaining 1,048 homes, which represent approximately 8 per cent of the total supply of affordable housing in Calgary.

“This new agreement sets the stage for the housing plan we need in Calgary. The mixed-rent model will create a more financially sustainable model for affordable housing,” says Mayor Naheed Nenshi. “When this is combined with our push for greater federal investment in the supply of housing for those below the income threshold, we have an opportunity before us to create a system that will ensure dignity, opportunity, and security for anyone in Calgary in need of a home.”

The signing of this funding agreement with the Government of Alberta will enable the transition of all City-owned social housing to a social housing mixed-rent model. This agreement has many benefits:

• It will continue to serve households living in poverty. All households served will be under Alberta’s low-income thresholds for affordable housing.
• The new agreement will enable policies that are being piloted to focus on positive housing outcomes for tenants including a focus on moving residents – and the children of residents – out of poverty.
  • One great example is that under the new agreement, the income of youths will no longer be included in rent calculations, enabling youth under the age of 22 to earn and save their own money without any sort of penalty to the household.
• Reduced reliance on government subsidy over time. The social housing mixed-rent model means that this portfolio of housing will include a variety of rental rates, from deeply discounted rent that is set to a percentage of tenant income, to rents set within the higher range of social housing. This mix improves financial viability and sustainability, while allowing tenants of varying financial means to live side-by-side as neighbours
• It helps ensure that there is adequate funding for investment and repairs. The agreement includes certainty of funding for $34M in operating and capital for repairs and maintenance.
• Households are better supported to move out of poverty as their situation changes.

To maintain the supply of existing housing through a social housing mixed-rent model, the new agreement will come into effect over the next four years, starting in 2021. The original housing agreements funded jointly between the City of Calgary, the Government of Alberta and the Government of Canada, were set to expire between 2021 and 2024.

“It’s important to remember that affordable housing is about people,” says Councillor Druh Farrell. “People in stable housing have greater chances to find and keep jobs, to learn and build skills, and be active participants in their communities. This agreement to maintain homes for those most in need, is one of many necessary steps to meet the growing need in Calgary.”

Access to safe and stable housing helps create inclusive communities and adds to the overall health, prosperity and safety of our city. This agreement is one step forward to achieving the goals of The City Corporate Affordable Housing Strategy to modernize aging provincially funded social housing, reducing reliance on government funding while also investing in the development of new mixed income housing to increase affordable housing supply for Calgarians.

“Alberta’s government knows affordable housing is critical to create inclusive communities and to build economic prosperity for all Albertans. Renewing Alberta’s affordable housing system will result in more flexible, fair and inclusive housing options that meet Albertan’s needs now, and in the future, including for the City of Calgary. Alberta’s government is pleased to continue our ongoing commitment and ensure Albertans have access to safe, stable, and affordable housing.” -Seniors and Housing Minister Josephine Pon

This agreement is well aligned with the recent recommendations of the Alberta Affordable Housing Review Panel report that was accepted by the Province in December, specifically the recommendation to “support and encourage the development of innovative operating models such as the mixed-income, mixed-use, and mixed-tenure housing developments, which will create community benefits and increases the sustainability of affordable housing.”

A key objective of both the City and the Province when entering into these negotiations was to maintain these homes as affordable housing through this agreement, ensuring that citizens in need of affordable housing services continued to get the opportunity to achieve positive outcomes towards their individual and community well-being and make life better every day.

For more information, visit: calgary.ca/affordablehousing

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Quick facts:

• More than 100,000 Calgary households are forecast to be in housing need [1]by 2025.
• Nearly 1 in 5 Calgary households are struggling with housing costs.
• Calgary is in need of 2,000-2,500 new affordable homes each year. We must retain existing housing and build or acquire new homes.
• This agreement is a joint affordable housing commitment and partnership between The City of Calgary and The Government of Alberta that helps to ensure that affordable housing in Calgary is adequately funded and maintained to meet health and safety requirements and help meet the need for affordable housing.
• Affordable housing programs are funded in partnership by the Government of Canada, Government of Alberta and The City of Calgary.
• Housing underpins individual and community wellbeing and is crucial to enabling people to participate economically by holding a job or pursuing education.

• It actually costs less in tax-payer dollars to provide citizens experiencing homelessness with affordable housing. They will rely less on other public supports, such as shelters, healthcare and emergency services.

The post City of Calgary signs modernized housing agreement with the Government of Alberta appeared first on Calgary Housing.

Calgary Housing Company (CHC) is replacing its software system. We are excited about getting a new system that will improve housing services, application processing, invoice processing and enhance our reporting.

The new software is being implemented in two phases. The first phase is being installed at the end of June and is focused on replacing internal systems. The second phase will be installed before the end of 2020 and it will allow our field staff to work from their mobile devices, as well as allow applications and invoices to be submitted online.

Moving from one technology to another is a significant undertaking and we ask for your patience as we go through this transition. Our existing system will shut down on June 11, so we will be unable to access electronic files from June 12-19.

During this time we will continue to accept applications and invoices, but we will be unable to process them until the new system is available. If you pay your rent or receive your subsidy electronically, we have been working directly with our bank to make every effort at making this transition seamless. If you notice any errors in your electronic rent or subsidy payments, you should contact your bank directly.

There will be no disruption to housing services, emergency maintenance service, construction projects or procurement services.

All staff will continue to be available to provide support and service. They can be reached via their regular contact information or our Customer Service team at (587) 390-1200.

Thank you for your patience!

The post Calgary Housing Company Software Replacement in June appeared first on Calgary Housing.

Calgary Housing (CH) tenants and others in need of affordable housing support have a new place to reach us.

CH is launching a six-month pilot project with the Safe Communities Opportunity and Resource Centre (SORCe) at its downtown location. Starting March 27, a CH employee will provide a centralized intake process and customer service at SORCe Tuesday and Thursday. The location will be open from 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.

The services offered at the SORCe location will include:
• Intake of applications and application updates for housing
• Rent payments
• General inquiries related to housing

The following services available at our three district offices will not be available at the SORCe location immediately:
• Meetings with property managers, account administrators, tenant liaisons or maintenance staff
• Payments and processing for the rent supplement program

CH will receive referrals through the coordinated intake process and refer clients to SORCe partner agencies and collaborating services, when appropriate.

SORCe is a multi-agency collaborative offering more than 20 programs to people in need, including: physical health, mental health, addictions, criminal justice, employment, domestic violence, supportive housing and more. The office is located at 316 Seventh Ave. SE on the north side of the City Hall CTrain platform.

The downtown location near a CTrain platform is designed to improve access for clients to CH services while co-locating with SORCe offers an opportunity to provide more seamless service to clients seeking support from multiple agencies.

The post Calgary Housing coming to SORCe appeared first on Calgary Housing.

Effective January 1, 2018

As part of the Government of Alberta’s Affordable Housing Strategy, changes have been made to SHAR which determines how Calgary Housing Company manages its waitlist – including eligibility and placement of applicants into housing.

What Do I Need to Know?

• The changes made to the Regulations are intended to ensure Albertans in need of affordable housing are prioritized in a consistent manner.
• The changes made will also support households to develop savings, and remove barriers to continued employment or requiring households to use up savings before being considered eligible for affordable housing
• A highlight of some of the changes include:
• The asset limit for households has been increased from $7,000 to $25,000
• There is no limit on a household’s primary vehicle; and a second vehicle may be exempt as well if it is a work vehicle (e.g. a work van or taxi)
• Savings accounts are exempt from income calculations for eligibility and rent including:
  • Tax Free Savings Account
  • Registered Education Savings Plan
  • Registered Disability Saving Plan
  • Registered Retirement Saving Plan
• There is no penalty for additional assets (such as work tools)
• Bursaries, scholarships and working income from dependents enrolled full-time in school will not be included in the income calculations for eligibility or rent.
• You will not be required to submit a new application to Calgary Housing Company.
• Calgary Housing Company staff are currently reviewing and updating all applications on our waiting list in light of these changes, and may contact you if we require more information.

To learn more visit www.seniors-housing.alberta.ca

Or call Calgary Housing Company office at 587-390-1200 to speak to a Customer Service Representative

The post Updates to Social Housing Regulations appeared first on Calgary Housing.

Shemsu and Meka left Ethiopia more than a decade ago seeking to build a family and create a better life. Their journey led them to Canada and eventually to Calgary Housing Company (CHC).

And after spending the last four years renting a home managed by CHC, they are about to take a leap they perhaps thought might not be within reach when they arrived in Canada ― they are becoming homeowners.

Shemsu has been a transit operator with Calgary Transit for the past seven years. He and his wife have been with CHC for four years but are in the process of moving to a home of their own through a partnership with Habitat For Humanity (Southern Alberta).

“We are thankful for the opportunity CHC provided our family over the past four years. It brought a new level of stability for my kids,” says Shemsu while watching his four children ages six, four, and two and a half year-old twins, play in the living room. “My oldest child lived in three places in Calgary in the first couple years before we moved into our current home. We were definitely glad that CHC helped us provide something safer, healthier, and more stable, especially as our family grew.”

CHC and Habitat are partnering to bring qualified families closer to affordable home ownership. This includes families nearing the top of the income range for CHC housing who are thinking about options for their next home.

Habitat offers the families they partner with the opportunity to own with $0 down payment on the home, an interest free mortgage with flexible repayment terms, and monthly mortgage payments geared to income. Habitat is a globally-recognized not-for-profit that works with governments, sponsors, donors, community partners, and volunteers to build affordable homes across Canada and the globe.

As part of their partnership with Habitat, Shemsu and Meka are required to complete 500 hours of mandatory volunteering with the organization. Each adult in the family completes 200 and the rest can be donated by family and friends. Shemsu says he’s spent a lot of his volunteer hours working at the Habitat ReStore, adding new skills around the home including fixing and maintaining some household items. He’s also volunteered in the community where he will be moving into, helping with manual labour like painting and framing.

“It’s been a good experience and I’ve learned a lot about the community my family and I will be living in,” he says. “It’s good to feel like you belong in the community. It has a great school and lots of space for our kids to play. We are very excited to start our life in our new home.”

Shemsu, Meka and their four children are scheduled to move into their new house in early 2018.

Learn more about the partnership between CHC and Habitat For Humanity (Southern Alberta) here.

The post Habitat For Humanity partnership making homeownership a reality appeared first on Calgary Housing.