More than 80 communities across Alberta will be getting temporary rent assistance 

The temporary rent assistance benefit program was initially launched in Alberta’s seven major populations:  

  • Calgary Housing Company 

  • Civida (Edmonton) 

  • Grande Spirit Foundation 

  • Lethbridge Housing Authority 

  • Medicine Hat Community Housing Society 

  • Red Deer Housing Authority 

  • Wood Buffalo Housing & Development Corporation 

The rent program will be spreading to smaller communities now including Airdrie, Fort Macleod, Rocky Mountain House and Conklin. 

The Temporary Rent Assistance Benefit will provide a subsidy for low-income working households or people who are between jobs. Support will be available for up to two years to help tenants pay their rent while they stabilize their situation.  

The benefit will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis and is paid directly to eligible tenants. The benefit amount is determined by household size and location, and is a minimum of $100 per month.  

Households may be eligible if they are below the local income thresholds as defined here, or people who are currently employed or have been employed in the last 24 months and are not receiving social assistance.  

The hope is to aid more Albertans to help pay their rent. Expanding the use of rent supplements to better use existing rental market capacity as part of Alberta’s Stronger Foundations affordable housing strategy, a continued effort by the Albertan government, who committed 7.2 million towards the Temporary Rent Assistance Benefit in the budget for 2022.  

Albertans can learn more or check if they qualify online at alberta.ca/RentAssistance. 

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