DESCRIPTION
This program will provide a proactive and flexible service in response to an escalating housing crisis. Our community has a 0% vacancy rate, high rent cost in a competitive market and hidden housing insecurity. When residents face eviction, there are few housing alternatives in our community. Current services are largely reactive and have limited capacity for early intervention, mediation, and flexible financial assistance in these crisis situations. We will deliver timely, flexible, and early prevention-focused supports designed to keep households housed and prioritize rapid emergency assistance to address short-term financial crises. The fund would provide coordinated support from our Community Services and Outreach Worker, offering short-term assistance to low-income individuals facing housing instability. Such as rental arrears, security deposits, utility bills, emergency tenant needs, and unexpected income disruptions. The program may provide light-touch mediation to help resolve landlord tenant issues before they can escalate, as well as basic tenancy education.
DETAILS
Affordability Framework
The program will support housing affordability by using the Alberta low-income thresholds to determine program qualification, and prioritizing individuals with immediate needs.
Target Completion Date
N/A
Populations Served
Homelessness
Total Project Cost
$100,000
Total Units
100
Affordable Units
100
Project Funding
Funding Required
We are seeking up to $100,000 to develop and implement a program that helps community members remain housed by providing short-term financial support for rent and utility arrears, security deposits, eviction prevention, and other housing supports.
Funds Raised
N/A
Use of funds
This fund would allow our program to assist individuals who normally “fall between the cracks” and who may not qualify for other programs or services. Another portion of this funding will be put towards our program delivery costs, including administration, case management, and in person client support. The impact of this funding will be to ensure vulnerable individuals receive timely support, preventing housing loss and reducing crisis situations. The goal is to strengthen housing stability and build resiliency within our community. By intervening early, and offering flexible, targeted support, the program aims to stabilize tenancies, reduce housing loss and insecurities, and help residents remain safely housed in a community with extremely limited housing alternatives. We have had a significant increase in calls from community members who need extra support regarding obtaining housing or needing assistance to keep their housing. This fund would help bridge the gap between levels of homelessness to secure and maintain housing. It would also support tenancy stabilization through practical planning, early identification of risk, and coordination with existing outreach services for additional systems navigation. By intervening earlier and giving education, the program will reduce avoidable evictions, strengthen housing stability, and ease pressure on an already stretched housing market.
Human Impact Story
In 2023, our Community Services Department received a one time grant funding called ‘Prevention of Homelessness Rent Assistance Program’ through the Rural Development Network. This program was extra funding that was geared to assist individuals experiencing homelessness obtain housing at a local motel. At the time, this funding helped 8 individuals obtain housing, and the goal was for them to keep the housing going once the service was completed. One of the individuals was a single grandparent with a toddler, who had been waiting for a spot to open with our affordable housing program. This one time funding was able to bridge the gap to help them move out of an uninhabitable housing situation with no hot water or heat, to a temporary stay at a motel until the unit became available. From there, they were able to make the transition to getting the apartment, and with supports, they have been able to maintain housing and purchase a vehicle. Receiving this funding could help others like this individual receive the supports to make them successful securing and maintaining their housing. In March 2025, a client living in an encampment began working with our outreach worker while facing complex health challenges and multifactor distress. By June, they were exploring safer options, and in July entered a women’s shelter to escape domestic violence and recover from emergency surgery. With consistent support, the client transitioned from encampment to shelter, then to a motel, and secured a permanent rental this February. Outreach remained a steady presence, helping navigate systems and resources throughout. Today, the client remains housed, but challenges persist. Stigma, landlord relations, and a fixed income continue to put their housing at risk. Access to flexible supports such as a tenant stability fund would allow our office to help ensure long-term stability.
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