DESCRIPTION
This comprehensive tenant support program strengthens long-term housing stability for City and County of Camrose residents. This program takes a 3-pronged approach: Access to Housing: Rental supplements available to Coordinated Access (CA) clients. Six-month rent support provided while client becomes document ready for provincial Rental Assistance Benefit (RAB). Support is below provincial funding level. Tenant Insurance for CA clients protects both tenants and landlords. Utilities Deposits to access competitive rates for utilities. Damage Deposits to top-up Alberta Supports rates. Home furnishings from Habitat for Humanity Restore. Eviction Prevention: To support self-resolution, utilities and rental arrears provided if you do not qualify through Alberta Supports. Resource Retention: Landlords with Coordinated Access units can request Resource Retention funds to address damage caused by CA clients over the cost of regular business. Third year of funding maintains the Housing and Community Supports Navigator position with wrap-around tenant support and stabilization.
DETAILS
Affordability Framework
Individuals currently spending more than 30% of their income on housing is the established threshold for service. From there, this program emphasizes coordinated access and system navigation support to connect clients with appropriate community resources, supports and services that contribute to long-term housing stability and overall wellbeing. Funding through this program addresses gaps (both fiscal and time-bound) in provincial Rent Assistance Benefit programs and other localized support programs. It will support clients to establish and maintain housing for those who are most vulnerable according to coordinated access evaluative frameworks.
Target Completion Date
N/A
Populations Served
Homelessness
Total Project Cost
$231,500
Total Units
30
Affordable Units
N/A
Project Funding
Funding Required
Following the description, the following funds are requested:
Rental supplements - $250/month x 6 months x 10 clients per year= $15000
Tenant insurance - $25/month x 12 months x 10 clients per year= $3000
Utilities deposits - $350/client x 10 clients per year= $3500
Damage deposits - $600/client x 10 clients per year=$6000
Move-in expenses - $200/client x 10 clients per year=$2000
Utilities/rentals arrears - $250/client x 20 clients per year=$5000
Resource retention fund - $2000 x 4 CA partners x 2 clients/year = $16000
$50500 per year (3 years)
Housing and Community Supports Navigator 3rd year only $80000
Funds Raised
$236,820.00 from City of Camrose, Canada's Reaching Home Grant and in-kind support from Camrose Helps for Housing and Community Supports Navigator and related activities from 2026-28.
Use of funds
For Coordinated Access (CA) clients, financial support to enter the rental market can be the bridge to stable housing. Alberta Supports offers limited access to damage and utilities deposits. Clients on Income Support have only shared accommodation or hotel rentals within their budget. Rental supplements help a client stabilize and transition to other income sources. Finally, these supports along with tenant insurance help build relationships with property owners and managers to help our city build a Coordinated Access resource inventory. When addressing shelter diversion, utilities/rental arrears support keeps clients housed, and a resource retention fund keeps a robust inventory of rental properties open to CA. Finally, the continuation of the Housing Navigator role ensures competent response to the clients and community as the City of Camrose continues to build its response to housing precarity.
Human Impact Story
In the middle of a severe winter cold snap, a man in our community was evicted from his home after falling behind on rent. With temperatures well below freezing and nowhere safe to go, the housing worker arranged an emergency hotel room for one night so he could avoid sleeping outside and make a plan for his cat, which he refused to abandon.
The worker helped the man apply for income support, and contacted a temporary pet safekeeping program that agreed to care for the cat until he could secure stable housing. That night the man used the hotel’s Wi-Fi to search for rentals, and apply for jobs.
While waiting for income support emergency funds to be approved, he lived out of his truck and walked to his new job. During that time, the housing worker provided basic needs such as food and blankets, transit tokens, and connection to shower facilities. Meanwhile, the worker helped him navigate applications, and connect with landlords.
Within weeks, the man was able to move into stable housing. Once settled, he was reunited with his cat. Community agencies later described the case as an example of how short-term emergency assistance, coordinated housing support, and local cooperation can prevent long-term homelessness in small communities.
