DESCRIPTION
Kiwewin has delivered HLP supports to Indigenous individuals and families in Grande Prairie since 2020. Currently, no coordinated HLP supports exist for rural residents in the County of Grande Prairie or the towns of Beaverlodge, Sexsmith, and Wembley, leaving a service gap for about 33,340 people. The proposed Rural HLP expansion will close this gap by supporting Indigenous and non-Indigenous individuals and families with housing loss prevention. Supports will include financial help to prevent eviction, re-housing to more affordable options, utility arrears, tenant insurance, food security, and other housing costs that threaten stability. Rural housing instability can include unsafe or aging housing and limited access to basic services. The program will keep funding flexible (1–3 months or longer where needed) to address urgent safety concerns, and will offer person-centred case management, financial literacy, and connections to mental health, substance use, and community supports to strengthen long-term housing stability.
DETAILS
Affordability Framework
The project uses an individualized affordability framework based on each participant’s income, expenses, and overall financial situation. Fixed ratios (e.g., Rent-Geared-to-Income) are used as general guidance but are not always suitable given the complexity of needs. Affordability is determined case-by-case, with a focus on long-term housing sustainability. Through financial literacy, budgeting, and connections to supports such as food security and rental assistance, participants are supported to maintain housing that is realistic and sustainable within their means.
Target Completion Date
Populations Served
Homelessness
Total Project Cost
$100,000
Total Units
N/A
Affordable Units
N/A
Project Funding
Funding Required
Requesting $100,000 in annual operational funding to support staffing, project delivery, and administrative costs.
Funds Raised
There are currently no dedicated funds supporting rural homelessness prevention in the rural areas surrounding the City of Grande Prairie. As part of this project, partnerships will be developed with participating municipalities to leverage in‑kind contributions such as office and meeting space to support program delivery.
Use of funds
The requested funds will support the delivery of a Rural Housing Loss Prevention program that is currently not available to rural residents. Funding will be used to hire a dedicated case manager to serve rural participants, cover travel costs to rural communities, and support administrative and project costs. Direct financial assistance will address rental and utility arrears, security deposits, tenant insurance, food security, and other essential costs that place housing stability at risk.
This investment will address a critical inequity for rural residents, who currently lack access to preventative housing supports available in urban settings. By providing early intervention, flexible financial assistance, and person‑centered case management, the program is expected to stabilize housing, reduce evictions, and prevent inflow into homelessness, improving safety and long‑term housing outcomes for rural individuals and families.
Human Impact Story
A single female experiencing significant mental health challengeswas struggling to maintain employment and remain financiallystable and was facing eviction. The program provided fiancialassistance for rental arrears and then further advocacy supportwith Alberta Supports, working alongside her psychiatrist to secureadditional core shelter funding. This was approved for a one-yearperiod, allowing her to consistently pay rent while focusing onimproving her mental health. The participant received 6-months of person centered case management and remained successfully housed at the 3-month follow-up.
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