What support programs are available for homeowners in Alberta?

The Province of Alberta offers a comprehensive network of support programs for homeowners, covering energy efficiency, financial assistance, housing support, and specialized support for vulnerable populations. The Alberta government recognizes that homeowners face a variety of challenges, from rising energy costs to home repairs and financial difficulties. Support programs are designed to address these issues through a combination of grants, loans, tax credits, and specialized services.

Key categories of support include energy-efficient upgrades, financial assistance for seniors, emergency assistance, utility programs, and specialized support for people with disabilities. These programs are administered by various levels of government and organizations, creating a multi-tiered support system for homeowners in Alberta.

Energy Efficiency and Home Renovation Programs

Home Upgrades Program - Free upgrades for low-income households

The Home Upgrades Program is a flagship initiative to combat energy poverty in Alberta by providing free energy-efficient upgrades to eligible families. The program serves approximately 64,000 families in Calgary and 50,000 in Edmonton who spend more than six percent of their after-tax income on energy bills.

The program was available in Calgary, Canmore, and Edmonton from 2023 to early 2025, but has now reached full capacity and is maintaining a waiting list for all applicants. Calgary residents can apply for support through the Calgary Home Upgrades Program.

Free upgrades include:

  • High-efficiency furnaces
  • New insulation
  • Air sealing and weatherization
  • Windows and weatherstripping
  • Other energy-saving measures based on individual household needs

Eligibility criteria:

  • Live in Calgary, Canmore, or Edmonton
  • Own a single-family home, duplex, or townhouse built before 1998
  • Meet income qualifications
  • Have difficulty paying energy bills

Canada Greener Homes Programs

The Canada Greener Homes Initiative offers grants ranging from $125 to $5,000 to reimburse the cost of eligible home retrofits. The maximum grant amount a household can receive is $5,600, including up to $5,000 for all eligible upgrades combined and up to $600 for pre- and post-renovation assessments combined.

The deadline to complete the Canada Greener Homes Grant program is December 31, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. (ET). Although the grant program is closed to new applicants, the Canada Greener Homes Loan remains active, offering interest-free loans of up to $40,000 for 10 years for eligible energy-efficient upgrades.

Eligible upgrades include:

  • Insulation
  • Windows and doors
  • Space heating and cooling systems and water heating
  • Solar panels
  • Other energy-efficient upgrades

Municipal energy efficiency programs

The Edmonton Home Energy Retrofit Accelerator (HERA) program provides additional rebates for energy-efficient upgrades for Edmonton residents with no maximum limit. The City of Edmonton also offers a rebate for the installation of solar systems on homes to generate renewable energy, which can be combined with the Canada Greener Homes Grant.

The St. Albert Home Energy Efficiency Grant (HEEG) provides additional rebates for energy-efficient upgrades for St. Albert residents, up to 50% of the homeowner's investment. The Canmore Solar Incentive Program offers an annual rebate program for residents and businesses to help with the cost of purchasing and installing a rooftop solar photovoltaic system.

Financial support for seniors

Alberta Seniors Benefit and related programs

The Alberta Seniors Benefit provides monthly assistance to eligible low-income seniors to help with living expenses. The maximum payment from this benefit is $5,105 per payment period. To qualify, applicants must be 65 years of age or older, be Canadian citizens or persons legally admitted to Canada for permanent residence, and have been residents of Alberta for at least 3 months.

Support for low-income seniors through Alberta Seniors Benefits will increase by $33 million (6.5%) in 2025-26 and grow by an additional 14.6% by 2027-28. The government has also allocated $572.8 million in grants and low-interest equity loans to support more than 197,000 low-income seniors.

Seniors Home Adaptation and Repair Program (SHARP)

SHARP provides low-interest loans secured by home equity to help eligible seniors finance home repairs, adaptations, and renovations. For seniors with very low incomes who do not qualify for a SHARP loan, SHARP grants may be available.

Eligibility criteria for SHARP grants:

  • 65 years of age or older (only one spouse or partner must be 65)
  • Canadian citizens or persons who have been legally admitted to Canada for permanent residence
  • Alberta residents who have lived in Alberta for at least 3 months
  • Retired with income below SHARP grant income thresholds

Income thresholds:

  • Single retiree with total annual income of $34,770 or less
  • Retired couple with total combined annual income of $56,820 or less

Seniors Property Tax Deferral Program

The Seniors Property Tax Deferral Program allows eligible retired homeowners to voluntarily defer all or part of their property taxes through a low-interest equity loan with the Alberta government. The current interest rate is 4.95%, which is reviewed and may be adjusted every 6 months in April and October.

Key features of the program:

  • Eligibility is NOT based on income
  • Minimum 25% home ownership required
  • No monthly payments required
  • Loan automatically becomes term loan upon sale of home, when you are no longer the registered owner, or when the home is no longer your primary residence

Utility and Energy Bill Assistance

Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP)

LEAP offers a one-time grant to help cover electricity or natural gas bills for qualified low-income households. Eligibility for these programs often depends on factors such as household income, family size, and total energy consumption. LEAP assistance is typically targeted to families who fall below a specific income threshold and are facing an immediate risk of energy service disconnection.

Winter Utility Reconnection Program

The Winter Utility Reconnection Program is an initiative in partnership with the Utilities Consumer Advocate (UCA), the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC), utility retailers and distributors, and other government agencies such as Alberta Works and AISH. The program is designed to help customers with overdue balances on their utility bills who have received a Notice of Expected Disconnection or whose utilities have been disconnected to get reconnected before cold weather sets in.

Key features of the program include:

  • Available annually to protect vulnerable customers during Alberta's cold months
  • Provides necessary support to keep lights and heat on in homes
  • Friends or family members can make payments on behalf of those who are having difficulty paying their bills

Alberta Works and Emergency Needs Allowance

Alberta Works helps low-income and unemployed Albertans. For those who don't have the money to cover basic needs and requirements, Alberta Works offers Income Support to eligible Albertans. In addition to medical benefits and job training, the Income Support program provides emergency assistance and assistance with utility disconnection notices.

The Emergency Needs Allowance program in Alberta offers one-time financial assistance to eligible individuals experiencing unforeseen emergencies. These emergencies must pose serious health risks and cannot be managed with current resources or the expectation of regular income.

Tax Assistance and Benefit Programs

Property Tax Assistance Program

If you are a residential property owner experiencing financial hardship, regardless of age, you may be eligible for a credit/grant increase to your property tax bill. The program opens on June 1, and applications must be submitted by December 31, 2025.

Eligibility criteria:

  • Be the owner of the subject property for at least 365 consecutive days prior to the end of the tax year
  • Not own any other property within the City of Calgary
  • The subject property must show an increase in its property tax assessment from year to year

Alberta Child Benefit and Family Tax Credits

The Alberta government offers the Alberta Child Benefit (ACB) to households with children under 18 and a total household income of less than $41,220 per year. The value of the benefit is based on a number of variables, with total annual benefits ranging from $0 to a maximum of $2,760. Families who qualify for the ACB may also be eligible for the Alberta Family Employment Tax Credit, which can be worth up to $2,012 per year.

GST and Housing Rebate Programs

Alberta offers several rebate programs for homeowners:

  • Investment Property Rebate: up to $6,300 for newly constructed rental properties
  • Substantial Renovation Rebate: up to $6,300 for substantial renovations to your primary residence
  • Custom Home Rebate: up to $6,300 for custom homes built as a primary residence

Emergency and Disaster Assistance Programs

Hazard Assistance and Resilience Program (HARP)

HARP (formerly known as the Disaster Recovery Program) is a conditional grant program that provides financial assistance to local governments, state agencies, homeowners, and small businesses to help them recover from a natural disaster. HARP includes a cost-sharing arrangement with local governments and private sector applicants, where the Alberta government will provide assistance for 90% of eligible disaster costs, with the remaining 10% being the responsibility of the applicant.

Homeowner funding limitations:

  • 90:10 cost split for first-time applicants
  • 80:20 cost split for second-time applicants
  • 70:30 cost split for third-time applicants
  • Property address is eligible for a maximum of three HARP applications

Qualifying disasters include:

  • Floods
  • Wildfires
  • Tornadoes
  • Other natural hazard events that are not covered by insurance

Specialized support for vulnerable groups

Mental Health and Housing Support

CMHA Calgary provides several housing support programs for adults with serious and persistent mental health conditions. Programs include the Supportive Living Program, Apartment Program, Continuing Connections, and Independent Living Support. Although CMHA Calgary is not a direct provider of housing, they work closely with partners such as Alberta Health Services to connect individuals with housing resources.

Alberta Health Services provides supported housing options and clinical support as needed for adults with serious and persistent mental health issues. The program provides recovery-oriented housing and clinical support with the overall goal of promoting independence and recovery through various levels of supportive housing environments.

Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH)

The Alberta government offers financial assistance to those with severe and permanent disabilities through the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) program. Eligible applicants are entitled to monthly assistance of up to $1,588, as well as a range of medical benefits.

Support programs for first-time home buyers

Alberta offers several support programs for first-time home buyers:

  • 30-Year Amortization: First-time buyers have the option of choosing a 30-year amortization on their mortgage for lower monthly payments
  • Home Buyers' Plan (HBP): allows you to withdraw up to $60,000 per person (up to $120,000 for couples) tax-free from your RRSP
  • First-Time Home Buyers' Tax Credit: up to $10,000 tax credit
  • PEAK Program: assistance with the down payment of up to 5% of the purchase price
  • Edmonton First Place Program: allows you to defer land costs for five years
  • Attainable Homes Calgary: $2,000 down payment assistance for eligible applicants

Practical steps to access support programs

Centralized resources and contacts

For information on financial assistance programs for seniors, contact the Alberta Supports Contact Centre at 1-877-644-9992 or 780-644-9992 if you are in Edmonton. 211 Alberta provides a 24/7 information service to help you find additional resources—just dial 211 or visit their website.

The Utilities Consumer Advocate (UCA) can help coordinate payment arrangements with retail utility providers and work to prevent utility disconnections. Contact the UCA at 310-4822 (in Alberta) or 780-644-5130, or by email at [email protected].

Online services and applications

New online options are available for pensioner financial assistance programs:

  • A quick, easy, and secure way to complete your pensioner financial assistance application online
  • Use your MyAlberta Account to view the status of your Alberta Seniors Benefit application, update your banking information, and submit claims
  • Submit documents online—the easiest way to send applications and updated information

Application preparation and documentation

Most programs require standard documentation:

  • Proof of income
  • Proof of property ownership
  • Identification
  • Recent utility bills (for energy assistance programs)
  • Insurance documents (for emergency assistance programs)

Homeowners in Alberta have access to a wide range of support programs, from energy-efficient upgrades to financial assistance and specialized support for vulnerable populations. The key to success is understanding eligibility criteria, preparing the necessary documentation, and submitting applications in a timely manner. Many programs have limited budgets or seasonal availability, so early application is critical. Centralized resources such as 211 Alberta and Alberta Supports can provide guidance on the best programs for your specific needs and circumstances.