How to get help with rent?

Calgary offers an extensive support system for residents who need assistance with housing. There are several programs and organizations in the city that provide financial assistance, subsidies, and counseling to help people find affordable housing. This article takes a detailed look at all the rental assistance options available in Calgary.

Provincial rental assistance programs

Rent Assistance Benefit (RAB)

Rent Assistance Benefit is the primary long-term financial support program for low-income Albertans. The program replaced the previous Direct Rent Supplement and provides direct payments to tenants to reduce their housing costs.

Key features of the program:

  • Payments are made directly to tenants
  • The amount is calculated based on household income and local market rent
  • Households are prioritized based on need
  • May be renewed annually without restrictions, provided eligibility criteria are met
  • Available through most housing authorities across Alberta

Eligibility criteria:

  • Household income must be below local income thresholds
  • Applicants must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or refugees
  • Must have a lease outside of buildings managed by the Calgary Housing Company

Temporary Rent Assistance Benefit (TRAB)

Temporary Rent Assistance Benefit is a short-term support program for low-income Albertans who are working or between jobs.

Program features:

  • Payments are made directly to tenants
  • Available in Alberta's seven largest cities, including Calgary
  • Amount is calculated based on household size and location
  • Two-year limit with eligibility reassessment after the first year
  • Amount is reduced in the second year

Eligibility criteria:

  • Households must have incomes below local thresholds
  • Applicants must be employed or have worked within the last 24 months
  • Must not be receiving social assistance, including Income Support, AISH, or Alberta Seniors Benefit

Application process for provincial programs

Applications for both programs are submitted through the Calgary Housing Company. The process includes:

  1. Registering on the Calgary Housing Company online portal
  2. Completing the application through the Applicant Portal
  3. Submitting the required documents, including proof of income and identity
  4. Waiting for your application to be reviewed – funding is limited, so not all qualified applicants may be approved

Contact information:

Calgary Housing Company Programs

Subsidized Housing

Calgary Housing Company is Alberta's largest provider of affordable housing, managing over 10,000 units of subsidized and affordable housing.

Types of programs:

  • Community Housing Program:

  • Rent is set at no more than 30% of acceptable income

  • Minimum monthly rent ranges from $120 to $350

  • Income must be below Housing Income Limits

  • Annual income verification

  • Program has a waiting list

  • Affordable Housing Program:

  • Fixed rents are set at approximately 30% below average market rents

  • Income must be below Housing Income Limits

  • Annual income verification

  • Near Market Housing:

  • Rents are approximately 10% below average market rents as determined by CMHC

  • Income must be below the Maximum Income Limits for the Near Market program

  • No waiting list — available units are advertised on the open market

Eligibility criteria for Calgary Housing Company

Mandatory requirements (all three criteria):

  1. Citizenship and immigration status:
  • Canadian citizenship
  • Permanent residency
  • Refugee, sponsored by the Canadian government, or a person who has applied for refugee status
  1. Income restrictions:
Apartment size Maximum allowable income
Studio $54,500
1 bedroom $65,000
2 bedrooms $77,000
3 bedrooms $85,000
4+ bedrooms $96,500
  1. Asset limits:
  • Less than $25,000 in household assets
  • Includes bank accounts, investments (except RRSPs and RESPs), and real estate holdings
  • First car is exempt from calculation

Current status of waiting lists

As of 2024, the Calgary Housing Company is experiencing significant growth in applications:

  • 7,184 households on the waiting list as of April 2024
  • An increase from approximately 5,000 families in April 2023
  • An average of nearly 600 new applicants per month
  • The long-term average was 200 applicants per month

Calgary Fair Entry Program

Fair Entry is a centralized application process for low-income Calgarians applying for subsidized city programs and services.

Programs included in Fair Entry

  • Calgary Transit Low Income Youth and Adult Monthly Passes
  • Calgary Transit Low Income Seniors Yearly Pass
  • Recreation Fee Assistance
  • No Cost Spay/Neuter Program
  • Seniors Services Home Maintenance
  • Property Tax Assistance Program
  • Calgary Parking Low-Income Market Permit
  • High-Speed Low-Cost Internet and Other Telecom Services

Eligibility criteria for Fair Entry

  1. Residence in Calgary:
  • Must currently reside in Calgary
  1. Income restrictions:
Family size Total income (Line 15000)
1 person $31,264
2 people $38,922
3 people $47,851
4 people $58,096
5 people $65,892
6 people $74,315
7 people $82,739

Acceptable proof of income:

  • Assured Income for Severely Handicapped benefits (AISH)
  • Alberta Works: Income Support
  • Foundational Learning Assistance
  • Alberta Works - Alberta Health Benefit
  • Resettlement Assistance Program
  • Canada Revenue Notice of Assessment
  • Letter from a registered social worker
  • Letter for independent youth

How to apply for Fair Entry

Online application:

  1. Visit the City of Calgary website
  2. Log in to your my ID account or create a new personal account
  3. Start a new application and follow the instructions on the screen
  4. Answer the questions one at a time
  5. Go through each section carefully
  6. Submit your application

Application by mail or fax:

  1. Download and complete the application form
  2. Prepare the required documents:
  • Proof of Calgary address
  • Proof of age
  • Proof of income
  1. Mail or fax the signed application

Emergency Financial Assistance

Basic Needs Fund

The Basic Needs Fund offers emergency support to individuals and families in financial crisis with a one-time grant to address an immediate need.

What the fund covers:

  • Rent arrears and eviction notices
  • Utility arrears and disconnection notices
  • First month's rent and security deposit
  • Unforeseen medical expenses

Eligibility criteria:

  • Individuals who have attempted to obtain funding through the Alberta Works Emergency Fund at 1-877-644-9992
  • Residents of Calgary or surrounding areas
  • Living on a low income (below the low income cut-off) or experiencing a temporary financial crisis
  • Have a stable monthly income sufficient to cover basic needs under normal circumstances

How to apply:

  • Call 2-1-1 to apply
  • Required documents include photo ID, copy of lease agreement, bank statements for the last 90 days, proof of income

Alberta Emergency Financial Assistance

The provincial emergency financial assistance program is available to those who have experienced an unforeseen emergency.

Program criteria:

  • The situation is caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond your control
  • Poses a serious risk to health
  • Unable to access other resources or wait until your next paycheck

Contact:

  • Alberta Supports Contact Centre: 1-877-644-9992
  • Toll-free 24-hour Emergency Income Support Contact Centre: 1-866-644-5135

Support programs for specific groups

First Month's Rent and Security Deposit Assistance

In 2023, the City of Calgary, the Calgary Homeless Foundation, and United Way partnered to create a First and Last Month's Rent Assistance Program.

Program Details:

  • Total funding of $600,000 ($200,000 from each organization)
  • Designed to help people overcome “initial barriers to access” to housing
  • Provides a fast track to housing when people find suitable and affordable rental opportunities

Programs for seniors

  • Silvera for Seniors:

  • Waiting list of over 1,000 people for independent living

  • Returns 60-70 units per year

  • Some units may be available within 6 months depending on specific requirements

  • Trinity Place Foundation of Alberta:

  • Minimum age of 65 (for couples, one spouse must be 65)

  • Maximum income limits: $39,000/year (studio), $49,000/year (1 bedroom), $59,000/year (2 bedrooms)

Support for refugees and newcomers

  • Resettlement Assistance Program:
  • Recognized as acceptable proof of income for Fair Entry and housing programs
  • Newcomers, including Ukrainians arriving under the CUAET program, are eligible for support

Support organizations and resources

SORCe (Single Point of Access)

SORCe is located on the north side of the City Hall LRT platform in the free ride zone.

Services:

  • System navigation and housing assistance for homeless individuals and families
  • Administration of interviews using the Needs and Services Questionnaire (NSQ)
  • Homelessness prevention through information and referrals
  • Financial empowerment program
  • ID replacement program

Hours:

  • Monday-Friday: 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
  • Closed at 12:00 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month

211 Alberta

211 is a free, confidential, and multilingual telephone service that can connect you to many programs and services.

How to use:

  • Call 2-1-1 for information about services throughout Alberta
  • Available 24 hours a day
  • Can help with the Basic Needs Fund and other emergency assistance programs

Calgary Homeless Foundation

The Calgary Homeless Foundation leads the fight against homelessness, but does not directly provide housing or resources.

What they do:

  • Distribute funding from governments and donors to agencies in the city
  • Help deliver housing programs, support services, and rent subsidies
  • Support programs ranging from those that move people out of shelters and into homes to those that provide people with housing and support

Upcoming initiatives and programs

Housing Capital Initiative (HCI)

The City of Calgary has launched the Housing Capital Initiative, a $60 million initiative designed to provide financial support to housing partners.

Program details:

  • $60 million over the next three years
  • Housing partners are expected to use the $60 million city investment to leverage at least $140 million from other levels of government
  • Focus on homes for Calgarians
  • Organizations may apply for up to 30% of the total project cost

Eligibility:

  • Registered charitable organizations, associations, other non-profit organizations in Alberta
  • Indigenous urban social or housing organizations with a registered office in Calgary
  • Wholly owned subsidiaries of the City of Calgary

Housing Incentive Program (HIP)

The City of Calgary's Housing Incentive Program encourages the construction of affordable housing units.

What it provides:

  • Grant of up to $50,000 for pre-development activities for an affordable housing project
  • Discount on applicable city development fees for an affordable housing project

Affordable rental criteria:

  • The average rent for the building must not exceed 90% of the average market rent
  • Affordable rental units must be operated as affordable for at least 20 years

Tips for a successful application

Document preparation

Basic documents for most programs:

  • Proof of citizenship or immigration status
  • Proof of income (best options: AISH, Alberta Works, Notice of Assessment)
  • Proof of address in Calgary
  • Bank statements
  • Lease agreement or Rent Report (if applicable)

Tips for applying:

  • Apply early — waiting lists are long and continue to grow
  • Be accurate — incomplete applications will not be processed
  • Keep copies of all documents
  • Meet application deadlines
  • Apply to multiple programs — apply to different programs at the same time

What to expect

Timeframe:

  • Fair Entry: Approval for 12 months
  • Calgary Housing Company: Waiting list can be 2-5 years for some programs
  • Basic Needs Fund: Funding can take 1-3 weeks
  • RAB/TRAB: Funding is limited, not all eligible applicants may be approved

Prioritization:

  • Most programs use a priority-based system, not “first come, first served”
  • Priority is based on need, including current situation, percentage of income spent on rent, and emergency situations

Challenges and limitations

Current housing crisis

Calgary is experiencing a significant housing crisis:

  • At least 84,600 households (nearly 1 in 5) could not afford housing in 2021
  • By 2026, the number of households in need of affordable housing is projected to reach approximately 100,000
  • An annual income of $84,000 is needed to adequately pay the average market rent in 2023

System limitations

Key challenges:

  • Limited funding — not all eligible applicants can be approved
  • Long waiting lists — some programs have waiting lists of 2-5 years
  • Low turnover — fewer people are moving from subsidized housing to the private market
  • Growing demand — nearly 600 new applicants per month compared to a long-term average of 200

Contact information and resources

Key contacts

  • Calgary Housing Company:

  • Phone: (587) 390-1200 (press 2)

  • Email: [email protected]

  • Client service offices:

  • West office: 1701 Centre St. N.W.

  • East office: 320, 433 Marlborough Way N.E.

  • South office: 18, 6624 Centre St. S.E.

  • Fair Entry:

  • Phone: 311

  • Online applications via the City of Calgary website

  • Alberta Supports Contact Centre:

  • Phone: 1-877-644-9992

  • Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:15 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

  • Emergency assistance:

  • 211 (Basic Needs Fund)

  • 1-866-644-5135 (Emergency Income Support)

  • SORCe:

  • Address: 316, 7th Avenue SE

  • Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.

Online resources

  • Calgary Housing Company: calgaryhousingcompany.org
  • Fair Entry: calgary.ca/fairentry
  • Alberta rent assistance: alberta.ca/rent-assistance
  • 211 Alberta: ab.211.ca

Obtaining rental assistance in Calgary requires an understanding of the various programs available and their requirements. While the system is comprehensive, it also faces significant challenges due to growing demand and limited resources. Applying early, preparing the necessary documents, and utilizing multiple programs simultaneously can improve your chances of receiving assistance. It is important to be patient, as the process can take time, but support is available for those who meet the eligibility criteria.