The Family Housing Portfolio consists of four different programs: Direct Rentals, affordable housing, private landlord rent supplement, and direct rent supplement assistance. Eligibility for the family housing programs are based on annual income, housing need, level of assets and ability to pay rent.
DIRECT RENTALS
Information
Eligibility
Sample Photo
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Information
Eligibility
PRIVATE LANDLORD RENT SUPPLEMENT
Information
Eligibility
DIRECT RENT SUPPLEMENT ASSISTANCE
Information
Eligibility
FAMILY HOUSING APPLICATION
Information
Application Download
FAMILY HOUSING PROCESS
Assessment Information
Selection Information
Refusal & Update Information
DIRECT RENTALS:
- 1,2,3 AND 4 BEDROOM UNITS
- RURAL AND URBAN SETTINGS
- RENT IS BASED ON 30% OF GROSS INCOME
- ANNUAL INCOME REVIEWS APPLY
- ASSET TESTING APPLIES
- HEAT, WATER & SEWER INCLUDED
- FRIDGE AND STOVE INCLUDED
- APARTMENTS OR DUPLEXES
- PUBLICLY OWNED BUILDINGS, GOVERNMENT OF ALBERTA AND CITY OF GRANDE PRAIRIE
- SUBSIDIZED RENTALS
- PROJECT DEFICITS COVERED BY THE PROVINCIAL AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS
Eligibility:
· Unable to acquire or maintain adequate or suitable housing without paying more than 30% of total income for rent
· Falls within the established guidelines for asset limits
· Household income less than the established thresholds
AFFORDABLE HOUSING:
- PRIVATELY OWNED APARTMENT BUILDINGS
- BACHELOR, 1, 2, AND 3 BEDROOM APARTMENTS
- FRIDGE AND STOVE INCLUDED
- HEAT, SEWER AND WATER INCLUDED
- ANNUAL INCOME REVIEWS APPLY
- ASSET TESTING DOES NOT APPLY
- 25 WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE UNITS
- RENTAL RATES ARE 10% OR MORE BELOW MARKET RENTS IN THE COMMUNITY.
Eligibility:
· Household income must be less than the established thresholds
PRIVATE LANDLORD RENT SUPPLEMENT
- PRIVATELY OWNED APPARTMENT BUILDINGS
- RENT IS BASED ON 30% OF GROSS INCOME
- MONTHLY SUBSIDIES PAID BY THE PROVINCIAL AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS
- LANDLORDS RECEIVE MONTHLY SUBSIDY PAYMENTS BASED ON THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TENANTS CALCULATED RENT AND MARKET RENT FOR THE UNIT
- ANNUAL INCOME REVIEWS APPLY
- ASSET TESTING APPLIES
Eligibility:
· Unable to acquire or maintain adequate or suitable housing without paying more than 30% of total income for rent
· Falls within the established guidelines for asset limits
· Household income less than the established thresholds
DIRECT RENT SUPPLEMENT ASSISTANCE:
- PRIVATELY OWNED BUILDINGS
- SUBSIDY PAID DIRECTLY TO THE TENANT
- SUBSIDY CALCULATED BASED ON DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MARKET RENT AND 30% OF INCOME TO A MAXIMUM OF $600
- MONTHLY SUBSIDIES PAID BY THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT
- ANNUAL INCOME REVIEWS APPLY
- ASSEST TESTING APPLIES
Eligibility:
· Applicant pays more than 30% of gross income on rent
· Falls within the established guidelines for asset limits
· Household income less than the established thresholds
· Must have a rental agreement in place with a landlord
· Current accommodation is suitable and adequate based on social housing guidelines
FAMILY HOUSING APPLICATION INFORMATION:
Applications are to be completed and returned to the Grande Spirit Foundation Family Housing Office. All applications are rated based on their need for housing assistance, which considers the following:
- Annual income
- Size of unit required based on family composition
- Assets
- Condition of present accommodation
ASSESSMENTS:
Applicants will be assessed through a personal interview as follows:
- Landlord reference (current or previous) including landlord address and phone number
- Ability to live independently
Direct Rentals: When one of the units becomes available, the applicant assessed in highest need for the available accommodation will be contacted for a review of the following criteria:
· Ability to pay rent when due
· Ability to live in the unit with or without community supports (i.e., lawn maintenance)
Affordable Housing: (Margaret Edgson Manor and Hearthstone Manor):
Available units offered to applicants based on the following criteria:
· Ability to pay affordable market rent based on income verification (income tax assessment, current income information)
· Ability to live independently
Private Landlord Rent Supplement:
When a rental assistance designation becomes available, the applicant in highest need for the available accommodation will be referred to an eligible landlord. You will have to meet the selection criteria of the landlord.
Direct Rent Supplement Assistance
As funding becomes available, the applicant assessed in highest need will be contacted and must meet the eligibility criteria for family housing.
REFUSING A UNIT AND UPDATES
Refusal: If an applicant refuses the unit offered them, they will be placed on the inactive waiting list. This list would only be referred to if there were no applicants on the active waiting list.
Updates: If you wish to have your application updated, or wish to inquire about your application, you will have to come to the Grande Spirit Family Housing Office, or to the Beaverlodge, or Spirit River Office. If no contact is made after 6 months, the application will become inactive. If no contact is made after 12 months, the application will be removed from the waiting list.
SELECTION:
FAMILY HOUSING PROCESS INFORMATION
PRIVATE LANDLORD RENT SUPPLEMENT: