Stronger Foundations affordable housing strategy

Continue to maintain income thresholds for eligibility as informed by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Housing Income Limits.  

Income thresholds are limits that help decide who can get help from a certain program. If your income is below a specific point, you may qualify. If your income is above that point, you may not. Alberta government updates income thresholds annually.

Clarify and standardize the income verification process so eligibility, priority and rent setting are simple and fair.  

2024-25: Alberta government completed an evaluation of the amendments made to the Social Housing Accommodation Regulation in 2023, to ensure they were having a positive impact on Albertans and supporting those most in need. The evaluation found that the objectives of the Social Housing Accommodation Regulation amendments were met, especially improvements in areas such as access to affordable housing and the simplification of scoring methods. What stakeholders had to say was considered when developing additional recommendations to put in place.

2023-24: Alberta government completed amendments to the Social Housing Accommodation Regulation to move the standard measure of income for all households to Line 15000 of the Canada Revenue Agency's Notice of Assessment. This action standardized the income verification process and made eligibility, priority and rent setting simple and fair.

Alberta government also amended the Management Body Operation and Administration Regulation in April 2022 to simplify the administration of affordable housing, increase opportunities for new partnerships and improve governance and capacity across the housing sector.  

The Municipal Government Act, Alberta Social Housing Corporation Exemption Regulation was replaced with the Social and Affordable Housing Accommodation Exemption Regulation to allow municipal tax exemptions when housing providers and new partners take over ownership of Alberta Social Housing Corporation-owned affordable housing properties and continue to operate the asset as affordable housing. 

2021-22: Alberta government proclaimed the Alberta Housing Amendment Act into force. The Act increases opportunities for partnerships, ensures appropriate oversight for new ventures, and improves governance and capacity in the affordable housing sector. 

Enable housing providers to prioritize target populations into affordable housing based on the local need. 

2024-25: Alberta government started the Housing Supports for Survivors of Gender-Based Violence program in April 2024 to support survivors of gender-based violence through safe, stable housing. The program offers financial assistance to vulnerable Albertans escaping abusive situations. We accepted the second round of applications starting in Spring 2025 and the program is now fully subscribed. The next intake for applications will be announced when more funding is available. 

2022-23: Alberta government expanded the eligibility for social housing programs to include Ukrainian evacuees.

Alberta government amended the priority of need point scoring system in the Social Housing Accommodation Regulation to allow housing providers to give priority to target populations that are most in need.

Ensure a required number of target income groups (very low, low, and moderate) target populations based on community need are prioritized. 

2023-24: Alberta government developed program parameters for flexible, locally responsible, mixed income affordable housing. The mixed income model targets:

• Up to 30% of units for lowest income households deep subsidy, 60% of Median Market Rent.
• Up to 30% of units for moderate income households where rent is set at near market rents (81%-99% of Median Market Rent)
• Remainder of units for low-income households where rent is set between 61%-80% of Median Market Rents.

2021-22: Alberta Government launched the Alberta Temporary Rent Assistance Benefit (TRAB) to complement the Rent Assistance Benefit (RAB) and provide a short-term benefit for households who are or were recently employed, or those who are transitioning out of government support but still face housing affordability challenges. The Temporary Rent Assistance Benefit provides a temporary modest supplement for up to two years, for households with low income or in between jobs and in core housing needs, that are often not prioritized under the other provincial housing programs. In 2022, TRAB was expanded to be available in more communities in Alberta. 

Expand access for Indigenous communities through the Government of Alberta’s Indigenous Housing Capital Program. 

2021-22: Alberta government launched the Indigenous Housing Capital Program (IHCP) to provide capital funding to build more affordable off-reserve, off-settlement and on-settlement housing for Indigenous peoples. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

All the approved IHCP projects can be found here.

Work with partner ministries across government to expand supportive housing for populations transitioning out of homelessness and requiring mental health and addiction support. 

2024-25: Alberta government funded multiple permanent supportive housing projects in Edmonton and Lethbridge through the Affordable Housing Partnership Program. All the approved projects can be found here.

Increase senior housing in line with population growth.  

2024-25: Alberta government funded multiple seniors housing projects across Alberta through the Affordable Housing Partnership Program. All the approved projects can be found here.

Invest in a public online system, the Find Housing online tool, to enable Albertans to access a range of affordable options.

2023-24: Alberta government updated the Find Housing tool for better user experience and easier access to housing options. 

2022-23: Alberta government started ongoing improvements of the Find Housing online tool, including adding more affordable housing options from housing providers with non-regulated housing and additional communities supported by rent supplements; implementing refinements to the co-op housing options; expanding the assessment process to reflect support for Ukrainian evacuees; and providing options based on updated eligibility rules.

2021-22: Alberta government launched the Find Housing Online tool to make it easier for applicants to find housing options that meet their needs.  

Establish regional housing system navigator roles in collaboration with partner ministries and community partners.

Assisted Living and Social Services Divisions are working together to identify ways align supports for Albertans in need of support services and housing.  Implementation planned for 2026/27. 

Work with partners to support housing literacy programs and access to housing information.

Assisted Living and Social Services is working with partner associations and stakeholders to increase housing literacy. Implementation will be complete by 2029-30.

Collaborate with other government ministries to help Albertans get the housing supports they need as their situations change. This includes people receiving income support, youth exiting government care, women and children fleeing violence and seniors moving to higher levels of care.

Assisted Living and Social Services is working collaboratively on the implementation of the Housing Supports for Survivors of Gender-Based Violence. 

Eligible applicants for the Gender-Based Violence housing benefit will primarily be identified through the online portal shared with organizations that support target populations for this benefit (i.e., domestic violence prevention and response agencies, shelters, youth emergency shelters, etc.). Referrals may also be made through Government of Alberta programs, including Income Support, Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped, and programs that support youth in care/exiting care administered by Children and Family Services.

Work with housing operators to enhance support services or co-located services onsite, such as tenant support workers and services informed by awareness and sensitivity of Indigenous and other cultures.

Assisted Living and Social Services Divisions are working together to identify existing programs and ways to share resources for the benefit of Albertans in need of support services and housing. Implementation planned for 2026/27.

• Increase planning and governance
• Enable more collaboration and local decision-making with partners and provide more flexibility and capacity to meet local housing needs.

Objectives

• Enable more operational decision-making at the local level
• Increase operator flexibility by focusing on outcomes
• Increase sector capacity to deliver programs and meet outcomes
• Shift the GOA’s role away from prescriptive regulatory structures to providing oversight and funding
• Reduce red tape for housing providers

Co-ordinate planning with municipalities, regions, First Nation governments, Metis organizations and local housing providers.

2025-26: Alberta government is working with the Blackfoot Confederacy, Stoney Nakoda Tsuut'ina Tribal Council and the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations to develop plans for housing focused sub-tables under each organization’s respective First Nations’ Protocol/Relationship Agreements with Alberta. 

2024-25: Alberta government launched collaborative forum with the cities of Calgary and Edmonton and the federal government to collaborate on and inform affordable housing matters of common interest.  

Encourage regional/municipal needs assessments to inform GOA and community planning.

2024-25: Alberta government began the Affordable Housing Needs Assessment (AHNA) evaluation in late summer 2024 to identify recommendations for improvements.

2022-23: Alberta government launched the Affordable Housing Needs Assessment (AHNA) as a tool to seek standardized information from municipalities and housing providers about local affordable housing needs. 

Establish three-year targets for programs and new housing development that are based on current and projected community need.

Assisted Living and Social Services is using data from completed Housing Needs Assessments, as well as population and infrastructure information, to identify priority locations for new developments.  A 10-year plan for seniors housing is under development for implementation in 2027-28. 

Continue to work with housing management bodies and operators to improve efficiency, increase capacity and expand local decision-making.

2024-25: Alberta’s government engaged with housing management bodies and their operators, representatives from the municipal sector, health and seniors’ services providers, developers and operators of public and private seniors communities, Indigenous representatives and, most importantly, current and potential future residents of seniors lodges, including older and new lodges in both urban and rural communities, to implement the recommendations of the Senior Lodge Review Panel.

Develop an operator performance-assessment framework and support capacity building.

Assisted Living and Social Services Divisions has completed 43 operational reviews since 2022 on housing providers supported by the Alberta Social Housing Corporation. These reviews are a key mechanism for assessing provider performance and identifying opportunities for improvement and capacity building.   

Ensure all operators follow best practices and that housing management bodies board appointments are competency based.

2022-23: Alberta government introduced the Housing Management Bodies Skills Requirement which directed housing management bodies to adopt competency-based requirements for board member recruitment and establish a process for appointing new board members based on skills and experiences. The government also directed housing management bodies to assess the range of skills and experiences available on their current boards.

Increase the number of operating agreements with HMBs, non-profit and private sector housing providers.

Alberta government is allowing for more flexibility and innovative partnerships in the housing system to better support housing providers focus on outcomes and help meet local needs. Since 2021, new operating agreements are being signed to move the housing system from a highly prescriptive and regulatory system and provide housing operators with more autonomy to make decisions. 

2024-25 – New operating agreements for 5 ASHC-owned housing projects for a total of 40 units. These units continue to operate under the AHA.

2023-24 – None.

2022-23 – New operating agreements for 14 ASHC-owned housing projects for a total of 762 units. These units continue to operate under the AHA.

2021-22 – New operating agreements for two ASHC-owned housing projects for a total of 228 units.  These units do not need to operate under the AHA.

Allow new and innovative operating and funding models.

2024-25:  Alberta government remains on track to meet established targets and outcomes, and to claim full federal funding for affordable housing by the end of the agreement.

2023-24: Alberta government claimed full federal funding for affordable housing, totaling $46.2 million. Funding received through the National Housing Strategy was used to operate affordable housing and construct, maintain and renew units.

2022-23: Alberta government claimed full federal funding for affordable housing, totaling $49.6 million. Through the Canada Community Housing Initiative, funding was provided to continue to operate affordable housing and construct new units.

Gradually transition existing units to new operating models, while being sure to minimize disruptions to tenants and prevent loss of deep subsidy units and ensure those most in need have access to appropriate housing.

Alberta government is allowing for more flexibility and innovative partnerships in the housing system to better support housing providers to focus on outcomes and help meet local needs. Since 2021, new operating agreements are being signed to move the housing system from a highly prescriptive and regulatory system and provide housing operators with more autonomy to make decisions. 

2024-25 – New operating agreements for five ASHC-owned housing projects for a total of 40 units. These units continue to operate under the AHA. 

2023-24 - None. 

2022-23 – New operating agreements for 14 ASHC-owned housing projects for a total of 762 units. These units continue to operate under the AHA. 

2021-22 – New operating agreements for two ASHC-owned housing projects for a total of 228 units. These units do not need to operate under the AHA. 

Use real estate asset transfer and redevelopment opportunities to move from the prescriptive regulatory format to focus on outcomes and move to operating agreements that allow for innovative housing models such as mixed-income developments.

2023-24: Through the Asset Management Framework, Alberta government is making sure government-owned real estate assets are used in a way that best meets the current and future affordable housing needs of Albertans. Alberta government identified suitable properties for asset transfer and engaged with Housing Management Bodies and municipalities to facilitate the process.

2022-23: The Social and Affordable Housing Accommodation Exemption Regulation (in force October 2022) enables assets transfers and maintains property tax exemptions for assets owned by Alberta Social Housing Corporation. 

For regulated, mixed-income developments that provide community housing, set rents based on operating costs and below-market target ranges.

2022-23: As part of the Affordable Housing Partnership Program, Alberta government developed program guidelines for flexible, locally responsible, mixed income affordable housing to develop new units and shift legacy housing to mixed income over time.

The mixed income model targets:

• Up to 30% of units for lowest income households (deep subsidy, 60% of Median Market Rent).
• Up to 30% of units for moderate income households where rent is set at near market rents (81%-99% of Median Market Rent)
• Remainder of units for low-income households where rent is set between 61%-80% of Median Market Rent.

Within mixed income housing program parameters, it was recommended that rent in deep subsidy units be set at 60 per cent of Median Market Rent, with an affordability offset targeted to very low-income tenants to draw their effective rent down to 30 per cent of income and ensuring lowest income households continue to have access to affordable housing.

Create a partnership framework and program tailored to affordable housing. 

2022-23: Alberta government launched the Affordable Housing Partnership Program to address the increasing demand for affordable housing in Alberta. The program encourages development of mixed-income and mixed-use housing models. Through the program to date, we have invested more than $386 million to support more than 4,000 affordable housing units and shelter spaces in 20 communities. 

Develop and implement an affordable housing asset management framework that will optimize the ASHC real estate asset portfolio by identifying properties for sale, transfer, retention or redevelopment. 

2022-23: Alberta government launched the Affordable Housing Asset Management Framework. The framework outlines the process and decision-making criteria for a 10-year review of all government-owned affordable housing real estate assets. 

Develop a five-year maintenance and redevelopment plan for all government-owned assets and improve capital maintenance and renewal processes.

2024-2025: The Alberta government hired a consultant to support the development of a long-term plan for capital maintenance and renewal and began engagement with stakeholders. 

Introduce new programs and incentives to grow the supply of affordable housing.

2022-23: The Municipal Government Act, Alberta Social Housing Corporation Exemption Regulation was replaced with the Social and Affordable Housing Accommodation Exemption Regulation to enable municipal tax exemptions when housing providers and new partners take over ownership of Alberta Social Housing Corporation-owned affordable housing properties and continue to operate them as affordable housing.

Provide redevelopment grants to revitalize, densify or repurpose existing housing with below market rents.

See Actions 5.1-5.3. 
 

Work with partners to enable seniors’ lodges to serve as community hubs in rural areas and expand the Lodge Partnership Program to increase designated supportive living spaces in seniors’ lodges where stand-alone continuing care facilities are not feasible.

2025-26: The Final Report of the Senior Lodge Program Review Panel was published in summer 2025.

2023-24: Alberta government launched the Seniors Lodge Program Review Panel in January 2024 to improve the lodge system’s efficiency and sustainability into the future. The review provided an opportunity to smooth transitions between lodges and continuing care facilities to ensure the needs of seniors are met if they need access to more care. 

Reinvest proceeds from ASHC real estate asset sales into the affordable housing system.

2022-23: In alignment with Action 5.3, the proceeds from any sale under the Affordable Housing Asset Management Framework are reinvested into affordable housing. 
 

Expand the use of rent supplements to better use existing rental market capacity.

2024-25: In addition to the Rental Assistance Benefit (RAB) program the Alberta government also launched the Housing Benefit for Survivors of Gender-Based Violence in April 2024 to support survivors of gender-based violence through safe, stable housing. The program offers financial assistance to vulnerable Albertans escaping abusive situations.

2023-24: Alberta government expanded the Rent Assistance Benefit program and the Temporary Rent Assistance Benefit program. 

2022-23: Alberta government expanded eligibility for the Rent Supplement Program to Ukrainian evacuees to ensure families fleeing to Alberta have housing supports in place. In August 2022, the Temporary Rent Assistance Benefit (TRAB) program was expanded to more communities in Alberta. TRAB provides a temporary modest supplement for up to two years, for households with low income or in between jobs and in core housing needs, that are often not prioritized under the other provincial housing programs.    

2021-22: Alberta government redesigned the rent supplement program to support more households and provide a temporary benefit to working households.