Alberta Rental Subsidy

[underGRADFlame]

Has anyone looked in to the Alberta/Calgary rental subsidy. I'm looking for a place starting Sept 1, I phoned the number and was told that you have to sign the lease first, then provide a copy of your lease and your 2 most recent pay stubs, and they will subsidize your rent (you pay 30% of your monthly income, they match the rest). I'm wondering if anyone else has done this?

[underGRADFlame]

Nobody?

[lifer]

I've never heard of it. Are you still a student? Those things generally don't apply to students, but it this subsidy does I have a few student buddies who could benefit from it. Like I said though, I've never heard of a provincial rental subsidy.

[SeeGeeWhy]

Perhaps your conundrum is stemmed from the postulation that generally speaking, people who have internet access are not in need of rent assistance.

[redforever]

Originally Posted by underGRADFlame

Has anyone looked in to the Alberta/Calgary rental subsidy. I'm looking for a place starting Sept 1, I phoned the number and was told that you have to sign the lease first, then provide a copy of your lease and your 2 most recent pay stubs, and they will subsidize your rent (you pay 30% of your monthly income, they match the rest). I'm wondering if anyone else has done this?

Have not done it, but know of the program. There was a talk show segment on the radio about it last week. Apparently it is over subscribed right now, but they are adding in more money. Problems with the program exist though and they will have to put in some checks as apparently, once you are approved, they give you the money and dont check that it has actually been used for rent. So I guess some landlords have not got the rent due them.

I dont know how to access it, sounds like you have the number, do as they suggested.

[Canada 02]

http://municipalaffairs.gov.ab.ca/housing_1528.htm

[underGRADFlame]

Originally Posted by SeeGeeWhy

Perhaps your conundrum is stemmed from the postulation that generally speaking, people who have internet access are not in need of rent assistance.

Hey one bedroom apartments that start between 850 and 1100 are expensive even for someone that makes 16-18/hr. Why not use a service if it is there?

[LockedOut]

Wasn't it reported on the news last week that people were cheating the system and getting cash from the subsidy when they didn't need it?

[ken0042]

You can see the video of it here by clicking on "Rent Fraud"
http://www.canada.com/globaltv/calgary/video/index.html

[BlackArcher101]

Saw a story on this on City TV in Edmonton a few weeks back. It was an update to a previous story they did mentioning the program. They said once their initial program aired, the usage of the program spiked and were overwhelmed. Apparently the program up until then was being used by the very needy before, but now is being used and abused by more, leaving it's budget nearly dwindled. I think the government has thrown more money at it already.

This tells us either a) How bad rents are in comparison to income; or b) Some people will do anything for a buck; or c) Both

For me, using this program would probably save me $30 a mth. Unless of course my rent increases again.

Looking at Canada 02's link though... I'm wondering if the program they aired on tv is different than the one in this topic.

[underGRADFlame]

For me the subsidy would save me between 75 and 250 a month depending on the place i get. I know the one on TV they're talking about is a homeless prevention program, the one I called about is different I believe, but who knows.

[tvp2003]

Is it me or is this program becoming a complete joke? First the news about the fraudulent claims being made; now the Herald is reporting today that it is already 3x over budget: http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/...d07073&k=38780

While I'm sure it has helped some people ease the transition, is it really a long term solution? I'd be interested to know how many seniors and disabled persons are using the program...

[ken0042]

What I don't get is that Global (and likely the Herald as they share resources) had this big several part thing on how people were ripping off the system; and then went on to show just how a person could go about ripping it off.

I'm not opposed to social safety nets; I have had to use them before. But there has to be some sort of checks and balances in place.

[Slava]

Honestly, this smacks of a pure vote-buying scheme gone awry...

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Slava

Honestly, this smacks of a pure vote-buying scheme gone awry...

Vote buying? I guess.

What's it called when a Liberal government does something similar? Social program or something?

Sheesh.

[Slava]

No, I think that when the Liberals do something like this its labelled vote-buying more or less immediately...

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Slava

No, I think that when the Liberals do something like this its labelled vote-buying more or less immediately...

OK>.so its labelled that way, but do you believe that is actually what it is? Or is it a government program to help the less fortunate...a safety net as said earlier?

As for the program itself, I dont think I ever remember anything like it in my 30+ years in Alberta.

[Slava]

Well I think that the issue needs to be dealt with and has for some time now. This plan that was thrown into place earlier this year is a quick fix though, and coincides with a slip in the popularity of the government.

Sure, it could be a pure coincidence, but it makes me wonder, that's all.

[Barnes]

The program will be out of money in a month or so. That is unless the government throws more money at it.

It's also killing various social programs that actually teach people to manage money, improve their skills and find better jobs. You know life skills. Programs that don't just throw money around like a drunkin f***ing sailor.