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Social Housing Department

Family & Special Purpose Housing

The Medicine Hat Community Housing Society manages 223 Family and Special Purpose housing units throughout Medicine Hat.

Family and Special Purpose housing units are available for households with low or modest incomes. The maximum income per household is dependent upon the number of bedrooms required by the household. The number of bedrooms required is determined by specific criteria developed by the Government of Alberta.

Accommodation Type	Maximum Household Income $
Bachelor	19,000
One Bedroom	24,000
Two Bedrooms	29,000
Three Bedrooms	40,000
Four Bedrooms	43,000
Five Bedrooms	46,000

Rent is based on 30% of total combined household income.
Heat, water, waste removal and sewer costs are included in the rent. Tenants pay their own electricity expenses.
Each year, social housing residents are income-tested to determine continued eligibility and the rent amount for the coming year.
Tenants are responsible for advising the MHCHS of income changes and changes in household composition, throughout the year.
Fridge and stove are included in each unit.

General applicants are required to complete a standard application form. You may also pick up an application form from the Medicine Hat Community Housing Society Social Housing office at #104, 516 3rd Street SE, Medicine Hat, AB, T1A 0H3. You may also request an application be sent to you by calling 527-4507.

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Seniors Self-Contained Housing

The Medicine Hat Community Housing Society manages 229 seniors self-contained housing units within seven buildings in Medicine Hat and Redcliff. These units are in high-rise and low-rise accessible buildings.

Two buildings, Luther Manor and Parkside Manor, also house persons under the age of 65 years with special circumstances.

Accommodation Type	Maximum Household Income $
1 bedroom	24,000
2 bedroom	29,000

Rent is based on 30% of total combined household income.
Heat, water, waste removal and sewer costs are included in the rent. Tenants pay their own electricity expenses.
Household incomes and circumstances are reviewed annually by the MHCHS to determine continued eligibility and the rent amount for the coming year.
Tenants are responsible for advising the MHCHS of income changes and changes in household composition, throughout the year.
Fridge and stove are included in each unit.

Senior Applicants (55 and older) are required to complete a Seniors Self Contained application form. You may also pick up an application from the Medicine Hat Community Housing Society office at 104, 516 3^rd St. SE Medicine Hat, AB T1A 0H3. You may also request an application be sent to you by calling 527-4507.

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Transitional Housing

Transitional Housing is defined as a combination of housing and support services intended to stabilize the lives of residents, and to foster self-reliance and self-sufficiency.

The Medicine Hat Community Housing Society purchased the former Trans Canada Motel at 780 8th Street SW in Medicine Hat. This motel has been converted to a transitional housing apartment complex with a total of 19 units. Three units are sleeping quarters with a shared kitchen while the remainder of the units vary in size but contain one bedroom and a kitchen.

The rent in all units includes utilities, furnishings, cable tv, telephone, air conditioning, and access to a free on-site laundry facility.

What sets this complex apart from the other social housing units is the level of support provided by the MHCHS Outreach Program. An Outreach worker is on-site five days a week to assist residents achieve the goals they have set for themselves in an “Action Plan”. The Action Plan is developed by the resident, with assistance from the Outreach worker, and is designed to prepare the resident for “transition” out of Transitional Housing to more independent living.

Transitional Housing is not income tested but is available for residents who need a “hand-up” in gaining their independence. Some people need the less expensive rent and support for a short period of time, while others stay for up to two years. In short, residents are expected, as part of their tenancy, to actively participate in gaining the skills, knowledge, experience and confidence to transition to independent living.

Transitional Housing applicants are required to complete a Transitional Housing Application Form or pick up an application form from the Medicine Hat Community Housing Society Social Housing office at #104, 516 3rd Street SE, Medicine Hat, AB, T1A 0H3. You may also request an application be sent to you by calling 527-4507. All applications are reviewed by an Outreach Worker who will then complete a face-to-face interview with potential residents. The application and interview results are then presented to an Intake Committee to review the suitability of the applicant for Transitional Housing. The Intake Committee also assesses the applicant’s potential for transition within the two year period.

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Private Rent Supplement Program

Rent Geared to Income (RGI) and FIXED

Private rent subsidies are available for participating landlords in the private rental market in order to benefit qualified applicants who meet eligibility requirements and are in need of ongoing financial assistance to pay their rent. This program is geared towards those individuals who may be better suited for the private market or simply prefer to remain in their current residence but require financial assistance in order to maintain their housing. Tenants who require a rent subsidy will pay their landlord a more affordable rent based on 30% of their household income or a reduced amount. The housing society issues a monthly subsidy to the landlord for the balance of the private market rent. Qualified recipients are obligated to sign a lease agreement with a private landlord and abide by the rules and regulations established by their landlord. They are not tenants with the housing society however, are re-evaluated on an annual basis to determine continued eligibility. All private market rental units are subject to an inspection to ensure they meet minimum health and safety standards.

Direct Rent Supplement (DRS)

Unlike the RGI and Fixed programs, the DRS subsidy is provided directly to the recipient. The landlord is not involved in this type of subsidy program. Applicants who qualify for this program will receive a monthly rental subsidy to assist them with paying their rent. Generally, recipients must pay 30% of their income towards their monthly rent and the program will pay the balance of the rent owing provided that it does not exceed the allowable maximum according to their needs. Some rental units are subject to inspection to ensure that minimum health and safety standards are being met.

Tenants are eligible for the Private Supplement programs as long as their annual household incomes do not exceed the maximum incomes established for Medicine Hat for the size of unit they qualify under.

Accommodation Type	Maximum Household Income $
Bachelor	19,000
1 bedroom	24,000
2 bedroom	29,000
3 bedroom	40,000
4 bedroom	43,000
5 bedroom	46,000

Household income is reviewed annually by the MHCHS. Tenants are responsible for advising the MHCHS of income changes and changes in household composition, throughout the year.

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Below Market Housing

Under an Affordable Housing Partnerships Initiative (AHPI) grant from the Alberta and Canada Governments, the Medicine Hat Community Housing Society has constructed 28 units of “below market housing”. Below market housing refers to rental housing that is provided at a rate substantially below the market average for a similar sized unit. The rental rate is not calculated as a percentage of household income, as with social housing.

Each year, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation provide a rental market report for communities in Canada. This report includes the average rental rate for bachelor, one, two and three bedroom apartments and townhouses.

The AHPI program requires rents at or below 90% of the average market rate for a unit of similar size. The Medicine Hat Community Housing Society, thanks to the donation of land from the City of Medicine Hat, a start-up grant from the Community Foundation of Medicine Hat and Southeastern Alberta, and a capital grant from the Federal and Provincial governments, is providing units at or below 80% of market rate. These units are available to qualifying households on the social housing waiting list.

2009-2010 Below Market Rental Rates

One bedroom $430
Two bedroom $540
Three bedroom $605

All approved applicants are served according to the highest in need so it is important to contact the administration office with any changes in circumstance. If you have already applied for a housing program and your circumstances have changed please complete an Application Update form and submit your changes to the administration office as soon as possible.

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