Providing housing
and support services.
The Medicine Hat Community Housing Society directly manages 582 rental units and approximately 386 private market rent supplements throughout Medicine Hat and Redcliff.
These units are available for households with low or modest incomes. The chart below identifies the maximum allowable income per household depending on the number of bedrooms required by the household, as determined by the Government of Alberta.
An application process determines eligibility for housing programs. The applicant is evaluated according to household income thresholds, household composition, asset limits, and citizenship requirements. Once it is determined that the applicant meets the eligibility requirements, they are placed on a waiting list for the most suitable housing program. Priority on the waitlist is determined by level of need.
Maximum Household Income Thresholds
Income Thresholds are a calculation used to determine the income that a household needs in order to secure adequate private sector accommodation. This chart identifies the maximum allowable income per household based on the number of bedrooms required by the household, as determined by Government of Alberta criteria.
Households whose income falls below local income thresholds are eligible to apply.
| Accommodation Type | Maximum Household Income |
|---|---|
| Bachelor | $39,000 |
| One Bedroom | $39,000 |
| Two Bedroom | $39,500 |
| Three Bedroom | $53,000 |
| Four + Bedroom | $57,500 |
The Medicine Hat Community Housing Society manages 193 Family and 30 Special Needs housing units throughout Medicine Hat.
The Medicine Hat Community Housing Society manages 229 Seniors Self-Contained units in seven buildings throughout Medicine Hat and Redcliff. This program offers apartments in both high-rise and low-rise accessible buildings.
The Medicine Hat Community Housing Society manages 130 Affordable Housing Units throughout Medicine Hat. Households with stable low to modest incomes are appropriate for our Affordable (or below market) Housing Program.
If you need help to pay your rent, the Rent Supplement program may provide some relief. Rent Supplement programs are geared towards individuals who live in private market rental accommodations and who prefer to remain in their current home but have financial difficulty maintaining their residence.
Subsidized Programs
Subsidized programs fall into two categories, Social Housing and Affordable Housing.
Social Housing Programs
| Family and Special Needs Housing | |
| 18 |
| 205 |
| Seniors Self-Contained Units | 229 |
| Rent Supplement | 386 |
| Total Social Housing Program | 838 |
Affordable Housing Programs
| Affordable Housing Units | |
| 85 |
| 32 |
| Private Affordable | 13 |
| Total Affordable Housing Program | 130 |
Annual Review Required
The Medicine Hat Community Housing Society is required to review the circumstances for all housing tenants on an annual basis to determine their continued eligibility for the program, as well as to calculate new rental fees based on any changes in the household’s income. Tenants are responsible for advising the Medicine Hat Community Housing Society of such changes to household income and family composition as they occur.
Rent Charges
Rents charged for subsidized housing programs are based on a provincially mandated formula for each program. Social Housing Program rents are based on a percentage of income, generally 30% of the household’s total combined income. Affordable Housing Program rents are set at a certain percentage below market and are calculated based on program regulations.