Housing supports for survivors of gender-based violence

Overview

The Housing Benefit for Survivors of Gender-Based Violence provides a subsidy to support Albertans escaping abusive situations by helping to pay their housing expenses, such as rent, utilities and mortgage payments.

Under the Canada-Alberta Housing Benefit, the Governments of Canada and Alberta jointly provide funding for the program. This initiative is part of the National Housing Strategy. To learn more about how the province and the federal government support affordable housing in Alberta, see Canada-Alberta Affordable Housing Agreements.

Gender-based violence

The National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence defines gender-based violence as:

• ‘violence based on gender norm and unequal power dynamics, perpetrated against someone based on their gender, gender expression, gender identity or perceived gender’
• gender-based is defined as ‘women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ experiencing violence’

Benefits

• Provides housing cost assistance directly to applicants.
• Use and transfer anywhere within the province.
• Total benefit amounts to $7,200 provided over the course of one-year.
• Flexible monthly payments at $600 a month for one year, $1,200 a month for 6 months, or another amount and duration for special circumstances.
• Prioritized on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Eligible to apply for other rent assistance once the gender-based violence funding has ended.

Eligibility

Eligibility requirements do not include an income threshold and the benefit does not have an asset value limit.

The Housing Benefit for Survivors of Gender-Based Violence provides financial supports to those who may be underserved, including (but not limited to):

• women and children fleeing violence who stay in second-stage housing for extended periods of time
• Indigenous women, who are at higher risk of experiencing gender-based violence
• 2SLGBTQI+ youth who are not safe living with their family of origin
• youth exiting government care, who experience violence, including gender-based violence, at higher rates than other population groups

Other requirements

• Must not be receiving another social housing benefit such as the Rent Assistance Benefit (RAB) or Temporary Rent Assistance Benefit (TRAB).
• Must not be in a unit operated by a housing management body under the Social Housing Accommodation Regulation (SHAR).

How to apply

In the meantime, you may be eligible for other supports:

• Escaping Abuse Benefit
• Family violence – find supports
• Affordable housing and rent assistance

Related

• Canada Housing Benefit and the National Housing Strategy
• National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence
• Canada-Alberta Affordable Housing Agreements