Post by Colleen on Mar 15, 2006 16:23:06 GMT -5
Last November 22 was National Housing Day. A few organizations created the "Baker's Dozen" to help Calgarians with emergency and affordable housing.
The 12 links are below:
1. What if I want to learn about home ownership?
a. Visit The HOME Program website (http://www.thehomeprogram.ca). There you can find out about home buying. They will give money to help with down payments on homes. You can call them for free from anywhere in Alberta at 1-877-504-6161.
b. Find plain language booklets at Calgary PDD’s website. Links to the books are at the bottom of the page.
2. What if I can’t pay my rent or damage deposit?
a. MCC Employment Development's Rent Bank program (http://www.mcca-ed.org/participant_channel/rentutilityhelp.html) can give low-interest loans to Calgarians who have no money for rent, damage deposits or utility bills. You will need a community organization to refer you to the program.
b. Calgary Urban Project Society (CUPS) (http://www.cupshealthcentre.com) will help pay part of your damage deposit. You must have a letter from a shelter and a sustainable income. Call (403) 221-8780.
c. Community Housing Support Program of Canadian Red Cross Community Housing Support Program of Canadian Red Cross (http://www.redcross.ca/article.asp?id=003073&tid=082) can help Calgarians get or keep safe housing. They can give you one-time money to pay (in part) your rent, damage deposits or utility bills. You apply by calling or visiting the Canadian Red Cross. They are at 1305 - 11 Avenue SW, Calgary, AB, T3C 3P6. Phone: (403) 541-6119.
3. Where can I find affordable housing?
a. Visit Calgary Housing Registry Network's website (www.lowcostrent.org). There you will find low-cost places for rent. They also have links to emergency and temporary housing.
b. Calgary’s Hillhurst Sunnyside Housing Co-op is a non-profit group. They have some homes that have rental subsidies. Phone: (403) 283-3034.
c. Calgary’s Southern Alberta Cooperative Housing Association (http://www.sacha.coop/home.html) also has some homes that have rental subsidies. They are at #110, 2526 Battleford Avenue SW, Calgary, AB, T3E 7J4. Phone: (403) 233-0969 e-mail: sacha89@telus.net
4. What if I can’t afford to fix my home?
a. The Homeowner Residentail Rehabilitation Assistance Program (http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/prfias/rerepr/readaspr_003.cfm) can give some money to low-income households that own and occupy substandard housing. RRAP can help repair homes to a minimum level of health and safety. RRAP also helps with renovations to rooming houses and rental units to increase the number of low-cost homes.
b. EnerGuide for Low-Income Households (http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/prfias/rerepr/rerepr_001.cfm) is a $500-million federal initiative over 5 years. It will help about 130,000 low-income Canadians make energy-efficiency retrofits. The goal is to make housing more affordable and reduce greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.
c. The City of Calgary has a program for seniors called Home Maintenance Services (http://www.calgary.ca/cweb/gateway/gateway.asp?GID=260&CID=201&URL=http%3A%2F%2Fcontent%2Ecalgary%2Eca%2FCCA%2FCity%2BHall%2FBusiness%2BUnits%2FCommunity%2Band%2BNeighbourhood%2BServices%2FCommunity%2BPrograms%2Band%2BServices%2FCity%2BLinks%2FHome%2BMaintenance%2BServices%2B%2Ehtm). Through this, seniors can get help with yard work, house cleaning, snow removal and home repairs. Call 974-3112 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. You do not need a referral.
5. What if I can’t afford to pay my utilities?
a. Call Alberta Works through the RITE number, 310.000. Tell them you cannot afford to pay your utilities. You must have a disconnection notice from your utility company.
6. What if I can’t afford my property taxes?
a. The City of Calgary has the “Residential Property Tax Social Support Program.” Phone: 234.7480
7. What if I need support services to stay in my own home?
a. If you have a developmental disability call 297.5011, Calgary Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) at Calgary Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) at www.pdd.org/calgary/default.shtml
b. If you have a physical disability or medical condition, call Home Care at 943.1600. Calgary Home Care's website is www.calgaryhealthregion.ca/commhomecare/index.htm
8. Learn about land trusts through the Calgary Community Land Trust Society. The website of Calgary Community Land Trust Society is at versalt.com/cclt/. They are looking to increase the number of low-cost housing units in Calgary. Visit them at McDougall Centre, 455 - 6th Street SW, Calgary, Alberta, T2P 4E8. Phone: (403) 262-2921, Fax: (403) 262-2924 or Email: matt@calgaryhomeless.com.
9. What are my rights when I rent? Visit "Laws for Tenants in Alberta" website at www.landlordandtenant.org. There you will find lots information to think about when you rent a place to live.
10. How do I make my home wheelchair accessible?
a. Accessible Housing Society’s website is at www.ahscalgary.ca/. They can help you adapt your home. Phone: (403) 282-1872. Address: 103, 2003 14th St. NW, Calgary, Alberta T2M 3N4
b. The Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program for Persons with Disabilities (RRAP-Disabilities) (http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/prfias/rerepr/readaspr_003.cfm) can give some money to low-income households to make the home wheelchair accessible. This is a program of the Government of Canada. You must apply to the program before you start renovating your home.
c. The Alberta government has the Residential Access Modification Program (RAMP). It used to be called a HAP grant. If you got a HAP grant, you might not be able to get any money from RAMP. Find out more about RAMP at www.seniors.gov.ab.ca/housing/family_special/supportive_housing/existing_programs/index.asp#RAMP. You can get up to $5,000 to modify homes for eligible wheelchair users. Phone the RITE number, 310-0000. Then dial 780-427-5760.
11. What is the world doing about housing?
a. Learn the World Urban Forum Conference (http://www.unhabitat.org/wuf/2006/default.asp). This conference is in 2006 and will look at the impact of urbanisation.
b. The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (http://www.unhabitat.org/about/mandate.asp) promotes socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities. Its goal is to provide adequate shelter for all.
12. Talk about housing issues in your region with your alderman, MLA and MP.
a. Contact your Calgary City Council member. You can do this online at www.calgary.ca/cweb/gateway/gateway.asp?GID=249&CID=200&URL=http%3A%2F%2Fcontent%2Ecalgary%2Eca%2FCCA%2FCity%2BHall%2FMunicipal%2BGovernment%2FOffice%2Bof%2Bthe%2BAldermen%2FAldContact%2Ehtm
b. Find out who your MLA is at www.assembly.ab.ca/lao/mla/mla_help.htm.
c. Find your MP by postal code at www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/people/house/PostalCode.asp?Language=E&source=sm
The 12 links are below:
1. What if I want to learn about home ownership?
a. Visit The HOME Program website (http://www.thehomeprogram.ca). There you can find out about home buying. They will give money to help with down payments on homes. You can call them for free from anywhere in Alberta at 1-877-504-6161.
b. Find plain language booklets at Calgary PDD’s website. Links to the books are at the bottom of the page.
2. What if I can’t pay my rent or damage deposit?
a. MCC Employment Development's Rent Bank program (http://www.mcca-ed.org/participant_channel/rentutilityhelp.html) can give low-interest loans to Calgarians who have no money for rent, damage deposits or utility bills. You will need a community organization to refer you to the program.
b. Calgary Urban Project Society (CUPS) (http://www.cupshealthcentre.com) will help pay part of your damage deposit. You must have a letter from a shelter and a sustainable income. Call (403) 221-8780.
c. Community Housing Support Program of Canadian Red Cross Community Housing Support Program of Canadian Red Cross (http://www.redcross.ca/article.asp?id=003073&tid=082) can help Calgarians get or keep safe housing. They can give you one-time money to pay (in part) your rent, damage deposits or utility bills. You apply by calling or visiting the Canadian Red Cross. They are at 1305 - 11 Avenue SW, Calgary, AB, T3C 3P6. Phone: (403) 541-6119.
3. Where can I find affordable housing?
a. Visit Calgary Housing Registry Network's website (www.lowcostrent.org). There you will find low-cost places for rent. They also have links to emergency and temporary housing.
b. Calgary’s Hillhurst Sunnyside Housing Co-op is a non-profit group. They have some homes that have rental subsidies. Phone: (403) 283-3034.
c. Calgary’s Southern Alberta Cooperative Housing Association (http://www.sacha.coop/home.html) also has some homes that have rental subsidies. They are at #110, 2526 Battleford Avenue SW, Calgary, AB, T3E 7J4. Phone: (403) 233-0969 e-mail: sacha89@telus.net
4. What if I can’t afford to fix my home?
a. The Homeowner Residentail Rehabilitation Assistance Program (http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/prfias/rerepr/readaspr_003.cfm) can give some money to low-income households that own and occupy substandard housing. RRAP can help repair homes to a minimum level of health and safety. RRAP also helps with renovations to rooming houses and rental units to increase the number of low-cost homes.
b. EnerGuide for Low-Income Households (http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/prfias/rerepr/rerepr_001.cfm) is a $500-million federal initiative over 5 years. It will help about 130,000 low-income Canadians make energy-efficiency retrofits. The goal is to make housing more affordable and reduce greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.
c. The City of Calgary has a program for seniors called Home Maintenance Services (http://www.calgary.ca/cweb/gateway/gateway.asp?GID=260&CID=201&URL=http%3A%2F%2Fcontent%2Ecalgary%2Eca%2FCCA%2FCity%2BHall%2FBusiness%2BUnits%2FCommunity%2Band%2BNeighbourhood%2BServices%2FCommunity%2BPrograms%2Band%2BServices%2FCity%2BLinks%2FHome%2BMaintenance%2BServices%2B%2Ehtm). Through this, seniors can get help with yard work, house cleaning, snow removal and home repairs. Call 974-3112 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. You do not need a referral.
5. What if I can’t afford to pay my utilities?
a. Call Alberta Works through the RITE number, 310.000. Tell them you cannot afford to pay your utilities. You must have a disconnection notice from your utility company.
6. What if I can’t afford my property taxes?
a. The City of Calgary has the “Residential Property Tax Social Support Program.” Phone: 234.7480
7. What if I need support services to stay in my own home?
a. If you have a developmental disability call 297.5011, Calgary Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) at Calgary Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) at www.pdd.org/calgary/default.shtml
b. If you have a physical disability or medical condition, call Home Care at 943.1600. Calgary Home Care's website is www.calgaryhealthregion.ca/commhomecare/index.htm
8. Learn about land trusts through the Calgary Community Land Trust Society. The website of Calgary Community Land Trust Society is at versalt.com/cclt/. They are looking to increase the number of low-cost housing units in Calgary. Visit them at McDougall Centre, 455 - 6th Street SW, Calgary, Alberta, T2P 4E8. Phone: (403) 262-2921, Fax: (403) 262-2924 or Email: matt@calgaryhomeless.com.
9. What are my rights when I rent? Visit "Laws for Tenants in Alberta" website at www.landlordandtenant.org. There you will find lots information to think about when you rent a place to live.
10. How do I make my home wheelchair accessible?
a. Accessible Housing Society’s website is at www.ahscalgary.ca/. They can help you adapt your home. Phone: (403) 282-1872. Address: 103, 2003 14th St. NW, Calgary, Alberta T2M 3N4
b. The Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program for Persons with Disabilities (RRAP-Disabilities) (http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/prfias/rerepr/readaspr_003.cfm) can give some money to low-income households to make the home wheelchair accessible. This is a program of the Government of Canada. You must apply to the program before you start renovating your home.
c. The Alberta government has the Residential Access Modification Program (RAMP). It used to be called a HAP grant. If you got a HAP grant, you might not be able to get any money from RAMP. Find out more about RAMP at www.seniors.gov.ab.ca/housing/family_special/supportive_housing/existing_programs/index.asp#RAMP. You can get up to $5,000 to modify homes for eligible wheelchair users. Phone the RITE number, 310-0000. Then dial 780-427-5760.
11. What is the world doing about housing?
a. Learn the World Urban Forum Conference (http://www.unhabitat.org/wuf/2006/default.asp). This conference is in 2006 and will look at the impact of urbanisation.
b. The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (http://www.unhabitat.org/about/mandate.asp) promotes socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities. Its goal is to provide adequate shelter for all.
12. Talk about housing issues in your region with your alderman, MLA and MP.
a. Contact your Calgary City Council member. You can do this online at www.calgary.ca/cweb/gateway/gateway.asp?GID=249&CID=200&URL=http%3A%2F%2Fcontent%2Ecalgary%2Eca%2FCCA%2FCity%2BHall%2FMunicipal%2BGovernment%2FOffice%2Bof%2Bthe%2BAldermen%2FAldContact%2Ehtm
b. Find out who your MLA is at www.assembly.ab.ca/lao/mla/mla_help.htm.
c. Find your MP by postal code at www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/people/house/PostalCode.asp?Language=E&source=sm