Frequently Asked Questions
Has the HEP Fund been cancelled?
Effective April 1, 2009, the rent shortfall component of the Homeless and Eviction Prevention Fund (HEP Fund) was transitioned to a housing program called the Direct to Tenant Rent Supplement Program under the department of Housing and Urban Affairs (HUA). This program is managed on behalf of HUA by local Housing Management Bodies located throughout the province. For information on the Direct to Rent Supplement Program, please visit Direct to Tenant Rent Supplement. Clients affected by this transition have been notified.
To locate the Housing Management Body closest to you please visit Find Housing.
If you are in danger of being evicted from your present residence, or you cannot pay a damage deposit, contact Employment and Immigration or Seniors and Community Supports to apply for emergency eviction and damage deposit benefits.
Employment and Immigration
AlbertaWorks
Edmonton: 780-644-5135
Toll-free in Alberta: 1-866-644-5135
Seniors and Community Supports
Assured Income for the Severely
Handicapped
Edmonton: 780-644-1364
Toll-free in Alberta: 1-866-477-8589
Why was the rent shortfall component of the HEP Fund transitioned to the Direct to Tenant Rent Supplement?
The HEP Fund was set up in 2007 to respond to an urgent need to take action to help low-income Albertans were struggling with a shortage of places to rent and big increases in rent. This situation has changed. There are now more places to rent and the rental increases are not as high.
In April 2009, the rent supplement benefit under the HEP Fund was moved to the Direct to Tenant Rent Supplement program administered by HUA and delivered through local housing management bodies. This was done to make sure the supplement was going to Albertans most in need of assistance and the program could be financially sustainable. Emergency eviction and emergency damage deposit benefits under the HEP Fund were not moved to HUA. These benefits are still available for Albertans receiving the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped benefit, through Seniors and Community Supports and through Alberta Works, Income Support with Employment and Immigration.
Is there a waiting period to receive assistance under the Direct to Tenant Rent Supplement program?
Yes, eligible Albertans who qualify for this benefit will be placed on a waiting list. This program is not provided on a first come or emergency basis.
Priority is given to Albertans who are assessed as high need. Priority and need are based on income, assets, household size and condition of a household’s current accommodation. Households determined as high need have first priority to be moved off the wait list, when an existing subsidized tenant leaves the program. There are subsidized tenants leaving the program every month.
Why is the Direct to Tenant Rent Supplement program being delivered by Housing Management Bodies?
Management bodies are established by Ministerial Order and deliver all the provincial housing programs of HUA. In addition to rent supplement, they also administer the community housing and seniors’ self-contained housing portfolio for low-income Albertans in need of an affordable housing option.
How many HEP Fund rent shortfall clients transitioned to the HUA Direct to Tenant Rent Supplement program?
Approximately 9,900 Albertans receiving rent shortfall benefits were transitioned from the HEP Fund to the Direct to Tenant Rent Supplement program. This includes people who received rent shortfall benefits through Employment and Immigration and Seniors and Community Supports.
