Affordable Housing Information
What is Affordable Housing?
Housing is defined as being affordable if a household spends no more than 30% of its gross income on rental payments or 32% on home ownership costs. These costs include mortgage, heat, property taxes, and if applicable, 50% condo fees.
St. Albert Housing Programs
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St. Albert Basement Suite Grant Program |
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St. Albert Rental Assistance Program |
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Home Ownership Education (HOME) Program |
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Capital Region Housing Corporation Programs and Services |
Housing Resource Links
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Essential Information on Renting or Buying a Home in Alberta |
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Rental Accommodation in St. Albert |
Other Housing Assistance Programs
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Residential Renovation Assistance Programs (RRAP) If you are a homeowner, you may qualify for financial assistance to repair your home through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) if your property is eligible and your total household income is at or below the Income Threshold set by CMHC. | ||
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ecoENERGY Retrofit - Homes Program Detached homes, row housing, duplexes, triplexes and mobile homes on permanent foundations and some small apartment buildings of three storeys or less may qualify for ecoENERGY Retrofit for Homes grants. |
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Energy Efficient Rebates Rebates are available to existing homeowners who improve their energy efficiency and to new home buyers who purchase energy efficient homes. |
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The Homebuyer's Plan The Homebuyer's Plan allows you to withdraw up to $25,000 from your registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) to buy or build a qualifying home for yourself or a related person with a disability. |
Studies and Reports
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Affordable Housing Strategy (pdf) |
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Community Land Trust (pdf) |
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Community Housing Plan (pdf) |
| Community Housing Plan background documents |
Affordable Housing Organizations
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Habitat for Humanity |
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St. Albert Housing Society |
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Sturgeon Foundation |
Housing Need
There are three criteria for assessing housing need within a community (CMHC):- Adequacy: Physical safety of a dwelling relative to the level of maintenance and repair.
- Suitability: A family's ability to afford the type of housing necessary to meet their needs, such as enough bedrooms relative to the size of the family living in the home.
- Affordability: The ability of a household to pay for an adequate, suitable dwelling appending no more than 30% of its gross income.
| Affordable Housing Continuum | |||
| Market Affordable Housing | Market Rental Housing |
Non-Market Affordable Housing |
Non-Market Community Housing |
| The lowest 25% of homes sold in any given year for households entering the housing market or downsizing. |
Rental rates are established based on market demand and supply. In St. Albert, 12% of the dwelling units are rented, based on the 2005 census. |
Housing provided on a rent-geared-to-income basis, may include government subsidies covering a portion of the rent if the household spends more than 30% of their income on housing and their income is below the CNIT level for the household type. No requirement for in situ support services. May also include ownership models that provide controls on the resale price and/or ownership of units based on the household's income. |
Stable and supportive housing providing a safety net for those in need of support services in addition to housing. Housing provided on a rent-geared-to-income basis through direct capital or operating subsidies from any order of government. Can include both short-term and long-term housing. |
Core Need Income Thresholds (CNIT's) are established on an annual basis by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and Alberta Housing and Urban Affairs. Households with annual incomes equal to or less than CNIT are said to have insufficient income to afford the on-going costs of suitable and adequate rental units in their area. Incomes below this level may be eligible for rental subsidies. For more information, visit Alberta Housing & Urban Affairs's Core Need Income Thresholds (CNIT) information.
2011 Core Need Income Threshold Rent Levels
| 2011 Core Need Income Thresholds (CNITs) for St. Albert | |||
| Bachelor | 1 - bedroom | 2 - Bedroom | 3 - Bedroom |
| $29,000 |
$34,000 | $41,500 | $55,000 |
| $725/month rent | $850/month rent | $1,038/month rent | $1,375/month rent |
For more information:
Affordable Housing Liaison
Planning & Development
Second Floor, 5 St. Anne Street
St. Albert, AB T8N 3Z9
Phone: 780-459-1642
Fax: 780-458-1974
Second Floor, 5 St. Anne Street
St. Albert, AB T8N 3Z9
Phone: 780-459-1642
Fax: 780-458-1974
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