Housing is a core need for all of us, but many Edmontonians struggle to afford or retain a stable and safe place they can call home. Meeting the unique needs of neighbours who face a variety of challenges requires a diverse range of helps and solutions.
The graphic above illustrates the Housing Spectrum. Within the broad category of Affordable Housing there are four different types:
1. Supportive Housing is rental housing that provides staffed, on-site support services for tenants. These supports can include building security or mental health services. Examples of Supportive Housing include seniors’ lodges, assisted living and enhanced living facilities. This kind of housing has been identified as a critical priority both by Interfaith Housing and by the City of Edmonton. Current need as of 2018 is for over 900 additional units to be built across the city. Here are some Edmonton examples:
Ottewell Manor (Greater Edmonton Foundation)
Balwin Place (Homeward Trust and George Spady Society)
Hope Terrace (supportive living for people with FASD)
Iris Court (Schizophrenia Society of Alberta)
2. Supported Housing is rental housing that provides support services which are mobile and accessed from off-site, i.e. they are not based within the housing itself. These supports can include personal aids, housekeeping and social activities. Examples of Supported Housing include seniors’ self-contained apartments and Housing First units.
Example: Housing First! (overseen by Homeward Trust) http://wp.me/p20ewB-we
3. Social Housing is rental housing provided on a rent-geared-to-income basis where households pay no more than 30% of their gross income on rental costs. Support services are not provided on-site. Examples of Social Housing include community housing projects managed by Capital Region Housing Corporation and Metis Urban Housing Corporation.
Example: Metis Urban/Capital Housing. http://wp.me/p20ewB-xE
4. Independent-Living Affordable Housing is rental or ownership housing which has rents or payments below average market cost. Support services are not provided on-site. Examples of Independent-Living Affordable Housing include housing built under the City’s Cornerstones programs and Habitat for Humanity housing.
Example: First Place Housing Program. http://wp.me/p20ewB-B1
This summary presentation is from the City of Edmonton’s website: nonmarkethousing.ca
Interfaith Housing Initiative 