Funding extension for SHIA

Aprogram that helps the city’s most vulnerable find housing has been granted a funding extension by Lethbridge City Council. The Social Housing in Action team requested an extension of $60,000 to sustain a rent supplement program for Housing First clients. At least 172 Housing First clients have been able to find homes due to this fund, which provides one-time security deposit and/or first month’s rent.

The Rent Supplement program is a last resort for homeless who need to find housing as quickly as possible. To apply for the program funding, eligible clients, working with their case worker, must have exhausted all other options.

Due to the success of the program, SHIA said it was critical that access to the program be extended.

“The city has been so supportive in all of the work we’ve done through SHIA,” said Diane Randell, manager of Community and Social Development. “It’s building on what has already been noted a success in terms of people being able to access their housing.”

When homeless individuals are moved into housing of their own, Randell says they gain confidence, feel safer, become more employable and participate in community life.

“We know through the work we’ve done that their whole self improves in terms of their nutrition, overall health, and their self-confidence,” she said. “It just has such a major impact on an individual’s life.”

The funding extension will come from unallocated funds within the remaining Municipal Block Funding from the provincial government.