Resolution 2021-02
Equitable Access to Funding for Rural and Remote Housing and Homeless Resources
Submitted by County of Grande Prairie Family and Community Support Services Advisory Board
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the FCSSAA advocate to all levels of Government to commit funding and support that all Municipalities can access for the provision of safe and affordable housing options; and remove the systemic barriers which have favored designating resources to the seven cities and instead create funding opportunities to address homelessness and affordable housing supports for all Municipalities in Alberta.
Rationale
Appreciative of Government’s investments thus far in a range of program and services to address affordable housing and homelessness in the province, there remain barriers to municipalities to equitably access funding to address the range of needs across the province.
When it comes to homelessness and understanding its causes, the urban experience dominates the conversation due to the higher visibility of individuals experiencing homelessness, however homelessness still exists outside the cities. Homelessness in rural and remote areas is far less understood or even acknowledged by the wider public because housing-insecure individuals are less likely to be completely unsheltered, and the problem is hidden from view. 24 rural communities in Alberta participated in the 2020 Rural Housing and Service Needs Estimation Project in partnership with the Rural Development Network (RDN) and found that those at risk of becoming homeless are more likely to own or rent housing that may need major repairs, couch surf, live in overcrowded housing, or live in other provisional accommodations provided by their support systems. The RDN report highlights that of 1893 individuals surveyed 48% had housing conditions which were insecure and/or absent. This is a small sampling of the residents that could have been surveyed throughout the province.1
There are significant differences in demographics and community needs in the various regions of Alberta, and thus a diversity of approaches is required to address housing in our province, including various operating models, capital contributions and local engagement and supports.2 A continuum of housing options and supports within rural communities is as important as it is within the seven cities, or we run the risk of residents searching for supports and accommodations in the already overburdened urban systems and having a migration of residents leaving their local and natural familial supports.
In addition, the most recent changes to Alberta’s rent supplement program meant to improve system supports, does not promote equity outside of the seven cities. The Temporary Rent Assistance Benefit, which opened on May 1, 2021, provides a modest subsidy to help eligible tenants in Alberta’s seven major centers afford their rent, while they stabilize or improve their situation.3 Although this is a valuable initiative it limits the ability of residents in other urban centers or rural municipalities to receive this level of rental support. This compounds the risk of residents losing their housing and affecting the wellness of entire communities.
Having access to a range of housing options to address the continuum of accommodation needs requires a housing inventory reflective of local needs. Additional investments, or the flexibility of current funding streams to support capital projects is required as there are many regions where housing stock is not meeting the communities needs or is part of the aging inventory requiring major upgrades.
Funding streams such as the Reaching Home grant that focus on rural and remote homelessness is a good start to addresses the needs in our rural and remote communities however, we need to continue to advocate for equitable access, adequate amounts and flexibility in funding uses so that rural communities can generate local sustainable projects reflecting the needs of local residents.
1 2020 Rural Housing and Service Needs Estimation Project (ruraldevelopment.ca)
2 Final report of the Alberta Affordable Housing Review Panel – Open Government
Questions?
If you have any questions about this resolution, please contact:
Mellissa Kraft, FCSSAA Executive Director
director@fcssaa.org
#625, 7 Sir Winston Churchill Square, Edmonton, AB | T5J 2V5
FCSSAA
The Family and Community Support Services Association of Alberta (FCSSAA) was founded in 1981, as a member-driven organization dedicated to bringing Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) programs from across the province together. We provide the platform for our member programs to connect and collaborate, so they can maximize resources and speak with an informed, credible, unified voice to all stakeholders.
