By Liam Verster

Housing those in need

Rental properties needed for Housing First program in Grande Prairie

Jun 2, 2020 | 12:54 PM

The City of Grande Prairie’s Community Advisory Board on Housing and Homelessness (CABH) is calling on property owners and managers to offer up affordable housing for the Housing First program.

The program is designed to help those struggling with homelessness and housing instability get back on their feet. CABH says this program is especially needed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Erna Moon, Chair of the CABH, says the program involves having teams work with those individuals and families, and helping them find a suitable place to live.

“In order to help them [find housing], they work with the families with whatever issues might have been keeping them out of housing, whether it be financial or others, and then they try and find homes that are financially feasible for them to move in to, and match the families or single people up to those homes.”

Once housing is found, the teams continue to work with the individuals or families for the next few months, to make sure the rent is paid and the housing is maintained. They’ll also act as a liaison to the landlord and the people they house.

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CABH is looking for affordable bachelor or one-bedroom units for the Housing First program, specifically with a rent of $900 or less per month. However, some larger units will also be needed, especially for housing families.

Moon says those who get involved in the program will be doing a great deed for the community at large, and CABH will also take on a bit of responsibility for the units.

“What happens is, if there’s issues with rent not being paid, or someone not abiding by the terms of their lease, then they have a go to person (in the team that set up the tenancy) that can help advocate on behalf of the landlord and/or the person renting the house.”

Along with having support staff checking in regularly with participants and landlords, the program can offer slight rental subsidies to make sure rent is paid in full each month.

Rental property owners and managers interested in becoming involved with the Housing First program can contact the Housing Placement Committee through the Community Advisory Board of Housing and Homelessness to ensure the match-up of tenant to unit will be successful. Registration to the program can be done through the City’s Landlord-Tenant Advisor, Valerie Thiessen at vthiessen@cityofgp.com or 780-830-8948.