August 9, 2022 / For Immediate Release
AIRDRIE, ALBERTA – The City received positive news last week as the Province of Alberta announced it was expanding the Temporary Rental Assistance Benefit (TRAB) and residents in Airdrie will now be eligible for the funding support.
“We are pleased that Airdrie has been included in the recent expansion of the TRAB and thankful to the Provincial Government for recognizing the need in our City,” said Mayor Peter Brown. “City Council and Administration have been advocating for this change since the Benefit was introduced in March 2021. Hopefully these positive results of our combined efforts will make a significant difference for our residents who need rental support.”
Airdrie City Council and Administration have pushed for the TRAB to be extended to municipalities outside of the seven major centres the Benefit was originally intended for. Advocacy efforts have included numerous meetings with the Ministry of Seniors and Housing and in July, a visit from Minister of Seniors and Housing, Josephine Pon to tour local affordable housing units and hotel conversion projects.
“The changes to the TRAB are an important first step. The critical need for affordable housing is real in Airdrie. Our Council and Administration will continue to advocate to address the significant gap and encourage more affordable units to be built,” said Mayor Brown. “Our work to secure more Provincial and Federal funding does not stop with this announcement. We’re committed to finding solutions that work for our City and support those residents in need.”
TRAB is a two-year benefit program for working households or for those in between jobs. It is designed for households who may have trouble receiving priority for regular Rental Assistance Benefit (RAB) or community housing but still need help making their housing affordable.
Airdrie residents can learn more about the TRAB and eligibility at https://www.alberta.ca/rent-assistance.aspx.
Locally, the TRAB is being administered by Calgary Housing Company (CHC) on behalf of the Government of Alberta. Airdrie residents are eligible and should apply directly through the CHC website at https://calgaryhousingcompany.org/temporary-rent-assistance-benefit/
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Media contact:
Megan Stewart
Communications Advisor
megan.stewart@airdrie.ca