Must be a resident of the City of Lethbridge or relocating to the City of Lethbridge.

Must have found housing prior to applying for the fund, and have a plan to maintain housing following the funded period.

Must meet one of the following criteria:

• Experiencing homelessness and leaving an emergency shelter or the street.

• Housed and moving to another housing situation because of domestic violence, fire/flood, accommodate a change in family size, or other extenuating circumstances.

• Housed and moving due to a high rent situation.

• Have delays in receiving confirmed income from provincial or federal sources resulting in a delay in the ability to pay rent.

• People receiving financial assistance through provincial or federal funding, are housed and have an interruption in funding or income.

Must be willing to report on changes and update on usage of funds and progress made monthly.

Must not have accessed the maximum amount of ESHF funding available in the current calendar year.

The funds may be issued to cover a maximum of three (3) months costs for:

• Rent – This includes private residences, supported living facilities, subsidized housing, treatment programs, short term accommodations (example hotel).

• Funds must be payable to the landlord/property owner, individual, or service agency.

The funds will not cover:

• Security deposits or damages

• Parking

• Moving costs

• Setting up a residence i.e., furnishings, food, etc.

• Utilities

• Insurance

• Rental arrears

• Remediation expenses

• Incidentals for short-term accommodations such as hotels, motels, etc.

Please fill out the following application package if you are a Tier 2 System Navigator with a service provider providing supports for an individual:

Agency Application Package Applying on Behalf of an Individual

If you are not connected to a service provider, individuals will need to make an appointment with Community LINKS to determine eligibility for stabilization funds. Email communitylinks@cmhalethbridge.ca for more information.

NOTE: All individuals will need to agree to connect for follow-up reports and services; as well as have a housing location found in order to apply for stabilization fund. Individuals need to have a plan for stabilization of housing and rent payments within the 3 month period prior to applying.

Individuals will be expected to provide the following required information in their application:

• Information on rental unit (address, landlord contact information, cost, move-in/move-out dates, etc.)

• Information on income sources

• Information on attempts to access other services

• Plan for sustaining housing after the stabilization period

In addition, the following documents may be requested on a case by case basis

• Lease/Property Management/Owners letter or promised address verifying monthly rent.

• Self-declaration that you are establishing a residence.

• Any other documents supporting the need to access sabilization funds (denial letter from income sources, notices of delay in payments, etc.)

• In Case of Fire/flood – supporting letter from property management, police/fire department report or insurance letter/report (where applicable).

• Landlord eviction notice.

Please fill out the following form monthly if you are providing supports to an individual with access to funds:

Stabilization Funds Monthly Report

Please fill out the following form if any information has changed since the initial application:

Stabilization Amendment Form