About the Benefit

Funded through the Government of Alberta and the Government of Canada, the Housing Benefit for Survivors of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) supports Albertans leaving abusive situations by helping cover housing costs such as rent, utilities, and mortgage payments.

Supported Costs

Supported costs include, but are not limited to:

  • rent
  • mortgage
  • relocating, and 
  • housing start-up costs such as damage deposit.

Locations Served

The Benefit is available across the Province of Alberta.

  • Civida serves all areas in Red Deer and North of Red Deer, including Edmonton, Grande Prairie, and Fort McMurray.
  • Lethbridge Housing Authority serves all communities South of Red Deer.

What is Gender Based Violence?

According to the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence, Gender-based violence (GBV) refers to violence based on gender norms and unequal power dynamics, perpetrated against someone based on their gender, gender expression, gender identity or perceived gender. Gender-based is defined as women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ experiencing violence.

Eligibility

Applications are processed in the order they are received. There are no income or asset limitations to receive this benefit.

The Housing Benefit for Survivors of Gender-Based Violence provides financial support to those who may be underserved, including (but not limited to):

  • women and children fleeing violence who may be in a shelter
  • Indigenous women, who are at higher risk of experiencing gender-based violence
  • 2SLGBTQI+ youth who are not safe living with their family of origin
  • youth exiting government care, who experience violence, including gender-based violence, at higher rates than other population groups

Applicants must be an Alberta Resident.

Other requirements

  • Must not be receiving another social/community housing benefit such as the Rent Assistance Benefit (RAB) or Temporary Rent Assistance Benefit (TRAB).
  • Must not be living in social/community housing, as outlined under the Social Housing Accommodation Regulation (SHAR).
  • Must not be a previous GBV Benefit recipient.

How the Benefit Works

  • Available across the Province of Alberta.
  • Provides housing cost assistance directly to applicants.
  • Total benefit amounts to $7,200 provided over the course of one-year.
  • Flexible monthly payments at $600 a month for one year, $1,200 a month for 6 months, or another amount and duration for special circumstances.
  • Prioritized on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Eligible to apply for other rent assistance or affordable housing programs once the gender-based violence funding has ended.

How to Apply

1
Obtain a referral, Safer Spaces certificate, or make sure you already have a support in place

One of the following is needed before you can apply:

  • A referral from an authorized agency, OR
  • An authorized agency adding your information to the Government of Alberta GBV Benefit portal, OR
  • A Safer Spaces Certificate along with a referral from an authorized agency.

Authorized agencies include:

  • A shelter
  • Income support
  • AISH (Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped), or
  • A social worker.
2
Contact the Civida Gender-Based Violence Team

 

If you don’t have a referral or the documents listed above, you are welcome to reach out to us at [email protected] or 780‑420‑6161. Our GBV team can listen, answer questions, and connect you with a community agency that can support you in starting your application and providing the referral you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

Helpful Information

Eligibility

  • Does the city or community I live in affect my eligibility?

    The Benefit is available across the Province of Alberta.

    • Civida administers the Benefit for Red Deer and all areas north of Red Deer (which includes Edmonton).
    • Lethbridge Housing Authority manages the Benefit for the areas south of Red Deer, including Lethbridge.

    If your referral is submitted by an authorized agency through the Government of Alberta Benefit portal, it will automatically be directed to the Housing Management Body administering the benefit based on your postal code.

  • I live on a Reserve. Does this affect my eligibility?

    No, living on or off a reserve will not affect eligibility; however applicants must be a resident of Alberta.

  • Is the GBV Benefit gender specific?

    No, the benefit is for any person who is experiencing violence based on their gender, perceived gender, or the gender they identify with. It is not specific for women only.

  • How is distribution within northern Alberta going to ensure that rural and urban areas are equitably served?

    We recognize that gender-based violence is a concern in all regions of the province. Civida is prioritizing the distribution of the Benefit by need, across both rural and urban regions of the province. We have done research into areas of greatest need and will remain flexible in how we distribute the Benefit to ensure that there is as much equity as possible between rural and urban areas.

  • If I am a current Civida tenant or Rent Assistance recipient, am I eligible for the Benefit?
    • Recipients of the Rent Assistance Benefit (RAB), Temporary Rent Assistance Benefit (TRAB); or tenants residing in Civida Community (Social) Housing (Rent Geared to Income/RGI) do not qualify for the GBV Benefit.
    • You may qualify to receive the GBV Benefit if you have a GBV referral and are residing in our Near Market, Mixed Income, or Market housing.

    If at any point you stop receiving RAB/TRAB or leave the community (social) housing program, you may qualify for the GBV Benefit.

  • Is transitional housing the same as social housing?

    No, transitional housing is not the same as social, or community housing. Transitional housing is supportive temporary housing that bridges a gap between homelessness and permanent housing (rental or homeownership).

    Social or Community housing is long-term rental housing offered at a deeply subsidized rate. Civida offers social/community housing.

  • Do I need to be a Canadian Citizen to be eligible?

    You must be an Alberta resident.

  • Can I re-apply for the GBV Benefit?

    No, you cannot reapply for the GBV Benefit provided by the Government of Alberta if you are a previous GBV Benefit recipient.

Accessing the Benefit