AISH recipients in community housing will see rent hike under new Alberta regulations
- News Article
- Jul 9
- 1 min read
Albertans who receive payments under AISH, or Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped, who live in community housing where rent is set at 30 per cent of income will soon see the amount increase by $220 a month.
Changes to the Social Housing Accommodation Regulation, approved by cabinet via orders-in-council in May and June, will result in an AISH recipient who receives $1,901 a month paying $570 in rent. The current amount is $349 a month. The changes take effect Oct. 1 for new tenants or at an existing tenant's next annual rent review.
AISH recipients used to have $735 of their monthly amount exempted from the eligible income used to determine rent. An order in council signed on May 15 by Assisted Living and Social Services Minister Jason Nixon removed that exemption.
Personal benefits remain exempt. This set of benefits covers expenses such as some of the cost of medical equipment and supplies, special dietary needs and maintenance of wheelchairs and scooters.
The changes are meant to "increase fairness" in how rent is assessed. People on government benefit programs like AISH and income support pay about 17 per cent of their income on rent.
Nixon was not made available for an interview with CBC News. His press secretary provided a written statement instead.
"Under the revised approach, rent for social community housing tenants and housing benefit recipients will be calculated as 30 per cent of total household income, treating household income from employment and assistance programs equally," Amber Edgerton wrote in an email.
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