The Home Program grant guidelines

Although everyone is affected by COVID-19, our vulnerable populations can face added risk, challenge, and hardship. To help Calgarians living in non-market housing through the pandemic, The City is expanding Home Program eligibility to include applications for COVID-19 related projects and initiatives that contribute to improving housing stability and successful tenancies.

Some examples of these initiatives could include:

• replacing in-person activities with virtual programming
• decreasing social isolation through building virtual volunteer opportunities
• scaling up services in areas like financial coaching or tax clinics
• ensuring access to basic needs is on place through delivery or transportation services
• incorporating equipment and signage to support social distancing and personal hygiene practices

While financial relief to cover lost wages, rent payments and utility bills are not eligible for Home Program funding, other local, provincial and federal grants are available to address these critical needs. For information on available resources and supports for economic relief, visit www.alberta.ca/coronavirus-info-for-albertans.aspx​​​​

We recommend all applicants contact the Home Program Administrator to discuss eligibility of projects and have questions answered prior to submitting an application package. Please email TheHomeProgram@calgary.ca​. ​

• Applications must align to one of the Home Program’s four key program priority areas (listed above)
• Applications must be for project seed money (funds used to help start a new project or initiative, or enhance an existing project or program)
• The budget must not be greater than $25,000
• If the applicant is not a housing provider (i.e. the applicant is an organization that serves affordable housing residents but does not provide housing), please confirm support of the housing provider where the program will operate (if applicable). A letter of support / confirmation from the housing provider may be requested.
• The approved deliverables must be completed within 12 months from the time the funds are awarded

• Application submissions will be accepted on an ongoing basis while funds are available
• Once all funds are awarded, the application process will close for the remainder of the calendar year

• Organizations that serve people living in affordable housing within the city limits of Calgary
• Organizations that are registered under the Societies’ Act of Alberta or the Companies’ Act of Alberta
• Must hold $2,000,000 in liability insurance

• Application forms are available by contacting The Home Program Administrator at TheHomeProgram@calgary.ca​
• Download the application from 

Applications for funding will be assessed on:

• The project’s alignment with the Home Program’s key program priorities
• Clarity of the project plan and activities
• The fit between the project activities and the proposed budget
• The demonstrated need for the project
• The level of impact or involvement on individuals in non-market housing (applicants and/or residents)
• The organization’s capacity to complete the project

• All direct and indirect costs should be included, as well as additional revenue sources
• Administration support for the project (cannot exceed 20% of the overall budget) The total amount being requested from The Home Program

• Salaries related to project implementation, rental of space, project materials, meeting costs, office expenses, volunteer engagement and recognition
• Capital purchases may be considered as a component to support programming

• Ongoing or core operations, payments directly to individuals or families, academic research, religious activities, fundraising events, expenses incurred prior to approval of Home Program funding, debt, emergency funding, land, building or vehicle purchases

• The Home Program funding applications will be reviewed by City of Calgary staff. Final funding recommendations will be made by Calgary Housing and approved by appropriate signing authorities.
• Once an application has been approved, a signed grant agreement between the successful applicant and The City of Calgary will be required, and any required documentation will need to be received by The City of Calgary prior to fund disbursement.

• Successful grant recipients will be required to submit the final reporting requirements within 30 days of the project end date. A template will be provided to funding recipients. Where applicable, a focus on outputs and storytelling will be accepted.
• Final reporting will include a financial report of how the funds were distributed, list of partners, outcome and/or output measurements, representative spotlight stories, and lessons learned
• Grant recipients may be asked to include a participant satisfaction survey (where applicable).
• Any project that has not completed the final reporting requirements by December 31, 2020 may be asked to submit a project update to support The Home Program’s year end reporting requirements.

• Complete the 2020 Home Program call for funding application and budget document
• Email complete application package to TheHomeProgram@calgary.ca

  Note: Only electronic applications will be accepted. If support is required, please contact The Home Program Administrator at TheHomeProgram@calgary.ca​