From crisis to homeownership: How rent assistance helped one Calgary family thrive

When Małgorzata’s husband died suddenly seven years ago, affordable housing became a lifeline for her to get back on her feet, find full time employment, and create a stable life for herself and her young son.

Her husband got sick with an illness that affected his liver, checked into the hospital, and passed away just two weeks later. Suddenly, Małgorzata was in the middle of a crisis. She had no income, as she was a stay-at-home parent who took care of their eight-year-old child. She struggled with her English language skills, and she didn’t know what she was going to do for work.

She applied for Calgary Housing and was able to access the Rent Assistance Benefit (RAB) program.

RAB provides long-term rent support for those living on a lower income. As of January 2026, over 3,500 households are supported under the RAB and the associated Temporary Rent Assistance Benefit programs. Rent Assistance is funded by the Government of Alberta.

"Before, I had to go to the food bank. I needed to ask for help. Now, what I have is enough for me."

Malgorzata

“Calgary Housing helped me and that was big for me,” she said.

Małgorzata has three children – two of them adult daughters living outside the home. They supported their mom during this hard time, taking care of their brother when they could.

This support, along with affordable rent on what she calls ‘a really nice apartment’ through RAB, helped Małgorzata create a life where she could support herself. She started working a night shift job at a women’s emergency shelter, and her daughters provided care for her son while she worked

After five years of working the night shift, Małgorzata was able to transition to a day job as an admin assistant, a job that her daughter recommended to her. 

“I love this work because I love to help people,” she says about her work at the emergency shelter, “but after five years, it was a lot for me.”

She’s since remarried and is now exiting RAB to move into homeownership. The rent support under RAB was critical for her to be able to save enough for a down payment.

“Before, I had to go to the food bank. I needed to ask for help. Now, what I have is enough for me.”

Małgorzata is pleased to now have something that is her own. She says she is excited to be able to invest in a home that can contribute to her family’s future.

“I’m very happy for this help. This is a very big help for people.”

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