Housing Assistance for Evacuees of the Northern Alberta Wildfires

Albertans from Slave Lake and bordering communities whose homes were damaged or destroyed by wildfire may continue to need temporary housing outside the Slave Lake area while their homes are being repaired or replaced. The Alberta government is working with its partners to assess the needs of those impacted, and to identify and provide options for short and longer-term transitional housing.

Albertans who need housing must first register with the Red Cross. This registration is available by phone (1-800-565-4483). Registration is an essential step to be able to access the government services and programs developed to support evacuees.

Support through house insurance
Those who have insurance should contact their insurance provider to determine the assistance available through their insurance coverage. For example, some policies will pay for hotel stays and rent payments as transitional support.

Support for those without insurance and a place to stay
For those who do not have insurance and do not have a place to stay, housing advisors from the Alberta government and housing management bodies are working together with residents to assess individual needs and to match them with the available temporary housing—nearly all of which is outside the Slave Lake area. To apply for this assistance, through the new Emergency Managment Accommodation Program, you must complete a Housing Needs Assessment form which is available on this website, and then fax it to 780-426-6854. You will then be followed up with directly.

Information has been developed to support residents returning home as part of the Slave Lake re-entry plan.

The Re-entry of Essential Workers
An important part of the Slave Lake re-entry plan includes ensuring workers whose jobs are essential to the town’s recovery have access to housing. The provincial government is working with the Town of Slave Lake and the Municipal District of Lesser Slave River to make arrangements to house designated essential workers whose home is currently unlivable or destroyed. Essential workers who require temporary housing are a housing priority for the community, and will be located in the Town of Slave Lake, or within as close proximity to it as possible.

Note: Residents who do not have a home to return to should remain in their current accommodations until other arrangements can be made. Those currently in hotels arranged by the Red Cross should be advised those arrangements end on June 30, and should take steps to secure other accomodations. Residents may call the Housing Coordination Office in Slave Lake at 780-849-8681 to discuss housing options.

Getting the right help to the right people requires:

• Identifying if a resident's home remains intact and may be reoccupied as part of the Slave Lake re-entry plan,
• Determining the housing needs and options of essential workers,
• Planning for temporary rental arrangements while repairs are underway, for those whose homes have been damaged, and
• Securing longer-term accommodations for evacuees whose homes have been destroyed or damaged beyond repair.

Depending on the situation of a resident, these steps can be the responsibility of combination of insurance companies, local municipalities, the provincial government, and/or the resident.

Getting Help
To help you get started as you look for housing, here are a few helpful steps:

1. Gather any personal documents that are available, such as photo ID for the adults in the household. 
2. Be ready to identify which area(s) you would prefer to live and why: whether you have any connections with the area, such as living, working or having family in the area. Note, choices will depend upon available supply.
3. Be ready to identify the type of housing you need, including size, location and facilities.
4. Inform assessment staff of any special requirements (for example, mobility problems, or you need a home large enough for your care-giver to live with you).