Partnership is at the heart of RentSmart’s arrival in Calgary. The Centre, the City of Calgary Home Program and the Canadian Mental Health Association – Calgary Region are working together to make tenant education more accessible than ever.
This spring, RentSmart, a trauma-informed tenant education initiative, relaunches in the region. With training sponsored by the City and a tailored curriculum, frontline organizations gain a practical, evidence-based tool to help tenants build the skills, confidence, and long-term housing stability.
A local partner with deep roots
CMHA Calgary steps into the role of lead facilitator for RentSmart in Calgary, coordinating local outreach and helping organizations access educator training. The partnership reflects a shared understanding: housing stability is inseparable from mental health and community wellbeing.
“CMHA Calgary brings decades of experience in housing, mental health, and prevention,” says Kayley Harding, Educational Specialist at the Centre. “They are the right partner to help us embed RentSmart in the fabric of Calgary’s social service landscape.”
“Strong communities are built on stable housing, connection, and access to the right supports at the right time. Through our partnership on RentSmart, CMHA Calgary is pleased to help expand access to practical, trauma-informed tenant education that helps people stay housed and stay well. This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to prevention, partnership, and a healthier Calgary for everyone,” says Linda McLean, Executive Director, CMHA Calgary.
What’s new with RentSmart
Following the Train-the-Trainer model, the program’s core mission remains the same, preventing housing loss through education, the delivery has been refreshed to meet today’s challenges. Harding has led an update of the curriculum to reflect the realities of Calgary’s rental market, with ongoing input from local focus groups coordinated by the CMHA Calgary team.
The enhanced RentSmart program includes:
- Six core modules covering housing needs, applications, rights and responsibilities, financial management, communication, and household maintenance.
- Trauma-informed teaching strategies to support diverse learners.
- Guidance on Alberta’s Residential Tenancies Act and connections to local community resources.
- A certification credential that graduates can use as a rental reference.
Who is the RentSmart Educator program for?
RentSmart is designed to create impact at two levels: for the organizations and educators who deliver it.
- For professionals working with tenants, the program is a development opportunity. Frontline staff gain practical tools they can apply directly to their casework, including training in tenancy law, adult learning strategies, and trauma-informed facilitation.
- For organizations, RentSmart offers a ready-to-deploy resource that strengthens housing outcomes for tenants, reduces eviction risks, housing disruptions, and builds stronger resilient communities.
As one RentSmart educator shared: “The program helped us reduce evictions and gave tenants a real sense of confidence.”
Get involved
Organizations interested in becoming RentSmart Educators in Calgary can connect with CMHA Calgary to learn more about training and delivery in Calgary and surrounding area.
The Centre is also seeking partners to help scale the initiative. Opportunities include sponsoring learner bursaries, bulk purchasing for your organization, or supporting program development to expand into new communities.
Learn more
