According to the city of Airdrie, as of January 1, 2023, the city's subsidy program, the Airdrie Fair Access (AFA) program, which was formerly the Airdrie Participant Support Program will provide income-based subsidies to residents through a one-step application process.

The changes are meant to improve access to services and make transit and recreation affordable for more residents. Among some of the services that are available, are transit tickets, passes and cash fares for all routes including ICE trips to Calgary and Hello To Go, as well as the ACCESS Airdrie services, which is a shared ride, curb-to-curb, paratransit service for eligible residents that are unable to use fixed route services.

Some of Genesis Place's programs are also within the list of services. However, the city underlined that in order to register for Genesis Place programs online, AFA participants must pay the full program fee at the time of registration, and then contact the administration at Genesis Place to arrange for reimbursement.

For those who have already been approved under the former APSP program and have an active APSP card, their membership will continue and they can use their card to access eligible subsidies until the end of the term. They will not need to reapply for the program until 2024 or until their term ends. 

"Your subsidy will be increased from 50 per cent to 75 per cent for the remainder of your term and current cards will be valid until expiry, or until December 31, 2023 (for current subsidy holders with an expiry date in 2024). When your term ends you will need to reapply to the AFA program and your subsidy rate will be determined based on your application and income at that time," the city website stated. 

The city's website underlined that in order to qualify, applicants must be residents of the City of Airdrie and have a household income that is within 25 per cent of the low-income cut-off before taxes (LICO-BT) as defined by Statistics Canada for census metropolitan areas of more than 500,000 people.

cityThe City of Airdrie has announced changes to its subsidy program for low-income residents. (Graphic provided by the City of Airdrie) 

The city reminded residents that eligibility is determined based on the combined income of all adult members of the household, and the total number of members in the household. Your total income can be found on your Notice of (Tax) Assessment on line 15000.

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