Deadline: 13-Feb-2026

The City of Lethbridge has opened its 2026 Community Wellbeing Call for Proposals to fund programs running between 2027 and 2029 across housing, homelessness prevention, outreach, Indigenous services, and community safety. The call supports FCSS, Reaching Home, and Diversion Outreach Team initiatives that strengthen coordinated access, social housing, prevention, and culturally appropriate services. Eligible applicants include non-profits, Indigenous organizations, public institutions, for-profits offering non-commercial social programs, and individuals operating within Lethbridge.

2026 Community Wellbeing Call for Proposals: City of Lethbridge

The City of Lethbridge invites applications for its 2026 Community Wellbeing Call for Proposals, supporting programs scheduled for 2027–2029. The call aligns with the Community Wellbeing and Safety Strategy, Municipal Housing Strategy, and Needs Assessment and Priorities Update to address community safety, housing stability, Indigenous supports, and coordinated service delivery.

Key Focus Areas

The call prioritizes programs that advance community wellbeing, safety, and coordinated service systems. Major focus areas include:
• Family and Community Support Services (FCSS)
• Reaching Home funding streams (Designated Communities & Indigenous Homelessness)
• Diversion Outreach Team (DOT) programming
• Prevention services and homelessness diversion
• Operational and capital social housing initiatives
• Coordinated Access leadership and system navigation
• Culturally supportive Indigenous services
• Counselling subsidy and Housing Stabilization Fund management
• Transportation and community support services
• Transitional and supportive housing development
• Alignment with municipal strategies and eligibility requirements

Strategic Priorities

Proposals must demonstrate alignment with:
• Community Wellbeing and Safety Strategy
• Reaching Home directives
• FCSS framework
• Needs Assessment and Priorities Update
• Municipal Housing Strategy
Projects should close service gaps, prioritize at-risk populations, integrate with community systems, and prevent duplication of existing services.

Eligible Applicants

The City of Lethbridge accepts proposals from:
• Individuals
• Not-for-profit organizations
• For-profit entities delivering non-commercial social programming
• Indigenous organizations and service providers
• Public institutions
All projects must operate within Lethbridge municipal boundaries.

Funding Periods

Programs must align with the following timelines:
• FCSS & Diversion Outreach Team (DOT): January 1, 2027 – December 31, 2028
• Reaching Home (RH): April 1, 2027 – March 31, 2029

Funding Streams and Available Amounts

The call consolidates multiple municipal and federal funding streams:
• Reaching Home – Designated Communities: $2,682,142.70 (two years)
• Reaching Home – Indigenous Homelessness: $1,363,085.50
• Family and Community Support Services (FCSS): $5,811,351.23
• Municipal FCSS Carryover: $215,849.02
• Diversion Outreach Team Budget: $800,000 (two years)
Applicants may also seek external complementary funding, such as:
• Affordable and Social Housing Capital Fund
• Affordable Housing Partnership Program
• Affordable Housing Fund

Priority Program Areas

The guide encourages proposals that address the most pressing community needs, such as:
• Indigenous resource centres
• Emergency housing stabilization supports
• Subsidy fund management (counselling or housing stabilization)
• Coordinated Access system leadership
• Transportation, outreach, and navigation services
• Transitional and supportive housing programs
• Services for high-priority populations identified in the Needs Assessment

How to Apply

Step-by-Step Process

1. Review the call guidelines, eligibility criteria, and funding requirements.

2. Align the proposal with FCSS, Reaching Home, and municipal strategies.

3. Design a program addressing priority gaps and populations.

4. Ensure operational capacity, insurance requirements, and compliance with standards.

5. Integrate the program with the Integrated Coordinated Access system.

6. Prepare the full proposal package, budgets, and evaluation plans.

7. Submit the proposal to the City of Lethbridge by the stated deadline.

What Reviewers Look For

• Strategic alignment with municipal and federal directives
• Clear problem definition and evidence-based need
• Strong program logic and measurable outcomes
• Integration with Coordinated Access and system-level strategies
• Cultural relevance, especially for Indigenous communities
• Long-term impact, sustainability, and coordination

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting projects that operate outside Lethbridge boundaries
• Failing to align with FCSS, Reaching Home, or municipal strategies
• Proposing services already available without added value
• Ignoring Indigenous cultural considerations
• Missing insurance or compliance requirements
• Neglecting integration with the Coordinated Access system
• Providing unclear budgets or lacking outcome measures

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Who can apply for this call?

Eligible applicants include individuals, non-profits, Indigenous organizations, public institutions, and for-profits offering non-commercial social services within Lethbridge.

2. What types of projects are prioritized?

Initiatives focusing on homelessness prevention, housing stability, Indigenous supports, outreach, transportation, and coordinated access are strongly prioritized.

3. Do programs have to operate within Lethbridge?

Yes. All funded activities must occur exclusively within the municipal boundaries of Lethbridge.

4. Can applicants apply to multiple funding streams?

Yes. Applicants may design proposals that align with multiple streams (FCSS, Reaching Home, DOT), provided eligibility and strategic alignment are met.

5. What are the program timelines?

FCSS and DOT run from 2027–2028, while Reaching Home runs from 2027–2029.

6. Are capital housing projects eligible?

Yes, capital and operational social housing projects are eligible if aligned with the Municipal Housing Strategy and funding requirements.

7. Must all projects use the Coordinated Access system?

Yes. All proposals must integrate with the Integrated Coordinated Access system and support system-wide coordination.

Conclusion

The 2026 Community Wellbeing Call for Proposals offers significant funding for programs that strengthen housing stability, reduce homelessness, support Indigenous communities, expand outreach, and contribute to a safer Lethbridge. With multi-year funding and strong strategic direction, this call empowers organizations to design impactful, coordinated solutions that address community needs and advance long-term wellbeing.

For more information, visit City of Lethbridge.