Rental Assistance Program
The Rental Assistance Program provides direct cash assistance to help low-income working families with the cost of appropriate rental housing. More than 7,700 families throughout B.C. receive assistance with an average payment of about $350 per month.
The Province has expanded the program to help even more families by: increasing the income ceiling; raising the amount of assistance families receive; and improving access for families with older children still living at home while they attend post-secondary school or families who care for adult children with disabilities. Working families earning up to $35,000 a year can receive direct rent subsidies ranging from $50 up to $875 per month.
Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER)
Seniors have access to rent subsidies through Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER), which provides monthly cash payments to more than 15,700 eligible seniors age 60 and over who rent their homes.
SAFER has been expanded and updated to better meet the housing needs of low-income seniors. Changes include increased benefit levels and eligibility, the inclusion of seniors who pay pad rentals for manufactured homes, and increased heat allowance to offset rising utility costs, and the removal of the 10-year Canadian residency requirement.
Shelter Allowance Increase
The Province provides income assistance, which includes a shelter allowance, to eligible low-income British Columbians. In 2007, the Province increased shelter rates, helping more than 135,000 people with the cost of their housing and ensuring they continue to have access to affordable housing.
Family Self-Sufficiency
Families in subsidized housing have new opportunities to gain financial skills they need to be able to transition from subsidized housing into rental homes in the private market. The Family Self Sufficiency Program helps families learn to budget and save money towards more independent housing. Piloted in Victoria through the Burnside Gorge Community Association, the program has now been expanded from 38 to 100 families and has been expanded to the Comox Valley and Campbell River.
Housing Endowment Fund
The Province established the $250-million Housing Endowment Fund as a funding source for innovative housing proposals. More than $9 million has been committed to 20 new innovative housing initiatives, including a partnership with Habitat for Humanity to foster home ownership and expand access to affordable housing, and the conversion of a small apartment building in Victoria into homes for low-and moderateincome families. For example, Covenant House temporary youth shelter in Vancouver expanded from 32 to 54 beds with a $5-million investment from the Housing Endowment Fund.
The fund also provided funding for the purchase of four housing units in Sechelt with the Sunshine Coast Association for Community Living. These units will provide homes for people with developmental disabilities and supports will be provided by Community Living BC.
Encouraging New Rental Housing
Local governments have increased flexibility to promote types of affordable housing that are needed in their communities through legislative changes in the Local Government (Green Communities) Statutes Amendment Act. Local governments now have the ability to waive or reduce development cost charges for new rental housing, savings thousands of dollars per unit and encouraging the construction of new affordable housing.