Affordable housing refers to housing that is reasonably priced so that individuals or families with low to moderate incomes can afford to live in it without spending more than 30% of their gross household income on housing costs, including rent or mortgage and utilities.
Tips & Links
Affordable housing is essential for people with mental and physical health conditions or disabilities because it provides stable, accessible, and safe living environments that support overall well-being and independence.
Learn More
- Learn how BC Housing is responsible for the development, management, and administration of affordable housing.
- Explore programs for people living with chronic health conditions, mental health illnesses, and/or disabilities such as supportive housing that includes on-site health care services, social work and/or life skills support and rental assistance or subsidies based on income from BC Housing.
- Learn about housing and programs to support low-income individuals or those with special health and care needs wishing to live independently from BC Housing.
- Know that navigating housing support in BC can involve a combination of provincial programs, local government projects and direct financial assistance.
Things You Can Do
- Be clear on your needs and vision for your home and living situation before you begin exploring the options available.
- Assess what kind of housing supports you need: wheelchair accessibility, proximity to medical care, quiet environments, etc.
- Ask for a physician letter or assessment outlining your medical and housing needs; this can support applications for disability-friendly or subsidized housing.
- Connect with a social worker (hospital or community-based) to help fill out housing applications. Work with an occupational therapist to assess your home needs and provide documentation for adaptive housing.
- Learn about supportive housing from BC Housing offering a range of on-site, non-clinical supports. Staff are on-site 24/7 to provide support such as life skills training, and connections to health care, mental health, or substance-use services.
- Learn how to apply for BC Housing programs and services. Visit the website to learn about eligibility and the application process using the BC Housing Program Finder.
- Explore the BC Housing Rental-Assistance-Programs for low-income families and Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER).
- Apply for a Rebate for Accessible Home Adaptations (RAHA) from BC Housing.
- Use the BC Housing listings to access housing for people with disabilities or special health needs. Sign-up for alerts for specific housing offerings.
- Join local Facebook groups or housing forums where people share leads.
Mywell Health was developed to help you store all your health, living, financial and lifestyle information in one place.