Rental assistance is a financial support program that helps individuals or families with low income afford safe and stable housing by covering part of their monthly rent.
Tips & Links
BC Housing provides options for seniors and people living with mental illness, chronic health conditions and disabilities including emergency shelter, rental assistance programs, and ways to locate affordable home ownership.
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.
- Learn about Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER), offering rental support for low and moderate income seniors by providing monthly cash payments to subsidize rents from BC Housing.
- Explore the many BC Housing Rental Assistance Programs (RAP) for low-income families.
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 if you qualify for rental assistance using the rental calculator from BC Housing.
- Know that as a senior you may be eligible for SAFER by BC Housing if you meet these and other requirements.
- You are age 60 or older,
- You have lived in BC for the full 12 months immediately preceding your application,
- You and your spouse (with whom you are living) are Canadian citizens,
- You permanently reside in British Columbia when applying, and
- You pay more than 30 percent of your gross (before tax) monthly household income towards the rent for your home.
- Use the BC Housing listing to access accommodations 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 on rental opportunities.
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