Supportive housing in BC is a type of affordable housing that provides on-site support services to help people maintain stable housing and improve their well-being.
Tips & Links
Supportive housing is beneficial for people with cognitive disabilities and other health conditions requiring support because it provides housing combined with essential support services that help them live safely, independently, and with dignity.
Learn More
- Know that supportive housing is subsidized housing with on-site supports for single adults, seniors and people with disabilities at risk of or experiencing homelessness. These supports help people find and maintain stable housing facilitated by BC Housing – a program by the Government of BC.
- 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.
- Supportive housing may include self-contained units, or private rooms, with doors that lock in an apartment-style building, private or shared bathroom and kitchen, meal programs, laundry facilities, 24/7 access to support staff, training for life skills or employment skills, referrals to other community services and access to health and medical services.
- 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 (or the needs of the person you are supporting) 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, or 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.
- Learn about seniors’ supportive housing that provides specially modified rental homes for low-income seniors and people with disabilities who need some assistance to live on their own from the Government of BC.
- Explore the many BC Housing-Rental-Assistance programs for low-income families and Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER).
- Explore options for home care, supportive housing, and living independently with a disability such as the Choice in Supports for Independent Living (CSIL) program in BC.
- Connect with community and government resources for persons with disabilities at BC211.
Mywell Health was developed to help you store all your health, living, financial and lifestyle information in one place.