BC Housing partners with private and non-profit housing providers, other levels of government, health authorities and other community agencies to increase subsidized housing options for British Columbians in greatest need.

How we do it

Develop new subsidized housing

Independent Living BC (ILBC) – A housing for health partnership designed to meet the needs of seniors and people with disabilities who require some personal assistance, but who do not need 24-hour facility care. Through this program, over 4,000 units will be developed across the province.

Provincial Homelessness Initiative (PHI) – This initiative emerged from the work of the Premier’s Task Force on Homelessness, Mental Health and Addictions in the fall of 2004. To date, long-term housing and support solutions to homelessness have been allocated in Kelowna, New Westminster, Prince George, Fort St. John, Nanaimo, Surrey and Vancouver.

Community Partnership Initiatives (CPI) – Through one-time grants, access to consulting services and the provision of construction and long-term financing, BC Housing supports its housing partners to put in place innovative strategies and partnership initiatives to create housing without the need for ongoing operating subsidies.

Provincial Housing Program (PHP) – This program helps fund the creation of new non-profit and co-operative developments that provide safe, secure and affordable housing for families and individuals. Approximately 8,000 units of non-profit and co-op housing will have been created when the program concludes in 2006/07.

Maintain existing housing portfolio

The current inventory of social housing is delivered through a number of different funding programs and service delivery models including emergency shelters, transitional, supported and assisted living, and independent social housing. BC Housing's role is to ensure this housing is well-managed and well-maintained over the long term. BC Housing also provides financial, administrative and technical support to non-profit and co-op housing providers, and oversight through long-term operating agreements.

In 2006/07, approximately $252.5 million or almost 67 per cent of BC Housing's budget is allocated to subsidies to support non-profit housing providers. In working with non-profit and co-op housing sectors, BC Housing's role is one of stewardship and accountability.

Public Housing: BC Housing is responsible for the effective planning and management of 7,800 public housing units and more than 300 group homes.

Non-Profit and Co-operative Housing: There are approximately 59,500 units of subsidized housing managed by over 720 different housing sponsors. BC Housing provides financial, administrative, and technical support to these groups as well as administering long-term operating agreements and managing the flow of subsidies.

By the end of 2006/07, government assisted programs will help more than 83,900 households or almost six per cent of the total households in British Columbia.

Rent assistance in the private market

BC Housing provides rent assistance to seniors and low-income, working families in the private rental market through the following programs:

Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER) - The SAFER Program provides direct cash assistance to eligible residents of British Columbia who are age 60 or over and who pay rent for their homes.

Rental Assistance Program - This program provides rental assistance for low-income, working families with children under the age of 19 and a household income of less than $20,000. Housing assistance is paid directly to eligible households to assist these families in meeting monthly rent payments in the private market.

Together these programs provide a continuum of housing options that addresses a variety of housing and support needs.

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