The Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia announced a new housing benefit that will provide monthly rental assistance to marginalized and low-income groups across the province. The 10-year, $517 million investment in the CA-BC HB program (Canada – British Columbia Housing Benefit) will support more than 25,000 households.

Half of the investment is already being used to support enhancements that were made to the provincial Rental Assistance Program (RAP) or Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER) in 2018. The program will be delivered to households that are not eligible for RAP or SAFER, and fall within one or more targeted priority groups, including women and children experiencing or at risk of domestic violence, Indigenous peoples, racialized communities, veterans, youth leaving care, people with disabilities and people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

“Our government is committed to ensuring that every Canadian has a safe and affordable place to call home and we recognize the long-standing need for predictable funding for housing,” said The Hon. Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). “Today, we are taking another significant step toward our goal of building strong communities where British Columbians continue to prosper and thrive, now and for generations to come.”

The benefit will be provided directly to selected qualifying households through non-profit housing providers or by BC Housing, through The Housing Registry.

“The federal government is back into affordable housing with our National Housing Strategy,” said the Hon. Joyce Murray, Minister of Digital Government and Member of Parliament for Vancouver Quadra. “The Canada – British Columbia – Housing Benefit is a key component in developing an ambitious 10-year plan for the housing sector to make real progress for British Columbians. I am committed to working with all levels of government to ensure that our communities have access to safe, affordable, and stable housing.”

More information on the CA-BC HB program is available here: Working for British Columbians (gov.bc.ca)