Who is eligible for the Rental Assistance Program?
You may be eligible to for the Rental Assistance Program if you meet the following criteria:
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Some or all of your annual household income must come from employment.
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You have a gross annual household income of $35,000 or less.
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You have at least one or more dependent children .
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You have less than $10,000 in assets.
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You file an annual income tax return.
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You pay more than 30 per cent of your household income towards rent for your home, or pay pad rental for a manufactured home (trailer) that you own and occupy.
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You have lived in British Columbia for the full 12 months immediately preceding the date of application.
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You meet the residency requirements for the program.
You will not be eligible for the Rental Assistance Program if:
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You or your family receive income assistance under the B.C. Employment and Assistance Act or the Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Act (excluding Medical Services only).
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If your annual gross household income is over $35,000.
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You live in subsidized housing.
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You live in co-operative housing and are a shareholder.
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You or a member of your family do not meet the residency requirements or came to Canada under a private sponsorship agreement that is still in force.
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You own a home that you do not live in.
How is the Rental Assistance calculated?
The Rental Assistance Program reimburses part of the difference between 30 per cent of your total income and your rent. The program has a sliding scale that gives the most money to people with the least income. The amount of assistance is calculated taking into account your household size, income, your rent, where you live and is subject to the maximum benefit.
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Maximum Rental Levels
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Maximum Benefit Levels
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Rental Assistance Program calculator
Maximum Rent Levels - Effective April 2008
Regardless of actual amount of rent paid, the Rental Assistance Program will only be calculated based on amounts up to maximum rent levels. The maximum rent levels are as follows:
Metro Vancouver Other areas of B.C.
Family of 3 or less $975 $900
Family of 4 or more $1100 $940
Maximum Benefit Levels
Under the Rental Assistance Program, the maximum benefit is the most rental assistance a household can receive.
Metro Vancouver Other areas of B.C.
Family of 3 or less $653 $585
Family of 4 or more $765 $621
Rental Assistance Program Calculator
To assist lower-income, working families in estimating their Rental Assistance subsidy, BC Housing provides the Rental Assistance Program calculator. This calculator provides an estimated subsidy only. The actual subsidy that a family may be eligible to receive will be confirmed once an application form has been received and processed by BC Housing staff.
The Rental Assistance Program calculator is a Microsoft Excel document. Users must have Microsoft Excel to be able to use the calculator. Click below to open up the calculator:
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Rental Assistance Program calculator (updated for April 2008)
