Applications for the temporary provincial fund to assist renters who have lost income due to the COVID-19 pandemic in paying rent are now open.
In a statement on Thursday, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing announced specifications and eligibility criteria for those applying to the program.
The temporary rental supplement must be applied for by tenants but will be paid directly to landlords.
Those who meet the requirements for eligibility will receive $300 per month for households with no dependents and $500 per month for households with dependents.
For those living with roommates, each eligible roommate can apply separately for the assistance.
Funds have been made available for the months of April, May, and June. Those who have already paid their rent for April can still receive the $300 or $500 assistance for this month.
Eligibility criteria
Those who wish to apply for the rental supplement must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Receiving or eligible for Employment Insurance, the Canada Emergency Response Benefit or experiencing a 25% reduction in monthly employment income as a result of COVID-19,
- 2019 household income of less than $74,150 for households with no dependents and $113,040 for households with dependents,
- Paying more than 30% of current/reduced gross monthly income towards rent, and
- Not receiving any other rent subsidy from any level of government, including subsidized housing or rent supplements, such as Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER) or the Rental Assistance Program (RAP).
Tenants must start the application process and once the applicant has been deemed eligible, an email will be sent to the landlord who will then be asked to confirm details around tenancy, rental address, and monthly rent amount.
Funds will be direct deposited within approximately seven days after an application is completed and processed.
Those who are interested and eligible to receive this supplement can start the application process through this BC Housing website.
Last month, the provincial government also announced a suspension of current and future evictions until this crisis has passed, barring some exceptions for extreme circumstances.
In addition, Premier John Horgan instated a rent increase freeze that took effect on April 1st.
Landlords are now allowed to restrict access to common areas – like placing restrictions on how many people can be in a shared laundry room at once – and to stop visitors from entering the building.
See all the latest updates about the global COVID-19 pandemic on Vancouver Island
The BCCDC has set up a 2019 novel coronavirus telephone information line at 1-833-784-4397 for those who have further questions about this disease.
Anyone concerned that they may have been exposed to, or are experiencing symptoms of the novel coronavirus, should contact their primary care provider, local public health office, or call 8-1-1.
The Province has also created the 1-888-COVID-19 line to connect British Columbians needing non-medical information about the coronavirus pandemic.
As of the time of publication, the total number of COVID-19 patients worldwide has risen to 1,583,332.
Over 94,500 people have died from the illness and 348,468 have made a full recovery.
