Every aspect of BC Housing’s business is centered on our clients. To best serve them, we have created relationships with policy partners to create housing, delivery partners to manage and oversee housing, service partners to serve clients and contributing partners to maximize resources.

How we do it

Increasing housing options
Maintaining and administering existing housing
Providing client services
Delivering services cost-effectively - Annual Budget

Increasing housing options

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. BC Housing provides funding for non-profit housing developments with support services that address homelessness in B.C. communities. The Province has committed to creating more than 4,000 new and upgraded supportive housing units under the Provincial Homelessness Initiative.
Homeless Outreach Program - The Homeless Outreach Program connects homeless people to income assistance, housing and community-based health services in over 40 communities across the province. The Province of B.C. is expanding the homeless outreach program to 43 new and existing communities as well as providing 750 rent supplement units in order to help break the cycle of homelessness.

Aboriginal Housing Programs - The Province of B.C. is committed to addressing Aboriginal housing needs through the provincial housing strategy, Housing Matters BC. Aboriginal housing programs help build safe, affordable housing for Aboriginal people in greatest need. The Aboriginal Housing Initiative provides a long-term plan to help build new, affordable housing for Aboriginal individuals living off-reserve and the Aboriginal Homeless Outreach Program provides more immediate solutions by directly engaging homeless Aboriginal people living on the streets and providing access to housing and services.

Seniors' Supportive Housing (SSH) - Launched on October 2007, the Seniors' Supportive Housing program is being financed with the government’s Budget 2007 commitment of $45 million over four years to upgrade or convert up to 750 subsidized housing units to supportive housing. The program provides specially modified rental homes, in selected subsidized housing developments, primarily to low-income seniors who need some assistance in order to continue to live independently. The outcome of the proposal call for approximately 300 units means that close to 800 housing units will be converted with the budget commitment.

Independent Living BC (ILBC) - This housing-for-health program serves seniors and people with disabilities who require some support, but do not need 24-hour institutional care. ILBC offers a middle option to bridge the gap between home care and residential care. More than 4,000 affordable assisted living apartments will be provided for B.C. seniors and persons with disabilities. To date, more than 3,900 have been allocated in communities across the province.

Emergency Shelter Program - The Emergency Shelter Program offers temporary shelter, food and other services to meet the basic nutritional and hygiene needs of people who are homeless as well as providing a gateway to support services that help individuals to re-stabilize their lives. There are approximately 60 homeless shelters and drop-in agencies funded by the government throughout British Columbia.

Housing Endowment Fund - This fund is a $250 million capital endowment that was established to encourage new ideas and support innovative housing solutions. The investment revenue of approximately $10 million a year is paid out in keeping with the mandate and purpose of the Housing Endowment Fund. The intent is to allocate available revenue on an ongoing basis each year.

Maintaining and administering existing housing

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 2007/08, approximately $319 million or almost 63 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 2007/08, government assisted programs will help almost 90,000 households or almost six per cent of the total households in British Columbia.

Providing client services
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 - The Rental Assistance Program provides eligible low-income working families with cash assistance to help with their monthly rent payments.
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Together these programs provide a continuum of housing options that addresses a variety of housing and support needs.

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