I’ve been given notice of eviction but have nowhere to stay – what do I do?

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• You should complete a BC Housing Registry application, if you haven't already, and the supplemental application if you are in dire need for housing, which signifies to BC Housing that you belong in a higher urgent category/waitlist for subsidized housing. If after you have submitted your first supplemental application, your housing situation becomes more dire, such as if you now know the bailiff is coming soon or you are already experiencing homelessness, you are encouraged to fill out another supplemental application.

 

• Contact your MLA's office about your situation. They often have contacts within BC Housing and might be able to have a BC Housing staff look at how you can expand or make more accurate your application.

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• If you are Indigenous, leaving the foster care system, a woman fleeing or at risk of domestic violence, or leaving the correctional or hospital system, you may also be eligible for funding from the homeless prevention program.

 

How do I speed up my BC Housing application?

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• There is not a way to simply skip the line. However, having supplemental application form completed which details your current urgent housing need will better help BC Housing prioritize you. BC Housing will give priority to applicants whose situation is urgent due to a health condition, domestic violence, or homelessness, and the supplemental form is where this information can be provided. You must have a third-party to verify your living situation. If there is an escalation in any of the three situations, do fill out another form and then call BC Housing.

 

• Apply for every building you’re willing and eligible to live in, but don’t apply to placements you know you won’t accept if offered: you can only turn down two offers before you’re moved back to the bottom of the list.

 

• Consider applying to the Section #2 or off-registry buildings. These are buildings where applicants must apply to the housing providers directly because they do not use the Housing Registry database.

 

How do I contest an eviction notice or another issue with my landlord?

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• Call the Tenant and Resource Advisory Centre (TRAC)’s Tenant Infoline (604-255-0546 or 1-800-665-1185) during their hours of operations. TRAC provides free legal education and advocacy for BC tenants, and can provide guidance on all tenancy issues.

• In response to the more common tenancy problem of landlord violating tenancies through bad-faith 'landlord use' evictions, starting July 18, 2024, landlords will be required to use the Landlord Use Web Portal to generate Notices to End Tenancy for personal occupancy or caretaker use. Landlords generating notices to end tenancy will be required to include information about the persons moving into the home. Through this process, landlords are informed of the significant penalties they could face if they are found to be evicting a tenant in bad faith. By requiring landlords to include the information of who will be occupying the home on the notice, tenants can have a better sense of the landlords’ intentions and may provide this information at the dispute hearing if they believe the landlord is acting in bad faith.

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• The Residential Tenancy Branch offers tenant-landlord dispute resolution. Ideally after receiving guidance on your situation, you can request that an RTB arbitrator looks at your case and makes a legally binding decision.

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• CLAS BC and (in Vancouver) First United Advocacy provide help to people facing eviction

 

I have a place but am struggling with rent – what help is there?

 

• If you have a dependent you may qualify for the Rental Assistance Program, which provides help with paying rent in the private market

 

• If you don’t have dependents and are over the age of 60, you may qualify for the Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters program

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• The Homeless Prevention Program provides portable rent supplements and support services to individuals in identified at-risk groups facing homelessness.

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• If you’re living in a rental unit and having difficulty paying rent, a rent bank may be able to help you with a one-time, interest-free loan

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The BC Government is investing into housing in Richmond-Steveston. Learn more here!