Which type of housing applies to me?

Affordable Housing

  • I am 19 years old or older

  • I am looking for affordable rental housing

  • My total household income is below the Housing Income Limits (HILs) set by BC Housing. For info on HILs, see below.

Supportive Housing

  • I am homeless or at risk of homelessness

  • I require supports to live independently

  • I need support to maintain a successful tenancy

Affordable Housing

In British Columbia, affordable housing is defined as housing that costs no more than 30% of a household's gross (pre-tax) income. This standard is widely used by governments, housing providers, and financial institutions to assess housing affordability .

Affordable housing encompasses various types, including:

  • Affordable Rental Housing: Units with rents at or below average market rates, often determined using data from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) or local community information .

  • Non-Profit Housing: Rental housing owned and operated by community-based, non-profit societies or local governments, aimed at providing safe, secure, and affordable accommodation to households with low to moderate incomes.

The Province of British Columbia, through BC Housing, collaborates with partners like BCIHS to provide affordable housing options, including social housing, rent assistance, and supportive housing, to ensure that all residents have access to safe and affordable homes.

If this sounds like you, note that you must have a Total Household Income at or below the Housing Income Limits (HILs) set by BC Housing:

Bachelor - $58,000
1 bedroom - $58,000
2 bedroom - $72,000
3 bedroom - $86,000
4+ bedroom - $107,500

Affordable Housing next steps:

  • Download and complete the BCIHS Application Form

  • Send your completed form:

    • In-person: Bring your application to the BCIHS Head Office

    • By mail: 548 Beatty Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 2L3

    • By email: info@bcihs.ca

    If you need extra assistance filling out the application, or you do not have access to a printer, please visit us at BCIHS Head Office (548 Beatty Street)..

Supportive Housing

In British Columbia, supportive housing is a form of subsidized housing that offers on-site support services to individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. This housing model aims to provide residents with stable accommodations and the necessary support to maintain their housing and improve their quality of life.

You may be eligible for Supportive Housing if you:

  • Are homeless or at risk of homelessness

  • Require supports to live independently

  • Need support to maintain a successful tenancy

Key features of supportive housing in B.C. include:

  • Private Living Spaces: Residents have self-contained units equipped with kitchenettes and private bathrooms.

  • On-Site Support Services: These may encompass life skills training, connections to healthcare, mental health or substance-use services, and other non-clinical supports.

  • 24/7 Staff Availability: Staff are present around the clock to assist residents as needed.

  • Communal Areas: Many facilities offer shared spaces, some of which are culturally appropriate, to foster a sense of community.

Supportive housing next steps:

To maximize your chances for acceptance we recommend you apply to both BC Housing and BCIHS:

BC Housing

  • Please submit an application to the Supportive Housing Registration Service. You find find the Supportive Housing Registration Service Application form by clicking on the button below or by visiting Orange Hall (295 E Hastings St, Vancouver, BC. V6A 2Z3).

BCIHS

  • Download and complete the BCIHS Application Form

  • Send your completed form:

    • In-person: Bring your application to the BCIHS Head Office

    • By mail: 548 Beatty Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 2L3

    • By email: info@bcihs.ca