Whereas BC Housings Rental Assistance Program provides critical financial support for low-income families to help with monthly rent payments; And whereas rental assistance is currently only available to families or people with dependent children, while single people do not qualify for assistance; And whereas there is a growing and urgent need for supportive housing for all ages and abilities, including those with developmental disabilities: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request that the provincial government review the eligibility criteria for rental assistance, and implement changes that would qualify single people with diverse abilities for financial support.
Ministry of Housing The provincial government is committed to supporting low-income individuals and working families by offering programs and services that meet their needs. In 202223, the Province will spend 39.9 million on the Rental Assistance Program to assist 7,100 families pay market rent for their homes. Recognizing that housing affordability challenges continue to be great, amending the scope of programs is always an option. Government acknowledges that the COVID-19 pandemic and global economic inflation has put increased pressure on low-income working individuals and families. Government continues to safeguard affordability for individuals and families by increasing the Climate Action Tax credit by an additional 164 per adult and 41 per child, increasing the BC Family Benefit by as much as 58.33 per childmonth and capping rent increases for 2023 to 2 per cent. BC is also the first province to provide 100 per cent rent bank coverage to provide low-income renters interest-free loans to cover emergency expenses so they can retain their housing, preventing homelessness. In addition to rent supplements, government has invested 1.9 billion to build 14,350 units of affordable rentals with a focus on individuals with disabilities through the BuildingBC Community Housing Fund CHF and 1.2 billion to build 3,800 units of supportive housing under the Supportive Housing Fund SHF. To date, over 9,000 units are complete or underway through CHF, and over 3,700 through SHF including the following units with a focus on people with disabilities: - Evergreen Court 4625 Evergreen Ln. provides 130 below-market rental homes for independent seniors and individuals living with intellectual disabilities, and - 85 new rental homes 15245 99 Avenue for people living with disabilities in Surrey. BC Housing also operates several additional programs that provide housing and support services to people with disabilities in British Columbia. The Rebate for Accessible Home Adaptations BC RAHA program provides low-income household grants of up to 17,500 for eligible home adaptations for independent living. The Independent Living BC Program is a subsidized, assisted-living program that provides housing with support services to seniors and people with disabilities. The program is offered in partnership between BC Housing, provincial health authorities, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and both non-profit and private-market housing providers. Recognizing the need for increased support for those with developmental disabilities, the Province has also invested 5.3 million through the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction to support Reimagining Community Inclusion RCI projects in priority areas of inclusive housing, employment, Indigenous services, and health and wellness. This funding includes 500,000 for InclusionBC to: - identify, map and engage community partners who want to support the development of inclusive housing for those with developmental disabilities, - support community partners such as non-profits and local governments to promote inclusive housing, and - raise awareness about the need for inclusive housing.