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Any British Columbia renter who’s been laid off or experiencing a loss of income due to COVID-19 can now apply for financial support.
Applications are now open for the temporary rental supplement, which will provide $300 per month for eligible households with no dependents and $500 per month for eligible households with dependents.
Eligible roommates will each be able to apply for the supplement separately.
Applications are now open for BC's direct help for renters.
— John Horgan (@jjhorgan) April 9, 2020
📰 Update: https://t.co/uH3cZBbiTe
📩 Apply: https://t.co/8wxwLS7GZV pic.twitter.com/jRL9KCjcTK
"We're helping (British Columbians) pay rent with the new temporary rental supplement - providing direct relief on the biggest month-to-month expense for most households," said Selina Robinson, minister of housing.
"Together with the other provincial and federal programs, the rental supplement will give people the financial support they need right now."
The rental supplement is available on a per-household bases to those who meet all of the following criteria:
- 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.
- 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).
It’s available for April, May and June 2020 and renters who are eligible and have already paid their April rent can still receive the rental supplement for this month.
Once accepted, the rental supplement will be paid directly to landlords on behalf of renters to reduce the amounts tenants’ owe in rent and ensure landlords get their income right away.
“Once an application is completed and processed, funds will be direct deposited within approximately seven days,” says a statement from the provincial government.
“BC Housing has redeployed employees and brought on additional staff to make sure applications are processed as quickly as possible.”
The Province has also halted evictions and frozen rent increases during the COVID-19 pandemic.
To learn more and apply online, click this link.
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