The BC government is expanding their capacity to help families and seniors afford their rent.
Specifically, the Province is enhancing the Rental Assistance Program (RAP) and the Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER) program, which help low-income families and seniors afford to pay their rent.
Beginning April 1st, and per the Province’s Budget 2025, the RAP and SAFER programs have expanded eligibility criteria that will end up benefiting more than 30,000 households in BC.
“With the rising cost of living, we’re enhancing supports through the RAP and SAFER programs to ensure more families and seniors can access essential financial help,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs.
“These changes will help people stay in their homes in the communities they love and allow us to support more people as they manage the challenges of rent and living expenses.”
Additionally, those already receiving rental assistance through RAP and SAFER will see an automatic increase in their payments and benefits.
“Seniors are vital to our communities, and they should receive the support they need to live comfortably,” said Susie Chant, parliamentary secretary for seniors’ services and long-term care.
“This change to eligibility requirements offers much-needed relief for low-income seniors and families facing rising living costs. These improvements will help seniors live safely and comfortably in their homes and in communities they’ve helped build.”
The two big improvements to RAP include increasing the household income eligibility threshold from $40,000 to $60,000 before taxes and increasing family supplement from $400 to $700 per month.
Additionally, new single provincial rent ceilings, which can be altered annually, will help ensure adequate funding and the requirement for employment income is being removed, an aspect of RAP that previously was a massive barrier to those without employment.
The enhancements to SAFER include increasing the household income eligibility threshold from $37,240 to $40,000 and increasing the average supplement by around 30%, which will bring the average monthly subsidy for seniors to $337.
“The SAFER program is an essential support for low-income BC seniors living on fixed incomes who are struggling with the rising cost of rent, groceries and other items needed for healthy aging,” said Dan Levitt, BC seniors advocate.
“I’m pleased more seniors will be eligible to receive SAFER, however, I’d still like to see the SAFER program be indexed to inflation and have government commit to ensuring the program is meeting its goal to have recipients paying no more than 30% of their income on rent.
Levitt added that the seniors’ demographic in BC is increasing rapidly and supports like SAFER are critically important.
These enhancements are due to an additional investment of $375 million over the next three years to enhance both RAP and SAFER programs.
Part of this investment was negotiated by the BC Green caucus, who have signed a supply and confidence deal with the BC NDP government. The Greens committed $75 million to the enhancements coming to the two programs.
“The BC Greens have long advocated for stronger rental support, and we’re proud to see these improvements through our accord with the NDP,” said Rob Botterell, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands.
“Housing must be a priority and the $75 million we secured will help more families and seniors get the help they need to make rents more affordable.”
The RAP enhancements are expected to help around 6,000 families, whereas the SAFER boost will aid an estimated 25,000 seniors.
