Debt Resources for Seniors in BC

This program provides monthly cash payments to eligible British Columbia seniors. You may be eligible if:

• You are 60 years or older.
• You pay rent for your home, including a pad rental for a manufactured home (trailer) that you own and occupy.
• You pay more than 30 percent of your gross (before tax) monthly household income for rent.
• You are a Canadian citizen, or authorized to take up permanent residence in Canada, or a Convention refugee.
• You have lived in British Columbia for the full 12 months immediately preceding when you apply.

Application forms and further information on eligibility are available from any B.C. Housing office, or can be downloaded from B.C. Housing’s website. For more information, contact:
Address: B.C. Housing SAFER, 101 – 4555 Kingsway, Burnaby, B.C. V5H 4V8
The toll-free number: 1-800-257-7756
In Greater Vancouver the number is: 604-433-2218
Fax: 604-439-4729
E-mail: applicantinquiries@bchousing.org
The Website is: www.bchousing.org/programs/SAFER .

If you are a British Columbia homeowner thinking about making energy efficient improvements to your home, the LiveSmart BC: Efficiency Incentive Program (EIP) will give you cash back for making these improvements, such as installing things like a new efficient gas furnace or new gas water heater.

The first step for homeowners in the LiveSmart BC program is to contact a certified energy advisor to book a home energy assessment. The advisor will recommend cost-effective options for reducing energy use and will handle the paperwork for the incentive application.

For a detailed summary of available LiveSmart BC incentives, and to contact an energy advisor through the LiveSmart BC: Efficiency Incentive Program:
The Website is:  www.livesmartbc.ca .
E-mail: EfficiencyIncentives@gov.bc.ca
The toll-free number: 1-866-430-8765

If you own your home, are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, ordinarily reside in British Columbia and occupy your residence as your principal residence, you may be eligible for the provincial Home Owner Grant. The grant reduces the amount of property taxes you have to pay.

To apply for the Home Owner Grant, complete the application form on the back of the property tax notice that is sent to you each year. You must confirm that you are the registered owner, that you are or will be at least 65 in the calendar year (to receive the additional grant) and provide your date of birth and phone number. The amount of the grant will be deducted from the property taxes you will pay.

For more information contact the Home Owner Grant Administration section: 
The toll-free number: 1-888-355-2700
In Greater Victoria the number is: 250-356-8904 or 250-387-8166
The Website is: www.sbr.gov.bc.ca/individuals/Property_Taxes/Home_Owner_Grant/hog.htm
E-mail: hogadmin@gov.bc.ca
Or call your local tax collector’s office or Service B.C. Centre (Government Agent).

In January of each year, B.C. Assessment sends all property owners a Property Assessment Notice showing the fair market value of the property. This market value is used, in part, by taxing authorities to calculate your property taxes.
If you believe the information on your Assessment Notice is incorrect, please contact your local B.C. Assessment office by January 31st at the phone number or address written on the front of your Assessment Notice.
The Website is: www.bcassessment.ca

Homeowners aged 55 and over may defer the payment of annual property taxes on their principal residence. The Property Tax Deferment Program is a low interest loan program that assists qualified British Columbia homeowners in paying the annual property taxes on their home.

The deferred taxes are paid by the Province to the taxing authority (municipality or provincial collector) on behalf of the homeowner. The deferred taxes must be repaid with interest and an administrative fee to the Province, either:

• Before the home can be transferred to a new owner other than to a surviving spouse, or
• Upon the homeowner’s death, with repayment through the estate.

The program is also available to homeowners of any age who are surviving spouses of homeowners who were enrolled in the deferment program, or who have been designated as a Person with Disability by the Ministry of Housing and Social Development or have supplied a disability certification form completed by their physician.

For more information on the Property Tax Deferment Program, including other eligibility criteria for the program, contact your local government office or Service B.C. Centre (Government Agent office) where you pay your property taxes. Or contact the Real Property Taxation Branch:
Address:
Real Property Taxation Branch, Tax Deferment Section
Ministry of Small Business and Revenue
P.O. Box 9446 STN PROV GOVT
Victoria, B.C. V8W 9V6
In Victoria the number is: 250-387-0555
E-mail: ruraltax@gov.bc.ca

The Website is: www.sbr.gov.bc.ca/individuals/Property_Taxes/Property_Tax_Deferment/ptd.htm

The Seniors’ Supportive Housing (SSH) program provides specially modified rental homes in selected subsidized housing developments primarily to low-income seniors who need some assistance in order to continue to live independently. You may be eligible for SSH if:

• You would benefit from a modified physical environment and support services to assist you to live independently;
• You don’t require a permanent level of support that exceeds the services provided under the SSH program;
• You are able to manage your own lifestyle, including reacting appropriately in an emergency situation; and
• You don’t demonstrate behaviour(s) that place you or other tenants at risk.

Application forms and further information on eligibility are available from any B.C. Housing office or can be downloaded from B.C. Housing’s website. Contact information:
Address:
B.C. Housing SSH
101 – 4555 Kingsway
Burnaby, B.C. V5H 4V8
The toll-free number: 1-800-257-7756
In Greater Vancouver the number is: 604-433-2218
Fax: 604-439-4729
E-mail: applicantinquiries@bchousing.org
The Website is: www.bchousing.org/programs/SSH

Independent Living B.C. (ILBC) offers a middle option for seniors who need some assistance but do not want or need 24-hour residential care. ILBC tenants receive accommodation, hospitality services (including meals, housekeeping, recreational opportunities and 24-hour response) and personal care services (including assistance with grooming, mobility and medications).

Seniors pay 70 percent of their after-tax income for ILBC assisted living units.

You must be eligible for ILBC if you need additional support to continue to live independently.
To determine if you are eligible for ILBC, contact your local health authority (listed under Health Authorities in British Columbia in the Health Services & Medical section, above). A health authority case manager will work with you to find out whether assisted living is the best option for you. For information about Assisted Living, see the Home and Community Care in the Health Services & Medical section, above.

The Website is: www.bchousing.org/programs/independent

Low-income seniors able to live independently without any support services, or with the assistance of home care, may apply to live in affordable housing developments.

There are three types of affordable housing developments:

• Public housing – managed by B.C. Housing
• Non-profit housing – managed by non-profit societies
• Co-op housing – managed by residents

Many affordable housing developments are listed on the Housing registry, a centralized listing and application service maintained by B.C. Housing. The Housing Registry includes public housing and some non-profit and co-op housing providers. Other non-profit and co-op housing providers maintain their own registries.

To apply to developments listed in the Housing Registry, complete and submit an Application for Accommodation form. Application forms and further information on eligibility are available from any B.C. Housing office, or can be downloaded from B.C. Housing’s website.
The Website is: www.bchousing.org/applicants/affordable

To apply to non-profit societies and housing co-op developments that maintain their own registries, contact these groups directly. Contact information for societies and co-ops across the province is available from any B.C. Housing office or can be downloaded from B.C. Housing’s website.
The Website is: www.bchousing.org/applicants/housing_listing

For more information:
Address:
B.C. Housing – The Housing Registry
101 – 4555 Kingsway
Burnaby, B.C. V5H 4V8
The toll-free number: 1-800-257-7756
In Greater Vancouver the number is: 604-433-2218
E-mail: applicantinquiries@bchousing.org
The Website is: www.bchousing.org/applicants/housing_listing

Vancouver Coastal Regional Office:
In Vancouver the number is 604-609-7024

Fraser Regional Office:
In Burnaby the number is 604-525-3033

Vancouver Island Regional Office:
The toll-free number: 1-800-787-2807
In Greater Victoria the number is: 250-475-7550

Interior Regional Office:
The toll-free number: 1-800-834-7149
In Penticton the number is: 250-493-0301

Northern Regional Office:
The toll-free number: 1-800-667-1235
In Prince George the number is: 250-562-9251
In Prince Rupert the number is: 250-627-7501

Information about the Cooperative Housing Federation of B.C.:
The toll-free number: 1-866-879-5111
The Website is: www.chf.bc.ca/pages/contact.asp

This program helps homeowners and landlords pay for minor home adaptations to extend the time that low-income seniors can live in their own homes independently. The maximum assistance available is $3,500 and it is intended to cover adaptations such as handrails, lever handles on doors and bathtub grab bars.

To qualify for HASI, the seniors living in the home must have a household income below a set limit (the threshold varies according to where you live). This assistance is provided in the form of a forgiveable loan that does not need to be repaid, as long as the homeowner continues to occupy the unit for six months.

To obtain full details and an application form, contact your local Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation office listed in the white pages of your telephone book, or contact:
The toll-free number: 1-800-668-2642
The Website is: www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/prfinas/prfinas-004.cfm ,
click on ‘Consumers’ and then click on ‘Programs and Financial Assistance.’

This program provides low-income homeowners with financial assistance for the repair of lower value homes. The money is provided in the form of a forgiveable loan.

Financial assistance is also available for modifications that make homes more accessible for persons with disabilities.

For more information on RRAP, contact your nearest Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation office, listed in the white pages of your telephone book, or contact:
The toll-free number: 1-800-668-2642
The Websites are:
Homeowner RRAP link: www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/prfinas/prfinas_009.cfm
RRAP for Persons with Disabilities link to CMHC website:
www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/prfinas/prfinas_003.cfm

The Residential Tenancy Branch provides information to landlords and tenants about their rights and responsibilities, and their options under the Residential Tenancy Act and the Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Act. The office can provide information to help resolve disputes related to tenancy, such as claims for damages, return of security deposits, rent increases or eviction notices. Where disputes cannot be resolved by the landlord and tenant, you can apply for dispute resolution. The Residential Tenancy Branch also provides information and dispute resolution services for manufactured home park tenancies.

Information about landlord and tenant rights and responsibilities is available on the Residential Tenancy Branch website. To speak to an information officer or listen to 24-hour recorded information on renting in B.C., contact:
The toll-free number: 1-800-665-8779
In Greater Vancouver the number is: 604-660-1020
In Victoria the number is: 250-387-1602
E-mail: housing@seniorshousing.bc.ca
The Website is: www.rto.gov.bc.ca

This non-profit organization provides information on all types of housing options and services for seniors living in or wanting to live in British Columbia’s Lower Mainland area. Housing directory information is available on the program’s website. For more information, contact:
Address:
Seniors’ Services Society
209 – 800 McBride Blvd.
New Westminster, B.C. V3L 2B8
In New Westminster the number is: 604-520-6621
E-mail: housing@seniorshousing.bc.ca
The Website is: www.seniorshousing.bc.ca