British Columbians will benefit from a wide range of arts, cultural and sports programs for people of all ages with more than $45 million distributed to local organizations this year through provincial Community Gaming Grants.

School groups throughout the province are receiving funding to ensure extracurricular activities will be available when students can safely participate, thanks to more than $11 million in Community Gaming Grants.

The Province is accepting applications from local governments, Indigenous communities and not-for-profit organizations for nearly $136 million in infrastructure grants to help communities develop resilience in response to COVID-19.

Effective immediately, the Province is extending the freeze on rent increases until July 10, 2021, under the powers of the Emergency Program Act and COVID-19 Related Measures Act.

The Province, through BC Housing, is working with the City of Nanaimo to open British Columbia’s second navigation centre to provide accommodation and supports for people experiencing long-term homelessness.

The Province, through BC Housing, and Turning Points Collaborative Society, is working on a proposed development to build up to 52 new homes with supports for people experiencing homelessness.

The Province has purchased a property at 1176 Yates St. to provide more permanent supportive homes for people experiencing homelessness in Victoria.

British Columbia’s maximum annual allowable rent increase for 2021 is set at 1.4%, which is less than half of what it would have been prior to changes made by the Province in 2018.

The Province, through BC Housing, has purchased property in Victoria to build up to 50 new permanent homes with around-the-clock supports for people in the community experiencing homelessness.