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- BC Housing manages the Housing Registry, a central database of subsidized housing, used by families/individuals applying for units managed by BC Housing and a number of non-profit and co-operative housing providers.
- Of the more than 800 housing partners that BC Housing works with, approximately 110 of them are members of the Housing Registry. Membership to the registry is not mandatory and non-members manage their own lists.
- There may also be privately operated subsidized housing options within a community that operate independently of BC Housing. Therefore, the Housing Registry is not the only avenue for applicants to apply for housing.
- The registry is not a waitlist. When someone applies to the registry, they are offered housing based on need.
- When a unit becomes available, a number of variables are considered. For instance:
- Women who have left a violent relationship receive priority placement
- Health concerns may necessitate a specific type of unit to address the individual’s needs
- Stability of current accommodation – for example, a family living in shared accommodations or a family of four in a cramped apartment
- A number of considerations affect the time an applicant is on the registry :
- An applicant may have requested a specific property but an appropriate unit may not be available (i.e. unit doesn’t match the family composition)
- An applicant’s contact details may change and they have not kept their file up to date and they cannot be contacted when a unit is available
- An applicant may refuse a unit due to personal preferences (e.g. access to work, pet policy, proximity to transit/community/health services, etc.) and remain on the Housing Registry
- An applicant could have a change of circumstance and require a different type of housing than what they initially requested (e.g. mobility issues that now require a building with an elevator, adaptable/accessible unit, etc.)
- The needs of other applicants on the Housing Registry when a unit becomes available
- Families and seniors on the registry may also qualify for rental assistance through:
- The Rental Assistance Program: www.bchousing.org/Options/Rental_market/RAP
- Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters: www.bchousing.org/Options/Rental_market/SAFER
- The Homeless Prevention Program: http://www.bchousing.org/Initiatives/Access/HPP
- Additional information about applying for the Housing Registry is available at: www.bchousing.org/Find/FAQ/Housing
Media Contacts
Ally Skinner-Reynolds
BC Housing604 456-8895
https://news.gov.bc.ca/14806
