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Media Contacts

Media Relations

Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
778 698-9176

Rajvir Rao

BC Housing
604 456-8917

Backgrounders

Province building new homes to meet the full spectrum of housing needs

The B.C. government is working in partnership to build affordable homes that cover the full spectrum of housing needs for British Columbians.

Thousands of homes are being created for a range of people that are struggling to find a place to live, from people who are experiencing homelessness and seniors on fixed incomes, to middle-income families and individuals. This includes:

  • Low-income or shelter-rate housing, where residents are charged a monthly rate of $375, which is the social assistance shelter allowance provided by the Province. Homes at this rental rate are being built through the Rapid Response to Homelessness program and the Supportive Housing Fund. In addition, 20% of homes in buildings built under the Community Housing Fund are rented at this rate, or at rent geared to income (set at 30% of income), for households earning up to $30,000, depending on unit size.
  • Affordable rental housing for people with low to moderate incomes, including seniors, people with disabilities and families. Residents pay rent geared to income, which means they pay approximately 30% of their gross household income. These are sometimes referred to as household income limit rates. Housing income limits represent the income needed to pay the average market rent in a specific community and varies depending on the unit size. For example, this would be approximately $58,000 for a two-bedroom unit in Vancouver and approximately $37,000 for a two-bedroom unit in Smithers. Homes at this rental rate are being built through the Indigenous Housing Fund and include some rental buildings in the Women’s Transition Housing Fund. As well, 50% of homes in buildings built through the Community Housing Fund are rented at this rate.
  • Below-market and market-rate rental housing are for people with moderate to middle incomes, where units are rented at or below market rates. These homes are intended to increase the supply of rental housing for households with annual incomes between $50,000 and $150,000, depending on the community. Homes at this rental rate are being built through the HousingHub, which leverages low-cost financing and partnerships with land owners, private and non-profit developers, local governments and First Nations to provide housing with no public subsidy required. As well, 30% of homes in buildings built through the Community Housing Fund are rented at this rate for households earning up to $71,200 for homes with less than two bedrooms, or up to $104,000 for homes with two or more bedrooms.
  • Homeownership units for households with middle incomes: the HousingHub is working, through innovative partnerships, to create homeownership options for individuals and families throughout the province.