BC Rent Bank

BC is facing a housing crisis, and many renters are one emergency away from missing rent and facing eviction. Evictions are as expensive as they are disruptive, from moving costs to time off work to having to pay higher rent – not to mention when an eviction leads to homelessness. Our new report shows that rent banks in BC have saved renters and government $27.5 million. That’s $5 in savings for every $1 invested! https://lnkd.in/gxtibjpV #BCRentBank #RentBank #Housing #Renters #BritishColumbia

Want to know how rent banks are making an impact in your community, and how you can make a difference too? Tune into the Ending Poverty Together podcast and check out the October 14th episode: How Rent Banks Help in a Housing Crisis. Our very own Melissa Giles, Managing Director of BC Rent Bank, joined host Shelaine Strom to talk about poverty—its causes and solutions, and the beautiful and unique ways people across Canada are helping each other. Learn more about what Canadians are doing about poverty in your neighbourhood and beyond, and explore how ordinary people can create lasting change. In this episode, Melissa tells BC Rent Bank’s origin story, digs into the deeper purpose of rent banks, and explains who is helped by them, and how. Find the episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, or at: https://lnkd.in/g-V7MqrS    [Image Description: The paused audiogram shows a picture of Melissa Giles, BC Rent Bank’s Managing Director in an orange text box against a pale blue background. Next to her is a podcast title: Ending Poverty Together Podcast, and a podcast episode name: Episode 14, How Rent Banks Help in a Housing Crisis.] #BritishColumbia #RentBank #HousingCrisis #EndPoverty

Introducing the Canada-BC Housing Benefit (CBCHB)! This new benefit is a significant step in addressing the housing affordability crisis in our communities. Starting soon, BC Rent Bank will collaborate with BC Housing to deliver this crucial benefit, prioritizing people and households who currently fall outside existing rental assistance programs. There is no application process for recipients, since they will be identified from priority groups, including: - Individuals at risk of homelessness. - Survivors of domestic violence. - Indigenous and racialized communities. - People with disabilities. - Youth transitioning from care. - Large families in need of additional bedrooms. To learn more about this benefit, and what BC Rent Bank is doing to support housing stability, follow the link in our bio - BC Rent Bank. #BritishColumbia #RentBank #Homelessness

Don’t miss BC Rent Bank’s two presentations at BC Non-Profit Housing Association, BC’s Affordable Housing Conference, happening in Vancouver from November 18-20! M38: Partnering to Strengthen Eviction Prevention Supports - Date: November 18 - Time: 3:45-5:00 PM PST This session showcases collaboration among all levels of government to enhance housing support for those facing eviction and homelessness. Representatives from BC Rent Bank, Purpose Society, and municipal leaders will share their unique contributions to this program. T42: Eviction Prevention & Housing Stability: BC Rent Banks - Date: November 19 - Time: 4:00-5:00 PM PST Between 2016-2020, 1 in 5 renters in BC reported an eviction. Drawing on four years of rent bank usage data, this session discusses how rent banks support housing stability and ideas to increase reach and effectiveness in the future. If you’re interested in attending, register for individual days, or the full conference here: https://lnkd.in/g5WqNmsx All sessions require pre-registration, so don’t wait to secure your seat! [Image Description: Yellow text boxes are against a pale blue background with house and tree graphics. Text boxes include conference presentation information. M38: Partnering to Strengthen Eviction Prevention Supports. November 18, 3:45-5:00 PM PST. T42: Eviction Prevention & Housing Stability: BC Rent Banks. November 19, 4:00-5:00 PM PST.] #BritishColumbia #RentBank #HousingCrisis

Homelessness hurts us all! Homelessness negatively impacts not only an individual’s physical and mental health, it also erodes communities, and puts a strain on the economy. And vulnerable people are impacted the most. At BC Rent Bank, we’re committed to addressing this reality to create change. Learn how you, too, can take action by opening up our latest newsletter. Image Description: White text against an orange background. The reality of homelessness needs to change. On the left, a photo of a blonde woman in a sweater looking out a window thoughtfully. BC Rent Bank logo at the bottom right. #BritishColumbia #RentBank #Homelessness

Where can residents of the Thompson-Nicola Regional District find help when facing eviction? Kamloops and District Elizabeth Fry Society. By offering interest-free loans, they support people who are struggling to find or maintain safe and secure housing. The funds can be used to pay overdue rent, next month’s rent, a damage or security deposit, essential utility arrears, or even a pet deposit. The maximum loan amount is $3,500 based on evidence of need and capacity to repay, and the maximum repayment term is 24 months. Learn more about their work in the community here: https://lnkd.in/gM9ADkxN #BritishColumbia #RentBank #HousingCrisis

It’s Homelessness Action Week, and the next move matters. Time and again, we’ve shown that vulnerable people are disproportionately affected by homelessness. This needs to change. The most recent BC Homelessness Count reported 11,352 people experiencing homelessness (that’s about 1 in 500 people). Of these people, 81% were from groups representing just 46% of the province’s population. This year, strengthening support for these population groups is a top priority for BC Rent Bank. We’re hoping to partner with Indigenous-led housing organizations, and lean on existing partners, to improve the inclusivity and accessibility of rent bank services in the province. Read more in our latest blog post about how you can be an advocate this Homelessness Action Week. #BritishColumbia #RentBank #Homelessness https://lnkd.in/gJrvv825

Are you prepared to vote? The provincial election is scheduled for October 19, and the next BC Government could take a bold stand on housing as a human right. As we get ready to vote, let’s consider the power imbalance between renters and homeowners. Renters continuously face the risk of eviction, and of renters accessing rent banks in BC, the majority report a household income of less than $40,000. This means that low-income renters are too often being forced out of their neighbourhoods or into shelters because vacancy rates are so low. Not only that, it’s a lot harder to get out and vote when you’re focused on figuring out where the next bill payment is coming from. This needs to change.  Housing is a human right. Housing represents the right to security, peace, and dignity. Please stand with us. Urge the BC Government to adopt housing as a human right in the upcoming provincial legislation by signing our letter to BC Party leaders today. Learn more about what we’re calling on the BC Government to do. https://lnkd.in/gy-VkPt3 #BritishColumbia #RentBank #HousingCrisis #VotingMatters

BC Rent Bank and BC Hydro have teamed up to help BC renters! We’ve launched a pilot project aimed at providing support to renters who’ve recently faced a financial crisis due to difficult life events. We’ve already connected renters to $1,900 in financial support! The Customer Crisis Grant is for BC Hydro customers who have experienced a temporary financial crisis and can’t afford to pay their utility bill. By acting as authorized representatives, we can process and approve applications directly, relieving renters of the burden of a loan. This partnership also means we can get financial support to renters as quickly as possible. Maximum grants available are $800 for electrically heated homes and $700 for non-electrically heated homes. Learn more about our ongoing projects and programs.  https://lnkd.in/gDazyX4N #BritishColumbia #RentBank #HousingCrisis

For many BC renters, moving homes is just not an option. Eviction poses a threat to renters across income levels, and disproportionately impacts Indigenous people, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and women. Whether an eviction is technically “no-fault” or “at-fault,” thanks to sinking vacancy rates and soaring rental rates, finding another stable living situation might not be an option for renters. Read more about how eviction is impacting BC renters in our LinkedIn newsletter, and how rent banks are there to provide support. Image Description: Eviction forces renters to leave behind community. The reality of homelessness needs to change. An image of two people hugging sadly. #BritishColumbia #RentBank #Homelessness