Grace* knows her neighbourhood well. For the past 40-odd years, she has lived in the same suite in a low-rise building on a quiet street in Vancouver. She’s close to shopping and transit, which makes it easy to get around. And, as a long-term tenant, her rent is kept at a reasonable amount. At age 69, Grace says she is not a struggling senior, but she still has to watch her budget carefully and is even thinking of looking for part-time work.

“With inflation, everything is getting to be more expensive and I’m having to withdraw money from my savings to meet my expenses,” she said.

That’s why Grace is grateful for the extra financial assistance she receives from the provincial government’s Shelter Aid For Elderly Renters (SAFER) program that helps make rents affordable for B.C. seniors with low to moderate incomes. SAFER provides monthly cash payments for eligible seniors age 60 or over who pay rent for their homes.

Grace worked at various jobs including 18 years as a legal secretary. “The law firm started a company pension plan the last few years I was there, so I did get a lump sum from there and I also have an RRSP as well as CPP and Old Age Security benefits. SAFER helps because you only have so much money to go around. Rents go up every year, so it certainly makes a difference.”

*The client’s name has been changed to protect her privacy.