This section corresponds to the application form. Please fill out the application form and provide the following supporting documentation. Please note: You must have a gross household income of $35,000 or less and some of your gross income must come from employment or self-employment.

IMPORTANT NOTE: To be considered for Rental Assistance, income information from your Canadian Income Tax Return for yourself and your spouse (if applicable) is required.

How do I submit my income tax information?
What if I reported self employment income on my Income Tax Return?
Why should I provide consent for Canada Revenue Agency to release income tax records to BC Housing?
What information will BC Housing receive from Canada Revenue Agency if I provide consent?
What if I can't find my Notice of Assessment or Income Tax Return?
What if I have Income Assistance on my Income Tax Return or have received Income Assistance since that time?
What if my income was over $35,000 on my tax return, but I am currently unemployed or on maternity leave?
What if my Income Tax Return did NOT include any employment income?

How do I submit my income tax information?

There are two ways that you can provide your tax information:

Option #1: Provide consent for Canada Revenue Agency to release to BC Housing information from your tax records. Consent can be provided by completing this form.

Option #2: Provide copies of BOTH last year’s Income Tax Return (include all pages) AND Notice of Assessment (T451).

An Income Tax Return is an official document on which one is required to list income amounts, deductions, contributions and related financial information for tax reasons.
A Notice of Assessment acts as proof of Canada Revenue Agencies’ confirmation of the given year’s income.

What if I reported self employment income on my Income Tax Return?

If your household income from last year included income from self employment, in addition to your tax records, please provide a copy of the Statement of Income and Expenses from last year’s Income Tax return.

Why should I provide consent for Canada Revenue Agency to release income tax records to BC Housing?

To be considered for Rental Assistance, income information from your Canadian Income Tax Return for yourself and your spouse (if applicable) is required. By providing consent for Canada Revenue Agency to release income tax records, BC Housing will receive only those income tax return line items that are required to determine eligibility.

If you do not wish to provide consent you will be responsible for providing BC Housing with copies of BOTH last year’s Income Tax Return (include all pages) AND Notice of Assessment (T451). If incorrect or incomplete documentation is submitted there will be will be delays in processing.

What information will BC Housing receive from Canada Revenue Agency if I provide consent?

The information received from Canada Revenue Agency is limited to those income tax return line items that are required to determine eligibility. To see the information that would be provided by Canada Revenue Agency once consent is provided click here.

What if I can't find my Notice of Assessment or Income Tax Return?

If you are not able to find your Income Tax Return or Notice of Assessment you can either:

provide consent for Canada Revenue Agency to release the information directly to BC Housing by completing this form;
contact Canada Revenue Agency, at 1-800-959-8281 or 1-800-959-2221 and request that they send you a Detailed Notice of Assessment or “Option C” print out.

NOTE: Your “Option C” document will provide you with a summary of your Income Tax Return and your Notice of Assessment.

What if I have Income Assistance on my Income Tax Return or have received Income Assistance since that time?

Those receiving Income Assistance are not eligible for the Rental Assistance Program until their Income Assistance has ended and their Income Assistance file is closed.

Existing Rental Assistance Program recipients who begin to receive Income Assistance, whether for themselves or spouse, must contact BC Housing within the same month to avoid an overpayment.
If you are a new applicant to the Rental Assistance Program who received Income Assistance in the past 18 months, or who reported Income Assistance on your tax return, BC Housing will require confirmation from the Ministry of Social Development to confirm the date that your Income Assistance file was closed. In addition, please provide proof of CURRENT gross monthly income, from all sources:
- last three consecutive cheque stubs,
- letter from employer; or
- other income statement

Click below for more information on frequently asked questions about Income Assistance.

What if my income was over $35,000 on my tax return, but I am currently unemployed or on maternity leave?

If your household income exceeded $35,000 last year, but you are now unemployed and collecting Employment Insurance (EI) or maternity payments, in addition to your tax records, please provide of one of the following:

Copy of your most recent EI paystub detailing your gross weekly benefit entitlement
Letter from Employment Insurance stating the gross amount of your EI entitlement

What if my Income Tax Return did NOT include any employment income?

If you or your spouse (if applicable) are newly working, in addition to your tax records, please provide one of the following:

Minimum three most recent consecutive pay stubs (must show gross pay and deductions)
Letter from employer stating your monthly or annual gross salary