When will I receive an offer for subsidized housing?
The demand for subsidized housing far exceeds the available supply. As a result, it is not possible to predict when a unit may come available. Wait times depend on the number of unit turnovers and the needs of other households applying for housing. To increase your chances of obtaining a unit, select a range of developments with The Housing Registry and apply directly to developments that are not part of the registry.

Housing Needs Categories
BC Housing places applicants into one of five categories, with priority based on the urgency of their housing need . Learn more.

Keep your application up to date
Now that you've completed the application process, you must keep your application up to date. To make sure your application stays active, try to update your application:

Once every six months
Whenever any of your information changes

Please provide day and evening phone numbers, or the phone number of a contact person, so housing providers can contact you if a unit becomes available.

If BC Housing does not hear from an applicant for over six months, his or her application will be put on hold and a card requesting an update will be mailed to the last known address. If there is no response or the card is returned, the application will be cancelled and the applicant may need to complete a new application in order to be considered for housing in the future.

To update your application:

By phone: Call The Housing Registry Inquiry Line at 604-433-2218, or 1-800-257-7756 outside the Lower Mainland.
By fax: Fax a letter with your name, file number, previous information, and new information to The Housing Registry at 604-439-4729.
By mail or : Mail a letter with your name, file number, previous information, and new information to The Housing Registry at:

BC Housing Home Office
101 – 4555 Kingsway
Burnaby, BC V5H 4V8
Office hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

In person: Letters can also be dropped off at your local BC Housing office. Please note: If you are in the Lower Mainland, please drop off your letter at the BC Housing Home Office address listed above. Do NOT drop off applications at Fraser Region or Vancouver Coastal Region offices.

Additional Programs

The following programs may also be available to you:

Rental Assistance Program: Cash assistance to help with monthly rent payments in private market rental units for those individuals who have a gross household income of $35,000 or less, have at least one dependent child, and have been employed at some point over the last year

Shelter Aid For Elderly Renters: Cash assistance to help with monthly payments in private market rental units for seniors 60+ who pay more than 30% of gross monthly income towards rent, meet citizenship requirements and have lived in BC for the full 12 months preceding application

Women’s Transition Housing & Supports: Emotional support and crisis intervention; safe, temporary shelter with 24/7 staffing; help in accessing housing, financial, medical and legal assistance for women (with or without dependent children.)

Supportive Housing Registration Service offers long-term low-barrier supportive housing for homeless or homeless-at-risk who require support services to achieve successful tenancies and need safe, affordable housing