Emergency Social Services

This section provides information on BC Housing's role in a provincially-declared emergency. BC Housing provides support to the  Provincial Emergency Program (PEP) through the Emergency Social Services (ESS) program. PEP is the government agency responsible for responding to emergencies within British Columbia.

The following are specific ways in which BC Housing assists local authorities and provides support to the ESS program:

Preparing for a disaster
BC Housing is continually coordinating emergency lodging supplies. Cots and blankets have been stockpiled throughout the province so that group lodging facilities can be established in existing community buildings. For more information on emergency lodging supplies click here .

BC Housing also assists local authorities in preparing for emergencies or major disasters by offering courses through the Rapid Damage Assessment Program .

Responding to a disaster
When a major disaster strikes leaving large numbers of British Columbians homeless, BC Housing provides the following support to the ESS program:

Recovery: long-term housing
BC Housing will also assist displaced people, who may qualify for subsidized housing, through distribution and quick processing of housing applications. This does not mean priority over those already waiting for subsidized housing, but is instead a way to help people get started on finding a long-term housing solution. For more information on the application process click here , or contact The Housing Registry at 604-433-2218 in the lower mainland or 1-800-257-7756 outside of the lower mainland.

Rapid Damage Assessment Program
BC Housing’s Rapid Damage Assessment Program trains community members and Emergency Social Services personnel in safe and effective damage assessment following a disaster such as a flood or an earthquake. BC Housing also offers a Train-the-Trainer course designed to enable individuals to instruct Rapid Damage Assessment for Neighborhood Preparedness Programs.