How is the Rental Assistance calculated?

The Rental Assistance Program reimburses part of the difference between a set percentage of your total income and your rent. The program has a sliding scale that gives the most money to people with the least income. The amount of assistance is calculated taking into account your household size, income, rent, and where you live, and is subject to the maximum benefit.

Maximum rental levels
Maximum benefit levels
Rental Assistance Program calculator

Maximum Rent Levels - Effective April 2008
Regardless of actual amount of rent paid, the Rental Assistance Program will only be calculated based on amounts up to maximum rent levels. The maximum rent levels are as follows:

	Metro Vancouver	Other areas of B.C.
Family of 3 or less	$975	$900
Family of 4 or more	$1100	$940

Click here to find out what municipalities are included in the Metro Vancouver Regional District (MVRD).

Maximum Benefit Levels
Under the Rental Assistance Program, the maximum benefit is the most rental assistance a household can receive.

	Metro Vancouver	Other areas of B.C.
Family of 3 or less	$653	$585
Family of 4 or more	$765	$621

Rental Assistance Program Calculator
To assist lower-income, working families in estimating their Rental Assistance subsidy, BC Housing provides the Rental Assistance Program calculator. This calculator provides an estimated subsidy only. The actual subsidy that a family may be eligible to receive will be confirmed once the family's application form has been processed by BC Housing staff.

The Rental Assistance Program calculator is a Microsoft Excel document. Users must have Microsoft Excel to be able to use the calculator. Click below to open up the calculator:

Rental Assistance Program calculator (updated for April 2008.)

For more information:

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