ILBC will create more than 4,000 assisted living apartments across B.C. Each health authority was allocated a certain portion of the more than 4,000 assisted living apartments based on regional need. The assisted living developments are awarded to non-profit or private housing providers through a competitive process.

Depending on the need, BC Housing, in partnership with the health authorities, issues proposal calls based on a region, community or a specific site. Proposals are generally evaluated based on quality, value for money, and ability to complete the development on schedule.

Click this link to find out more information about current calls for proposals.

The type of support provided by BC Housing varies depending on whether the successful housing provider is a non-profit society or a private assisted living operator. Assisted living developments under the ILBC program can be new buildings, renovations of existing buildings, or rent supplements in the private market.

Non-profit society

Non-profit societies partner with BC Housing and the regional health authority to provide affordable assisted living developments for seniors and persons with disabilities in local communities around B.C.

BC Housing supports non-profit societies that have been allocated an ILBC assisted living development by providing them with the following services:

Forgivable loan
Financing for the remainder of the capital cost
Operating subsidies for 35 years to bridge the gap between actual costs and tenant rent contributions.

The partnership between BC Housing and the non-profit society for ILBC developments is governed by a 35 year operating agreement. Since BC Housing acts as a lender for non-profit societies, they are expected to adhere to the ILBC design and construction standards .

The Government of Canada, through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, also provides capital funding for ILBC developments managed by non-profit societies through the Canada-BC Affordable Housing Agreement.

Private Assisted Living Operators

Like non-profit societies, private assisted living operators partner with BC Housing and the regional health authority to offer assisted living developments for seniors and persons with disabilities. Private assisted living operators, however, are responsible for providing their own market studies and financing for assisted living developments.

BC Housing provides rent supplements to support private assisted living operators in bridging the gap between the tenant rent and the development operating costs. BC Housing and the regional health authority enter into a five to ten year agreement with each private assisted living operator funded under the ILBC program.

Any design and construction criteria for assisted living developments for private operators is included in the call document sent out during the call for proposals. Since BC Housing is not the lender for private operators, they are not expected to follow the ILBC design and construction guidelines.

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