Domestic Violence Support Program (DVSP)

About the program

The Domestic Violence Support Program helps people in British Columbia who have experienced or are at risk of Intimate Partner Violence. The program supports applicants transitioning into BC Housing’s directly-managed units.

For people who are accepted into the program and live in Metro Vancouver, a Domestic Violence Coordinator will meet with you to determine the most suitable housing options for your needs. If a BC Housing directly managed unit can meet your needs, the Domestic Violence Coordinator will support your transition into new housing.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Domestic Violence Support Program:

• You are a survivor of Domestic Violence who may be at risk of future violence. This includes:
  • Adults (19+) with or without dependent children; and
  • Indigenous people living off-reserve or on-reserve.
• You fulfil the eligibility requirements for subsidized housing, including residency, income and assets.
• A service provider who knows your situation can verify your information on the Supplemental Application Form. Suitable service providers include:
  • Staff from safe homes, transition houses or second stage housing;
  • Staff from domestic violence units or Victim Services;
  • Social workers, case managers or counsellors;
  • Ministry of Children and Family Development workers; and
  • Doctors, nurses or other professionals in a similar field. 

How to apply

1. Download a Housing Registry Supplemental Application Form You can also get the form:

• In person: at any BC Housing office in B.C.
• By mail:
  • Call 604-433-2218 in Metro Vancouver or 1-800-257-7756 toll-free to have the form mailed to you.
  • Complete the online request form to have the Supplemental Application form mailed to you.

Important: Provide an address that is safe for you.

2. Complete and submit the form

• Ask your third-party verifier to complete the form. You also can ask a service provider to assist you with your application and act as your third-party verifier.
• Your third-party verifier must be familiar with your current housing circumstance and/or health situation and housing needs.
• Either you or your third-party verifier can submit the form in one of the following ways:
• Scan and Upload: using our Program Upload Form
• In person: Bring your application package to the nearest BC Housing office
• By mail: The Housing Registry, BC Housing, 101-4555 Kingsway, Burnaby, BC V5H 4V8

• By fax: 604-439-4729

If your application is missing information or supporting documents, BC Housing staff will contact you to explain what is missing and provide time for you to submit the missing information.

Keep Your Application Up to Date and Active

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; this includes:
  • You change your phone number, email address or mailing address
  • Your rent or income increases or decreases
  • Your health or relationship status changes
  • Your household size 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, their 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. 8:30 am to 4:30 pm PST, Monday to Friday (excluding holidays).
• 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: 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.
• In person: Letters can also be dropped off at your local BC Housing office.

Note: Be aware that you put your priority status at risk if you return to a relationship. However, you can regain priority if you leave the relationship.

Entering the program

The Domestic Violence Coordinator will assist with the applicant’s housing selection and provide support with any domestic violence-related concerns or challenges that may arise during your tenancy in Directly Managed Housing.

This includes but is not limited to: 

• Safety Planning for a household experiencing Domestic Violence/ Abuse;
• Transfer application assistance; 
• Referrals to support agencies (including but not limited to: counselling, Crime Victim Assistance Program, legal services, family services, crisis resources, transition homes).

*** Please note that this program was previously known as the Priority Placement Program; however, its name was updated in July of 2026 to better reflect the population it serves.