Priority Placement Program

This program gives women fleeing violence or at risk of violence priority access to BC Housing’s directly-managed housing units.

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About the program

The Priority Placement Program helps women in British Columbia who have experienced violence or are at risk of violence. The program gives them priority access to BC Housing’s directly-managed units — social housing units that BC Housing manages day-to-day.

For women who are accepted into the program and live in Metro Vancouver, a priority placement 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 Priority Placement coordinator will support your transition into new housing.

Eligibility

To be eligible for priority placement:

  • You are a woman who is fleeing violence or at risk of violence. This includes:
    • Women of any age;
    • Women with or without dependent children; and
    • Indigenous women living off-reserve or on-reserve.
  • A service provider who knows your situation can verify your information. 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.
  • You fulfil the eligibility requirements for subsidized housing, including residency, income and assets.

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 by mail or fax to:

    The Housing Registry
    101–4555 Kingsway, Burnaby  V5H 4V8

    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.

After you apply

You must contact BC Housing to update your application every six months. This tells BC Housing staff that you are still waiting for housing. If we don’t hear from you, we will put your application on hold until you update your file.

Update your application in one of three ways:

  1. In person: Bring your application package to a BC Housing office.
  2. By mail: Write a letter with your name, file number and any new information to: Housing Registry, BC Housing, 101-4555 Kingsway, Burnaby, BC, V5H 4V8
  3. By fax: 604-439-4729 

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