The Province of British Columbia created the Community Housing Fund in 2018. This fund develops affordable rental housing for families, independent seniors and individuals.
We are now accepting proposals for the Building BC: Community Housing Fund (CHF). For information go to Community Housing Fund – Request for Proposals (RFP) and Submission.
The Community Housing Fund is a $3.3-billion investment to build more than 20,000 affordable rental homes for people with moderate and low incomes by 2031-32. Approximately 9,000 of these homes are open or underway across the province.
The Community Housing Fund (CHF) has received funds for an additional 6,000 new homes for families and seniors. Over the next four years, the plan is to issue additional CHF proposal calls to allocate funding for the remaining units.
CHF is one of the many, available housing funds available. There is also an Indigenous Housing fund, a Supportive Housing Fund and a Women’s Transitional Housing Fund.
What is happening?
The BC Housing Management Commission put out a Request for Proposals (“RFP”) for the CHF on August 28, 2023. Submissions for these funds are due November 17, 2023.
BC Housing intends to issue another CHF RFP in fiscal 2024/25. Operators / applicants are encouraged to start planning for this round by having conversations with partners, including BC Housing.
Who can apply?
- Non-profit co-operative, and municipal housing providers
- Organizations interested in applying for future proposal calls are encouraged to begin planning early. For more information, please go to www.bchousing.org/projects-partners/Building-BC. or reach out to your local BC Housing representative.
- Private partners are permitted to apply on behalf of non-profit societies, Indigenous groups, co-operative and municipal housing providers
Understanding the rental mix
The CHF investment includes affordable rental housing, but it does not include support services or residential care components. The rental mix must be as follows:
BC Housing manages the Housing Registry which is central database of subsidized housing. It is used by families/individuals applying for units managed by BC Housing and a number of non-profit and co-operative housing providers.
Program Requirement - 30% of Units
Rent Amount - Initial market rent approved by BC Housing and must be maintained at or above the CMHC Average Market Rent
Resident Selection - Operator selects the market tenants (Option to use the Housing Registry.)
Tenant Income Eligibility - Eligible applicants must meet current low-and moderate income limits. For 2023, this means applicants must make between $82,310 to $128,810 to apply
Proof of Eligibility - Proof of income is required at move in only
Program Requirement - 50% of Units
Rent Amount - Varies based on the rent calculation guide Rent Scale
Resident Selection - The operator selects the residents, and applicants must be selected from The Housing Registry
Tenant Income Eligibility - Tenants with an income below the applicable Housing Income Limits (HILs) will be selected from The Housing Registry
Proof of Eligibility - Proof of Income and Assets required annually
Program Requirement - 20% of Units
Rent Amount - Varies based on rent calculation guide Rent Scale
Resident Selection - The operator selects the residents, and applicants must be selected from The Housing Registry
Tenant Income Eligibility - Residents with an income below the Deep Subsidy Income Limits, as established by BC Housing, selected from the Housing Registry
Proof of Eligibility - Proof of Income and Assets required annually