Rapid Response to Homelessness
Find a shelter space »
Home/Research Centre/Housing Data/ Community Profiles

Community Profiles

Through a range of housing options, programs and services, BC Housing provides housing assistance to more than 290 communities across B.C.

BC Housing works closely with non-profit housing providers, community organizations, local governments, Health Authorities and First Nations to plan and deliver housing and support services tailored to each community’s specific needs.

2016/2017 Investments

Total investment in 290 communities in 2016/17: $1.14 billion

Subsidized Housing

Subsidized housing includes shelter spaces, housing units rent supplement programs, and mortgage assistance. Total housing units as of March 31, 2017: 105,140.

Service Allocation Provincial Totals
Emergency Shelter and Housing for the Homeless
Includes: homeless housed (8,952), homeless rent supplements (3,348), and homeless shelters (1,978)
  14,278
Transitional Supported and Assisted Living
Includes: frail seniors (11,222), special needs (5,919), and women and children fleeing violence (838)
 17,979
Independent Social Housing
Includes: low-income families (20,264) and low-income seniors (20,786)
 41,050
Rent Assistance in Private Market
Includes: rent assist families (9,999) and rent assist seniors (21,630)
 31,629
Homeownership (BC HOME Partnership) 204

Housing in development or under construction

As of March 31, 2017, more than an additional 6,720 housing units were are in development or under construction in B.C.

Selected Community Profiles

The community profiles in the map below provide snapshots of how B.C. is supporting low- to moderate-income individuals, senior and family households, in 46 communities throughout the province. All numbers are as of March 31, 2017.

 
Notes:
  1. BC Housing only tracks units where we have a financial relationship.  There may be other subsidized housing units in the community.
  2. BC Housing’s Housing Continuum reports are based on ‘units’ (housing units, beds, spaces and rent supplements, depending on each program) and do not report on the number of people assisted.
  3. Service Allocation definitions:
    1. Homeless Sheltered: Short stay housing. The shelters provide single or shared bedrooms or dorm-like sleeping arrangements, with varying levels of support services provided for the clients.
    2. Homeless Housed: Housing for clients who are at the risk of homelessness, or formerly homeless for a period of at least 30 days and up to two or three years. This type of  housing includes the provision of on- or off-site support services to help the clients move towards independence and self-sufficiency. 
    3. Homeless Rent Supplement: This program connects people who are homeless to housing, income assistance, and community-based support services. The number of  units shown represent an estimate of rent supplements given monthly based on available funding. Homeless Rent Supplement projects were first initiated in the 2008/2009 fiscal year.
    4. Homeless Prevention Program (HPP): The number of HPP/Homeless Rent Supplements (‘units’) identified herein does not reflect the number of ‘people’ assisted through the program. It is an accurate representation of the number of rent supplements allocated to a service provider, but as not all clients require the maximum amount possible, the program allows service providers the flexibility to assist more ‘people’ than ‘rent supplements’ allocated.
    5. Frail Seniors: Housing for seniors who need access to housing with on-going supports and services. Frail seniors are those who cannot live independently.
    6. Special Needs: Housing for clients who need access to affordable housing with support services. These clients include adults with mental and/or physical disabilities or youth. 
    7. Independent Seniors: Housing for seniors where minimal or no additional services are provided. Seniors are usually defined as individuals who are 65 years of age and older. 
    8. Low-Income Families: Independent housing for low- to moderate-income households with a minimum of two people including at least one dependent child.
    9. Rent Assistance Seniors: Housing subsidy to help make private market rents affordable for BC seniors with low- to moderate-incomes. Housing under this category include the Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER) program as well as other rent supplement units in the private market targeted towards seniors.
    10. Rent Assistance Family: Housing subsidy to  provide eligible low-income families with cash assistance to help with their monthly rent payments in the private market. Housing under this category include the Rental Assistance Program as well as other rent supplement units in the private market targeted towards families.
    11. Women and Children Fleeing Violence: BC Housing provides funding for transition houses, safe homes and second stage housing programs that support women and their children who have experienced violence or at risk of experiencing violence. Temporary shelter/housing and support services are provided.
  4. The Rental Assistance Program provides eligible low-income, working families with cash assistance to help with their monthly rent payments in the private market.
  5. The Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER) program helps make rents affordable for BC seniors with low- to moderate-incomes. SAFER provides monthly cash payments to subsidize rents for eligible BC residents who are age 60 or over and who pay rent for their homes.
  6. The BC HOME Partnership results are the number of mortgage loans approved and funded by March 31, 2017.  Additional applications may be approved, but yet to be finalized.