More Rent Assistance for Seniors (Dec 2005 – Jan 2006)

Today’s seniors are living longer, healthier and more independently. Seniors make up 14 per cent of BC’s population, and that number is expected to increase to 23 per cent by 2013. In response to this ongoing growth, the provincial government has doubled its Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER) funding to help more BC seniors meet the cost of market rents. SAFER provides direct cash assistance to BC residents aged 60 and over with low to moderate incomes who pay more than 30 per cent of their gross income on rent. This is the first funding increase to the SAFER budget since 1990, with $16.6 million in total funding this year, and $34.1 million in 2006/07.

The province-wide rent ceilings for SAFER were increased on October 1, 2005, with separate, higher ceilings in Greater Vancouver. As well, seniors who pay substantive ‘pad rental fees’ in owner-occupied manufactured homes are now eligible for SAFER benefits.

SAFER applicants must have resided in BC for a full 12 months prior to their application, and lived in Canada for at least 10 continuous years as an adult. Anyone who receives provincial income assistance, excluding the Medical Services Plan, is ineligible for SAFER benefits, as are individuals who live in subsidized housing, co-operative housing, or residential care facilities funded by the Ministry of Health.

For new applicants, information and application forms are available from BC Housing at 604-433-2218 in the Lower Mainland, 1-800-257-7756 province-wide, or online at www.bchousing.org.