BC Housing is the government agency that develops, manages and administers a wide range of subsidized housing across the province.

Rental Assistance Program
Web site: www.bchousing.org/programs/RAP
This program will provide direct cash assistance to eligible low-income working families with at least 1 dependent child and a household income less than $35,000 per year. Assistance is paid directly to eligible households to assist these families with monthly rent payments in the private market.

Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER)
Web site: www.bchousing.org/programs/SAFER
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.

Subsidized Housing
Web site: www.bchousing.org/applicants/affordable
Affordable housing is available for people with low to moderate incomes, including seniors, the mentally or physically disabled, and low income families. Subsidized housing includes public housing managed by BC Housing and buildings operated by non-profit societies and housing co-operatives. For more information on eligibility, applications, and the different types of subsidized housing available, visit the website, www.bchousing.org

Tenant Services
Web site: www.bchousing.org/tenants/services
Services include a gardening program, post secondary education grants, a Student Tenant Employment Program, Tenant Activity Grants for special events in the community, and health services. Also provides a Tenant Handbook for information on your rights and responsibilities as a tenant.

The Housing Registry
Web site: www.bchousing.org/providers/registry
The Housing Registry is a centralized database for housing providers that contains current applicant information. Housing providers can use this information to find tenants when housing units become available. The Housing Registry helps individuals and families find affordable housing in BC. Download the form on the website or pick one up from the office. BC Housing can help you complete the form.

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) is Canada's national housing agency. They are committed to helping Canadians access a wide choice of quality, affordable homes, while making vibrant, healthy communities and cities a reality across the country. CMHC works to enhance Canada's housing finance options, assist Canadians who cannot afford housing in the private market, improve building standards and housing construction, and provide policymakers with the information and analysis they need to sustain a vibrant housing market in Canada.

Aboriginal Housing
Web site: www.cmhc.ca/en/ab/
CMHC offers programs in partnership with First Nations and others to meet the housing needs of Aboriginal Canadians on and off reserve.

Grants and Awards
Web site: www.cmhc.ca/en/inpr/graw/index.cfm
CMHC provides grants and sponsors partnerships to encourage research and initiatives that offer solutions to the housing needs of Canadians.

Home Adaptations for Seniors' Independence (HASI)
Web site: www.cmhc.ca/en/ab/noho/noho_006.cfm
Assists qualified home owners and landlords in paying for minor home modifications which make it possible for low-income seniors to continue to live at home independently. Visit the website for more information.

Homeowner Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program - Homeowner RRAP
Web site: www.cmhc.ca/en/co/prfinas/prfinas_001.cfm
Assists low-income households who own and live in substandard housing to repair their homes to a minimum level of health and safety.

Rental Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program - Rental RRAP
Web site: www.cmhc.ca/en/co/prfinas/prfinas_008.cfm
Offers financial assistance to landlords of affordable housing to pay for mandatory repairs to self-contained units occupied by low-income tenants.

Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program for Persons with Disabilities (RRAP-Disabilities)
Web site: www.cmhc.ca/en/co/prfinas/prfinas_003.cfm
Offers financial assistance to homeowners and landlords so they can modify the home or unit for a low-income person with a disability.

Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Programs (RRAP)
RRAP help renovate rooming houses and rental units to create more housing for those in need. Provides financial assistance for converting commercial or industrial buildings into affordable housing. There are also RRAP available for specific needs.

Shelter Enhancement Program (SEP)
Web site: www.cmhc.ca/en/co/prfinas/prfinas_011.cfm
Offers assistance to repair, rehabilitate and improve existing shelters for women and their children, youth and men who are victims of family violence.

CHIMO Crisis Services is a non-profit organization specializing in community development and social services related to the natural crises that happen in everyday lives of individuals, families and neighbourhoods. Provides crisis intervention, counselling, community education and development, and support.

Nova Transition House
Phone:  604-270-4900
Provides safe shelter, information, emotional support, practical assistance, education and advocacy for women and their children who are fleeing violence at home. The client hotline number is 604-270-4911.

A non-profit, charitable organization serving the disadvantaged and those in crisis in the Lower Mainland. The board of directors, staff and counselling volunteers are representative of various Christian denominations and community churches.

Burnaby Safe House
Web site: www.safeshelter.ca
Phone:  778-886-7001
Second-stage accommodation for vulnerable pregnant women, and for battered or abused women and their children.

Crisis Pregnancy Centre
101-5701 Granville St
Vancouver,  BC   V6M 4J7   (Map)
Web site: www.optionscentre.ca
E-mail: vancouver@optionscentre.ca
Provides practical help and encouragement to those in distress as a result of an unplanned or problem pregnancy. There are two offices - one in Burnaby (address above) and one in Vancouver (address on right).

Post Abortion Community Services
Web site: www.pacscanada.org
E-mail: pacscanada@telus.net
Support groups and individual counselling are provided, free of charge, to those grieving from a past abortion.

Rape Victims Support Network
Web site: www.assaultcare.ca
Phone:  778-886-7001
E-mail: info@assaultcare.ca
Provides counselling services and practical help to those victimized by sexual assault.

Carries out Richmond's emergency programs, archives, garbage and recycling programs, compost demonstration garden, leisure services, special needs services, and economic development programs.

Real Estate Services
Web site: www.richmond.ca/cityhall/departments/busfin/land.htm
Phone:  604-276-4212
Fax:  604-276-4162
E-mail: robert.kates@richmond.ca
The Real Estate Services Division is responsible for handling the acquisition and disposition of real property for the City, as required for parks, trails, roads, dyking, affordable housing and other community projects. The division negotiates rights of way required for various purposes, as well as provides information and advice on all these matters to staff, other agencies, and the public.

A co-operative association whose members are housing co-ops and related organizations in BC. Visit their website or call their office for a list of housing co-ops that are currently accepting applications. To apply to live in co-op housing, apply directly to the individual housing co-op(s) that interests you.

Co-op Housing Disability Trust
E-mail: miversen@chf.bc.ca
People with permanent disabilities can apply for an interest-free loan to help pay the shares when they join a housing co-op. See http://www.chf.bc.ca/pages/chfbc3.asp.

Domestic Violence Relief Fund
E-mail: miversen@chf.bc.ca
Women leaving abusive relationships can apply for an interest-free loan to help pay the shares when they join a housing co-op. See www.chf.bc.ca/pages/chfbc3.asp

A private intermediate care home, providing daily care and supervision by health care professionals. There are 107 assisted living apartments, which can be private-pay or subsidized (the latter must go through Richmond Health Services Continuing Health 604-278-3361). There are also 31 private rooms that offer 24-hour assistance - these are 100% private pay and can be applied for directly to the care home. One guest/respite suite is available for up to three months (private-pay or subsidized) in assisted living.

The Developmental Disabilities Association is a community living agency that provides over 50 community-based programs and services to children, adults and their families with developmental disabilities in Vancouver and Richmond. Their Mission is to enable people with developmental disabilities to achieve their full potential.

Adult Residential Services
Phone:  604-273-9778
E-mail: dwhite@develop.bc.ca
Offers group homes, supported living and a community apartment program. Please contact 604-273-9778 for group home information, 604-233-5486 for supported living and 604-233-5450 for the community apartment program.

Works with women and youth involved with the Criminal and Social justice systems. Provides housing, support and lay counselling for women, children and youth to help them improve their lives. Programs and services help build healthy and safe communities for all.

Women At Risk Programs
Drop-In Centres (New Westminster, Abbotsford), Elizabeth Gurney House (shelter for Women and Children in New Westminster), Sheena's Place (shelter in Surrey), Cynthia's Place (shelter in Surrey), Liz's (recovery treatment in Surrey), Transition to New Beginnings (recovery treatment residence for pregnant women or recent mothers).

Provides support, education and information to individuals who are caregivers of adult family members or friends who live either at home or in a facility and are frail, elderly, disabled or chronically ill. Services include referral and information, caregiver support groups, resource lending library, handouts, educational workshops and community presentations, bi-monthly newsletter, Caregiver Wellness Booklet, and Medical Information Package.

Provides community residential services for clients with a mental health illness. The program addresses three areas: life skills, vocational training, and recreation, with an emphasis on individual life planning. The House is provided by the Katherine Sanford Housing Society.

A residential psychiatric facility offering 10 beds. Offers a community residential program for people with severe and persistent mental illnesses, including those who were psychiatric hospital placements and Riverview patients, that require a stress-free, quiet, structured environment to function in the community and prevent re-hospitalization. Encourages life skills with the aim of having residents move on to semi-independent/independent living situations. The House is provided by the Katherine Sanford Housing Society.

Pre-Independent Living Program
Prepares residences to move on to semi-independent or independent living situations.

Greater Vancouver Community Services Society is a non-profit agency represented in several different municipalities - Vancouver, Richmond and North Vancouver. It currently offers: Home Support Services and Community Living Services

Community Living
The Community Living Department of the Greater Vancouver Community Services Society operates a number of homes for adults with developmental disabilities. The homes are established to provide long term support to each of the individuals, many of whom are former residents of Woodlands School. The homes are located in Vancouver, North Vancouver, and Richmond.

Habitat for Humanity’s mission is to mobilize volunteers and community partners in building affordable housing and promoting homeownership as a means to breaking the cycle of poverty. For more information please visit their website. You can also email them via their website.

Vancouver's Re Store
Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver owns two ReStores in Vancouver and Burnaby. Each ReStore receives new and used building materials generously donated by homeowners, contractors, retailers and manufactures in the community, and sells them to the public at greatly reduced prices. Money raised through sales at the ReStores covers 100% of the cost of their operations, ensuring that every dollar donated to Habitat for Humanity goes directly towards building homes for families in need.

The Greater Vancouver Regional District was established to coordinate and provide essential services and facilities on a common cooperative basis for the 22 municipalities and one electoral area of Greater Vancouver. Richmond has two representatives on the Greater Vancouver Regional District Board of Directors who participate on committees that deal with regional issues such as parks, housing, water, waste management, and air quality. The 2009 GVRD Board of Directors for Richmond: Mayor Malcolm Brodie and Councillor Harold Steves.

Metro Vancouver Housing Corporation
Web site: www.metrovancouver.org/services/housing/Pages/default.aspx
Phone:  604-432-6300
E-mail: Housing.Inquiries@metrovancouver.org
A non-profit organization that provides affordable housing for low, moderate, and middle income households. Owns and operates housing sites in 11 municipalities, providing housing for more than 10,000 people. Have sites which meet the needs of seniors, physically challenged, and other special needs. Call 604-436-6955 for the 24hr emergency line.

The Ministry of Finance provides fiscal policies and regulatory frameworks to support a strong provincial economy and the sustainable delivery of services to British Columbians.

Home Owner Grants
PO Box 9991 Stn Prov Govt
Victoria,  BC   V8W 9R7   (Map)
Web site: www.sbr.gov.bc.ca/individuals/Property_Taxes/Home_Owner_Grant/hog.htm
Phone:  250-356-8904
Fax:  250-356-8994
Toll Free:  1-888-355-2700
E-mail: hogadmin@gov.bc.ca
Aims to help homeowners reduce the amount of taxes they pay on their home. A homeowner may qualify for several types of grants by meeting certain qualifications. To apply or for more information, visit the website. The grant is available for Canadian citizens or landed immigrants who live in BC and occupies the home as his/her principle residence. It is also available to some low-income seniors, as well as certain veterans and persons with disabilities, who may not have qualified for the full grant previously due to high assessed value of their home.

Property Tax Deferment Program
PO Box 9446 Stn Prov Govt
Victoria,  BC   V8W 9V6   (Map)
Web site: www.sbr.gov.bc.ca/individuals/Property_Taxes/Property_Tax_Deferment/ptd.htm
Phone:  604-660-2421
Fax:  250-356-5347
Toll Free:  1-800-663-7867
E-mail: ruraltax@gov.bc.ca
A low interest loan program that assists qualifying BC homeowners in paying the annual property taxes on their homes. To apply, download the form from the website or call for more information.

The Sikh Temple conducts weekend prayers and services. Call 604-270-7369 for more information about their programs and services.

The Registrar is appointed by the Health Minister to protect the health and safety of those who live in assisted living residences. All assisted living residences must be registered with the Office of the Assisted Living Registrar and must meet and maintain provincial health and safety standards.

PLEA is a non-profit agency and registered charity that delivers community, social, health and justice services in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, to children, youth, adults and families who face difficult situations. Using personally tailored strategies in non-institutional settings PLEA helps clients live in their own community and have as normal, successful, independent and safe lives as their personal needs and circumstances allow.

FolkStone Adult Family Care Homes
3589 Commercial St.
Vancouver,  BC   V5N 4E8   (Map)
Web site: www.folkstonecare.com
Phone:  604-736-3601
Fax:  604-873-6114
E-mail: info@plea.bc.ca
FolkStone provides individual residential care to seniors and others who can no longer live alone. Family Care Homes are friendly, safe and offer supportive family-home environments available in a number of neighbourhoods. Clients are able to maintain their preferred degree of independence, lifestyle and privacy, and exercise as much control over their lives and activity as possible, consistent with their capacities.

The Residential Tenancy Office provides information to landlords and tenants regarding their rights and responsibilities as established by the Residential Tenancy Act. Aims to improve communication between landlords and tenants and offers various dispute resolution services. Speak to an Information Officer during office hours: Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m at the Burnaby branch or visit their website for the two Vancouver branches.

Richmond Grace Seniors Home Provides room and board services to the elder. Services are mainly provided in Chinese but English services are also available.

The Society is committed to the provision of community based services for children, teens, and adults with developmental disabilities. Fundamental is the belief that each individual has the right to those services which will enable him or her to participate - to the greatest extent possible - in the same activities of everyday life as a non-handicapped peer.

Residential Services
Group Homes: Trained staff provide support for individuals who choose to live with up to three others in their own home. Supported Living Programs: Offers a variety of individualized living options to promote independence, self-determination, personal choice and growth.

S.U.C.C.E.S.S. is a non-partisan citizen organization for the promotion of the well-being of Canadians and new immigrants and their participation in a just, equitable, and culturally diverse society through the provision of services, community development and advocacy. Founded in 1973 and incorporated as a not-for-profit charitable organization in 1974. Beginning as an agency providing settlement service to Chinese immigrants, S.U.C.C.E.S.S. has developed into a multi-service organization offering a comprehensive range of services to both new immigrants and long-time residents alike, whether they are of Chinese or non-Chinese origin.

S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Austin Harris Residence
5411 Moncton Street
Richmond,  BC   Phone:  604-277-9819
Fax:  604-277-8834
Austin Harris Residence opened in April 2007. It is a 50 unit affordable seniors assisted living unit developed under the Independent Living BC (LBC) Program. It is situated in Steveston at 5411 Moncton Street.

S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Harmony House
250 Shanghai Alley
Vancouver,  BC   Phone:  604-648-0012
Fax:  604-648-0056
S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Harmony House opened in March 2006. Located at 580 Shanghai Alley, Vancouver BC, it has 33 assisted living units. They provide affordable rental accommodations, hospitality services and personal care services.

The Salvation Army is an international Christian charitable organization devoted to helping people in need, including families in crisis, single parents, children, seniors, and those experiencing hunger, homelessness, addiction, and abuse.

Richmond House
3111 Shell Rd.
Richmond,  BC   V6X 2P3   (Map)
Phone:  604-276-2490
Fax:  604-276-2490
Provides short-term, emergency shelter for up to ten homeless men. Bed for the night and three daily meals are provided. Maximum stay is 30 days. Opens 24 hours and 7 days a week throughout the year.

The Seniors Services Society is a non-profit organization providing temporary housing, housing information, information referral, community education and support services for seniors. Its temporary housing program, web-based Seniors Housing Directory of BC, Client Outreach Staff, and Housing Counsellor provide housing information, temporary housing and support to clients throughout the Lower Mainland. Its Support services serve New Westminster clients only and include Meals on Wheels, Grocery Shopping and delivery, Support Calls, Lunch Club, Dining Club, Transportation to medical appointments, Out and About for social activities and snow removal. See the website for more information or to view the directory.

Housing Directory
E-mail: info@seniorsservicessociety.ca
A comprehensive directory of over 2000 listings of seniors housing in BC. See the directory online on the website.

Housing Services
E-mail: housing@seniorsservicessociety.ca
Provides information on housing and services for seniors living in or wishing to live in the Lower Mainland. Offers Client Outreach, Community Education Services and a Seniors Resource Centre.

Information and Referral
E-mail: info@seniorsservicessociety.ca
A Program Coordinator provides information and referral services by telephone and in person. Drop-in and by appointment help with filling out forms also available. Annual tax clinic runs through March and April. Volunteers prepare taxes with a drop-in service Monday to Friday. Hours posted at the time of tax clinic.

Meals Programs
Delivers hot meals to people who are unable to cook for themselves because of age, disability or illness. Also operates two congregate meal programs. The Dining Club provides transportation for fifteen seniors to dinner Tuesday to Thursday from 5:00p.m. to 6:00p.m./ 6:30p.m. Transport to Century House for lunch for seniors Wednesdays and Fridays 10:45 a.m. To 1:30 p.m. Serves New Westminster residents.

Shop By Phone
E-mail: support@seniorsservicessociety.ca
This service is for seniors and people with disabilities who are unable to do their own grocery shopping. Volunteers take orders and do clients' grocery shopping which is delivered by the store. Operates Mondays and Tuesdays with next day delivery. Serves New Westminster.

Volunteer Opportunities
E-mail: support@seniorsservicessociety.ca
Opportunities include working with all programs offered to seniors including but not limited to Meals on Wheels, Shop by Phone, Outreach Help, Out and About program and office support.

Provides community residential services to clients who are mentally challenged. Clients are provided with a program that will maintain a high quality of life with a goal of helping them to achieve a healthy and well-balanced emotional and physical life and prepare residents for independent living. Also offers membership to Pathways/Clubhouse, membership to Kinsmen Adult Center, and access to community services. Must be referred by Riverview Hospital, Vancouver Coastal Health, or the Richmond Mental Health Team.

TRAC provides legal education and information about residential tenancy matters to tenants, community advocates and any other British Columbians who require this knowledge. They meet with government to promote legal protection for tenants as well as with other interested parties including the media, whom we provide with information in support of efforts to protect and expand the stock of affordable rental housing. Information is available in 17 different languages including Chinese, Korean, and Spanish.

Tenant Infoline
Phone:  604-255-0546
A free information line on tenants' rights regarding evictions, repairs, security deposits, rent increases, and arbitration hearings.

A non-profit charitable organization that has been providing residential support recovery services for alcoholics and addicts in the Lower Mainland for over 25 years. Their mission is to provide a safe and supportive substance free environment for individuals wanting to abstain from alcohol and drug use, to assist recovering alcoholics and addicts with reintegration into the community and society in general, and to provide support for families and others involved with their residents.

Turning Point Richmond
Phone:  604-303-6717
Fax:  604-303-7646
Turning Point provides a nine-bed Residential Support Recovery facility for men, where they learn to be responsible for their own lives independent from the debilitating effects of addiction in a safe, supportive, abstinence based environment.

Mental health services for infants through to older adults are provided by the Richmond Mental Health Teams as well as community partners such as CHIMO Crisis Services and the Canadian Mental Health Association. For Adult services call 604-675-3975, for Child and Adolescent call 604-207-2511, and for Early Childhood services call 604-278-9711 ext. 4055.

Boarding Homes
200 - 6061 No. 3 Rd
Richmond,  BC   V6Y 2B2   (Map)
Phone:  604-273-9121
Fax:  604-270-6507
Housing for those with mental health problems is provided by boarding homes. Call for more information.

A non-profit, volunteer based organization. Provides transition housing for battered women and their children, a 24-hour rape crisis line, a women's organizing centre and public education about violence against women. Responds to over 1400 new callers and shelters 120 women plus their children each year. Phone for an appointment for information and assistance. Will accompany women to the hospital, to the police, through court proceedings, appointments with lawyers, financial aid workers, and social workers, providing emotional support and advocacy. Has articles, films, and speakers on male violence against women and will share these resources with other groups. All services are free and confidential.

Safe Shelter for Battered Women
Women and their children who need a safe place to stay in order to escape or prevent an attack are welcome here.

Provides community residential services for clients with a mental illness. Focuses on the rehabilitation of residents and programs that will develop skills for independent living. The House is provided by the Katherine Sanford Housing Society.