Canada-BC (CBCHB) Housing Benefit

• Completed application form
• Supporting documents for eligibility review
• Annual renewal form
• Direct deposit information
• Social Insurance Number for T5007 issuance

Who is eligible?

• Eligible renters in British Columbia
• Households served by non-profit community providers
• Households on the Housing Registry

Who is not eligible

• Applicants under private sponsorship, unless the sponsorship has broken down and BC Housing accepts it.
• Households not living in British Columbia.
• Recipients living in ineligible housing types.

Eligible expenses

• Monthly housing rent paid for an eligible primary residence.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Residences with government rent subsidies or housing assistance.
• Homeownership expenses for a home owned by the recipient.
• Private assisted living or room-and-board arrangements.
• Housing where the landlord is the benefit provider.

Eligible geographic areas

• British Columbia

• Applicants are selected from priority groups in need of housing.
• Priority is given to people identified by housing providers or the Housing Registry.
• Selection is based on housing need and program eligibility.

• Step 1: Be identified by a housing provider or the Housing Registry
  • Applicants are selected from priority groups.
  • There is no direct application process to the program.
• Step 2: Complete the provider application
  • The provider invites the applicant to apply.
  • The applicant submits the completed application and supporting documents to the provider.
• Step 3: Provider review and approval
  • The provider reviews the application.
  • If eligible, the provider approves the application and enters the information into BC Housing’s database.
• Step 4: Benefit setup and payment
  • The provider sends an approval letter.
  • Direct deposit is arranged for the benefit payment.
  • The first benefit payment starts the benefit year.

• Applicants are identified by providers or from the Housing Registry.
• Providers review the application and confirm eligibility.
• BC Housing or the provider records the applicant and sends an approval letter.
• Direct deposit is set up before the first payment is issued.
• Recipients must report changes and complete annual renewal forms.

• The benefit is issued by BC Housing or by non-profit/community providers.
• Recipients must submit an annual renewal form to continue receiving support.
• Recipients must report changes to their provider within 30 days.
• A T5007 tax slip is issued when annual benefits exceed $500.