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Source verified April 29, 2026
Extreme Weather Response (EWR) Program
Building safety assessment support after disasters
Latest source updateLast Update: April 27, 2026Latest change: The Extreme Weather Response content now emphasizes a formal policy with updated plan, budget, reporting, and invoice requirements.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: April 27, 2026
Latest change: The Extreme Weather Response content now emphasizes a formal policy with updated plan, budget, reporting, and invoice requirements.
Extreme Weather Response policy and requirements updated
The Extreme Weather Response content has shifted from a program overview to a detailed BC Housing policy document. It now adds clearer requirements for annual community plans, approval of nightly budgets, allowable expenses, occupancy and expense reporting deadlines, and related forms and contact methods. The funding description also changes to focus on approved nightly budget costs, ineligible capital expenses, and conditions for invoice submission and extensions. The program scope remains centered on community-based extreme weather shelter responses, but the operating rules are now more specific and formalized.
Funding available
Varies by project
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
British Columbia, Canada
Who can apply
Local authorities, including municipalities, First Nations, and regional governments, for the Post-Disaster Building Assessment guidelines.
See full eligibility
Overview
Post-Disaster Building Assessments helps communities assess building safety after floods, windstorms, or earthquakes. BC Housing supports local authorities through guidelines, training, mobile tools, and assessment resources for damage evaluation and recovery.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop a new program or service
- Increase social or community impact
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- British Columbia
Legal structures
- All legal structures
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Post-disaster building assessments for communities affected by floods, windstorms, or earthquakes.
- Coordination of Damage Assessment training.
- Rapid Damage Assessment training and field assessment activities.
- New construction intended for rental use.
- Energy efficiency and electric retrofit projects.
Documents Needed
- PLAR Application Form
- Warranty Consent Form
- PLAR Self-Assessment Form
- Rental Exemption Request Form
Official resources
Program guide
Application form
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Local authorities, including municipalities, First Nations, and regional governments, for the Post-Disaster Building Assessment guidelines.
- Registered owners or registered leasehold owners for rental exemption.
- Non-profit housing societies, housing co-operatives, and municipal housing authorities for the Energy Efficiency Retrofit Program.
- General contractor applicants for residential builder licence PLAR.
- Owner builder applicants for the Owner Builder Authorization Exam.
Who is not eligible
- Current Belonging Network staff, board members, committee members, contractors, and their respective children cannot apply for Belonging Network bursaries.
Eligible expenses
- Energy and electric upgrades
- Small-scale energy-saving retrofits
- Building assessment tools and training resources
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- AI-generated artwork
Eligible geographic areas
- British Columbia
- BC communities for Post-Disaster Building Assessment guidelines
- Douglas College's New Westminster campus for gallery submissions
Selection criteria
- For the Amelia Douglas Gallery, artists whose work has been exhibited in the gallery in the previous two years will not be considered.
- For the Amelia Douglas Gallery, artists who have not exhibited in New Westminster in the previous year will be prioritized.
- For bursaries, the strongest applicants will be presented to the selection committee.
How to apply
- For the rental exemption, complete the Rental Exemption Request Form and email it to BC Housing.
- For PLAR, start the new licence application in the Licensed Residential Builders Portal.
- For the Owner Builder Authorization Exam, wait for the eligibility letter with exam scheduling instructions after application review.
- For the SAP-CSTI refresher training, register an account, wait for approval, then request the training in the LMS.
Processing and Agreement
- For the rental exemption, BC Housing reviews the submission and issues a draft Section 219 Covenant if the project meets eligibility criteria.
- For PLAR, the Licensing Officer conducts an initial review and may contact the applicant for missing information.
- For the Owner Builder Authorization Exam, the Licensing team conducts a final review after the exam and issues a written decision.
- For Social Enterprise Certification, certification can also make an enterprise eligible for People and Planet First Verification with no additional payment or document review.
Additional information
- BC Housing continues to review new EWR Plan proposals throughout the winter.
- Community planning is done locally with BC Housing approval required for each plan.
- Approved shelters must comply with municipal bylaws and fire regulations.
- The shelter provider must provide proof of municipal and fire department approval.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Extreme Weather Response (EWR) Program Program
What is the Extreme Weather Response (EWR) Program?
Post-Disaster Building Assessments helps communities assess building safety after floods, windstorms, or earthquakes. BC Housing supports local authorities through guidelines, training, mobile tools, and assessment resources for damage evaluation and recovery.
Who is eligible for the Extreme Weather Response (EWR) Program program?
To be eligible for the Extreme Weather Response (EWR) Program program, you must:
Registered owner or registered leasehold owner for rental exemption
Non-profit housing society, housing co-operative, or municipal housing authority for retrofit funding
General contractor applicants for PLAR review
What expenses are eligible under Extreme Weather Response (EWR) Program?
Post-disaster building assessments for communities affected by floods, windstorms, or earthquakes.
Coordination of Damage Assessment training.
Rapid Damage Assessment training and field assessment activities.
New construction intended for rental use.
Energy efficiency and electric retrofit projects.
Who can I contact for more information about the Extreme Weather Response (EWR) Program?
You can contact BC Housing (BCH) by email at EWR_BCH@bchousing.org or by phone at 604-439-4150.
Where is the Extreme Weather Response (EWR) Program available?
The Extreme Weather Response (EWR) Program program is available the province of British Columbia.
Is the Extreme Weather Response (EWR) Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Extreme Weather Response (EWR) Program is a Grant and Funding
Who are the financial supporters of the Extreme Weather Response (EWR) Program?
Extreme Weather Response (EWR) Program is funded by BC Housing (BCH)