Just Ask: How Can I Get Help Paying My Rent?
Hayley Toth | Sunshine Coast Resource Centre
With the rising cost of housing and living, many Sunshine Coast residents are feeling the pressure. Whether you’re raising a family, aging on a fixed income, living with a disability, or recovering from a financial setback, support programs are available.
If you’re a working family with children and your household income is under $60,000 per year (as of April 2025; previously $40,000), you may qualify for the Rental Assistance Program (RAP). This BC Housing program provides monthly subsidies to help cover rent. To be eligible, you must have at least one dependent child, spend more than 30% of your household income on rent and have less than $100,000 in assets.
Seniors aged 60 and over may be eligible for the Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER) program. If your annual income is under $40,000 (as of April 2025) and you’re paying more than 30% of that income on rent, you may qualify for monthly assistance. SAFER also includes pad rental if you own and live in a manufactured home.
Applications for both RAP and SAFER can be submitted online at bchousing.org or by mail. You can also apply for these programs in person, however, there is not a BC Housing Office on the Coast. If you need help printing or filling out the forms, photocopying or uploading supporting documents, or even mailing in your application the Sunshine Coast Resource Centre can assist you.
For those who don’t qualify for RAP or SAFER, such as individuals receiving income or disability assistance, or those at risk of homelessness— you may be eligible for the Canada–British Columbia Housing Benefit (CBCHB). Key eligibility requirements also include paying more than 30% of your gross income towards non-subsidized rent. The Resource Centre is the local contact point for this program, which helps people who fall through the cracks of other supports. Make an appointment with the Resource Centre on Mondays or Tuesdays from 10am-1pm by calling (604) 885-4088 or emailing help@resourcecentre.ca.
If you’re facing a short-term financial crisis and can’t pay your rent or utilities, the Keeping People Housed program may be able to help. This local program, offered through Sunshine Coast Community Services and supported by the BC Rent Bank, provides interest-free loans of up to $1,300 for individuals or $1,800 for families to cover overdue rent, utility bills, or security deposits. Loans are repaid monthly through your bank account. You can apply online in about 15–20 minutes at apply.bcrentbank.ca/apply. For in-person support or more information, call (604) 885-5881 ext. 248 or email navigator@sccss.ca.
If you’re behind on utility bills, the BC Hydro Customer Crisis Fund offers a one-time grant of up to $800 to help avoid disconnection. This is for residential customers who’ve experienced a recent life event that has caused temporary financial hardship but have made some attempt to pay their bill. You can apply online at app.bchydro.com/ccf-application, by mail, fax, or at any Service BC location. For help, call 2-1-1, a free and confidential support line.
If you or someone in your household needs to make your home safer and more accessible, the BC Rebate for Accessible Home Adaptations (RAHA) provides up to $20,000 in rebates for modifications. Both renters and homeowners may be eligible. Learn more at bchousing.org/housing-assistance/BC-RAHA or call 1-800-257-7756.
There are many other programs available so if you’re unsure which programs you may qualify for, BC Housing has an online Program Finder Tool that can help match your circumstances to available supports. If you cannot access any of this information online, you can come visit us at the Sunshine Coast Resource Centre at 5710 Teredo Street #107A in Sechelt Monday to Thursday, from 10:00am – 2:00pm and we can help guide you through. Everyone deserves a safe and stable place to live. If you’re struggling, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Just ask—we’re here to help.