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SAFER a program to assist seniors to live at home

Published 11:03 PDT, Fri April 26, 2024

Senior moments series part 2: Make your rent more affordable

The Richmond Sentinel is introducing a series called Senior Moments where we will share lifestyle information that’s of interest to the senior community. As part of this series, we’ve added video interviews and print copy with Rika Mansingh an accredited dietitian has provided a wealth of health information in an understandable language.

In addition the RCMP is keeping us informed of crime targeting seniors, we will also continue to share city programs and activities that are designed for seniors and as all three levels of government provide new programs, the Richmond Sentinel will keep you updated.

Today’s topic is new rent funding assistance program. Recently, Honourable Ravi Kahlon, BC’s minister of housing announced “We are making changes to the SAFER program to support more seniors, and deliver a top-up cheque for seniors who are now struggling with the cost of living and rent.”

About the program

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.

To be eligible you must meet all of the following:

• You are age 60 or older.

• You lived in BC the full 12-month period before submitting your application

• You, and your spouse share a home and meet Canadian citizenship requirements:

o Individuals with private sponsorship that has broken down

o People who applied for refugee status

o Individuals legally in Canada as permanent residents, not under sponsorship

o Canadian citizens not under sponsorship

• You pay more than 30 per cent of your gross, before tax, monthly household income towards rent for your home

• Improvements includes a one-time rental benefit of $430 relief for seniors with low income who are receiving a rent subsidy through the Rental Assistance Program (RAP) and SAFER program

• Current recipients automatically qualify and no action is required. Recipients will receive the one-time benefit with their regular RAP or SAFER payment in April 2024

• Existing recipients will see an increase of approximately $110 per month, the average monthly subsidy for existing clients to be $310

Improvements to the SAFER program also includes:

• Increasing income limit for eligibility from $33,000 to $37,240

• Increasing the minimum benefit from $25 to $50 a month

• Rent ceilings, which help determine the amount of rental assistance for applicants, can now be reviewed and amended annually; and

• Launching a public awareness campaign to ensure more seniors are aware of the program.

“This payment brings timely relief for low-income seniors and families experiencing increased living and rental costs," said Harwinder Sandhu, parliamentary secretary for seniors' services and long-term care. “I look forward to the impact the upcoming improvements to the SAFER program will have for seniors in need, part of our government's ongoing commitment to helping seniors live safely and comfortably in their own homes.”

The one-time benefit comes from a $12.3-million federal top-up for the Canada Housing Benefit, intended as one-time payments for low-income B.C. households in need. The province is providing $15.6 million to support the longer-term improvements to SAFER.

“The Canada Housing Benefit is helping Canadians in need afford their housing costs,” said Sean Fraser, federal minister of housing, infrastructure and communities. “With this additional funding, our goal is to ease the pressure on residents in British Columbia who are struggling to cover their living expenses. We will continue working with other levels of government to address ongoing housing challenges. This is just one of the many ways that the National Housing Strategy is helping to ensure every Canadian has a safe and secure home.”