Reprinted from the Out of Sight, Out of Mind: The unseen reality of hidden homelessness issue of Visions Journal, 2024, 20 (2), p. 36
If someone you know needs help
Find shelters, connect to an outreach worker, and learn more about financial assistance to help people who have lost housing or are at risk of losing their home.
Shelters, long-term housing, and outreach to help people find housing
- BC Housing Shelter Map: Search for year-round, temporary, and EWR shelters around BC at smap.bchousing.org.
- BC 211 Shelter and Street Help Line: Call or text 2-1-1 at any time. Find the Lower Mainland shelter list and find an online directory for resources around the province at bc.211.ca/shelter-lists. Through BC 211, you can also search for affordable, supportive, and transitional housing providers.
- Homeless Outreach: Find a local outreach organization at bchousing.org/housing-assistance/homelessness-services/find-homeless-outreach-worker.
- Indigenous housing service providers: Find a directory from the Aboriginal Housing Management Association at ahma-bc.org.
- Housing for older adults: Find a directory of housing providers from the Seniors Services Society of BC at seniorsservicessociety.ca/housing-finder.
Financial assistance to help people keep housing
- Rental Assistance Program: For working families who need help covering rent. Learn more and apply at bchousing.org/housing-assistance/rental-assistance-programs/RAP.
- SAFER (Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters): Rental assistance for adults ages 60 and older. Learn more and apply at bchousing.org/housing-assistance/rental-assistance-programs/SAFER.
- Rent Bank: Apply online or find your local rent bank at bcrentbank.ca. Rent banks provide loans to cover rent or utilities when a crisis comes up.
- BC Hydro Customer Crisis Fund: Learn more and apply at app.bchydro.com/accounts-billing/bill-payment/ways-to-pay/customer-crisis-fund.html. This grant helps people avoid disconnection when they’ve experienced a crisis and fallen behind on bill payments.
Homelessness Services Association of BC
hsa-bc.ca
The Homelessness Services Association of BC brings together shelters, drop-in centres, and other service providers who support people experiencing homelessness and work towards elimination of homelessness. Learn how you can get involved, find research, and join in events.
Homeless Hub
homelesshub.ca
Find resources and research on homelessness in Canada, including preventing homelessness, supporting people experiencing hidden homelessness, and information about programs around Canada that work to prevent and reduce homelessness.
Bridging Rural Homelessness and Well-being at Selkirk College
selkirk.ca/about-selkirk/selkirk-innovates/social-innovation/bridging-rural-homelessness-and-well-being
This social innovation project aims to better support people experiencing homelessness in rural West Kootenay communities through participatory action research and regional collaboration.
