Review of Shelter Aid For Elderly Renters Subsidies

Whereas the rent ceiling caps for the Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters SAFER program have not been increased since 2018 and, as they range from 734 to 803, in no way reflect the reality of market rents paid by seniors in the Province; And whereas their income cannot exceed 30,600 for a single renter in Vancouver or 29,352 in the rest of the province leaving seniors living on less than minimum wage unable to access rent supports; And whereas the average income of a SAFER recipient is 23,660, and two out of three seniors who rent in this province receive no subsidy from government; And whereas in addition to the overall inadequacy of the subsidy amount resulting from the rent and income ceilings, the Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters SAFER formula can result in a seniors subsidy being decreased if their rent increase is greater than their income increases, due to the formula not being adjusted for inflation: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM ask the Province of BC to amend the formula used to calculate the SAFER subsidy to accurately reflect both the current incomes of low-income seniors and the average market rents throughout the province as calculated by CMHC; And be it further resolved that these amounts be reviewed and updated on an annual basis going forward.