Whereas the Province of British Columbias Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters SAFER program is intended to help make rents affordable for BC seniors with low to moderate incomes; And whereas the Office of the Seniors Advocate has identified that the BC Housing Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters SAFER and Seniors Subsidized Housing programs are not keeping pace with inflation, the growing seniors population, and changing market conditions, including a notable lack of culturally appropriate supports and inclusive care environments for 2SLGBTQ residents: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM call on the provincial government to increase funding and resources for the SAFER Program and Seniors Subsidized Housing programs, including affordable seniors housing projects, to reflect current market conditions, meet the needs, and improve the quality of life for seniors and older persons across the province.
Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs The Province is committed to supporting seniors in a manner that is both responsive to changing market conditions and improves the quality of life for older persons across the province. This commitment is reflected in Budget 2025 which invests an additional 375 million over the next three years to enhance both the Rental Assistance Program RAP and the Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters SAFER program, helping low-income families and seniors afford their rent. The SAFER program provides support for low- to moderate-income people aged 60 who rent in the private market. Through Budget 2025, improvements to SAFER include increasing the household income limit for eligibility from 37,240 to 40,000, increasing the maximum monthly rent ceiling from 931 to 1,150, and increasing the average monthly supplement by 30 percent from 260 to 337. In addition, a Public Awareness Campaign will take place between April 1 and October 1, 2025, consisting of a mix of print and digital materials to improve program awareness and uptake.