Rental Support

RENTAL SUPPORT PROGRAMS

COWICHAN RENT BANK

What is a Rent Bank?

A Rent Bank provides financial assistance in the form of a no-interest repayable loan to stabilize rental housing during unanticipated short term financial challenges. The loan can be used for upcoming rent/utilities, rental/utility arrears, and damage deposits to secure safe and sustainable housing.

What services are offered by the Cowichan Rent Bank?

The Cowichan Rent Bank assists eligible families and individuals who may be at risk of eviction or essential utility disconnection due to a short-term financial crisis.

We offer:

Interest-free, low-fee loans for those who qualify and meet eligibility
Advocacy, resources, and referral services
Support in a time of crisis

Who is eligible for a Rent Bank loan?

The following criteria must be met to be eligible for a repayable Rent Bank loan.

19 years of age or older
Resident of the Cowichan Valley OR moving to the Cowichan Region
Must meet low-to-moderate income requirements*
No more than two months behind on rent or utilities
A regular source of verifiable income
A current bank account
Must not have an undischarged bankruptcy
Evidence funds will stabilize housing for at least 90 days
Ability to repay loan and manage any outstanding debt

*Household Income Limits are determined by BC Housing

What documents are required to apply for a loan from the Cowichan Rent Bank?

Two pieces of identification (one with a photo)
Proof of Tenancy or Intent to Rent (ex: Residential Tenancy Agreement, Lease Agreement, or other rental agreement)
Eviction notice or Utility Notice of Disconnection
Three months of ALL bank account and credit card statements (including statements of all debt)
Proof of income

Please Note: BC Rent Bank and Cowichan Housing Association (CHA) will use your personal information only for assessment and administration purposes in accordance with the guidelines of the BC Rent Bank Privacy Statement.

What is the Application Process?

The Pre-Assessment Form should be completed and submitted online. Forms will be reviewed in the order they are received. If you do not have email access, please phone us to discuss other options.
Once a Rent Bank Case Manager has reviewed your initial information, we will contact you to discuss next steps*. This may include asking you to complete a phone interview and to provide further documentation.* Speaking with you and reviewing your circumstances does not guarantee financial assistance.
A Cowichan Rent Bank Case Manager will follow up with you to discuss your application. If necessary, we may ask for more information. The Case Manager may ask for consent to contact your landlord, employer, utility service provider, and/or other service providers on your behalf.
Our Loan Review Committee will review completed applications. Loans are approved based on three criteria:
- - the likelihood a loan will stabilize housing,
  - the applicant’s financial stability, and
  - the applicant’s ability to repay the loan.

Click the logo to start your online Pre-Assessment Application Form

BC Rent Bank is a project of Vancity Community Foundation with funding provided by the Province of BC

EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

Emergency Assistance Program

Depending on available funding, CHA provides emergency assistance funds to individuals at risk of homelessness via eviction and/or hydro cut-off. The purpose of the fund is to:

To prevent a tenant(s) from being evicted.
To assist an individual or family facing disconnection of power/heating due to lack of funds.

The Emergency Housing Assistance Program is to be used for housing emergencies where an individual or family is facing eviction or loss of power/heat and where other sources of funding have been exhausted.

Indigenous individuals living on-Nation are eligible to apply for assistance when faced with utilities disconnection notices.

For more information call our office at 250-597-1938.