Rental Assistance Program (RAP)
RAP gives you money each month to help pay rent if you are a low-income family with at least one child. The amount covers part of the gap between your rent and what you can afford, up to a rent limit. The rent limit is $1,950 for a family of 3 or fewer and $2,200 for a family of 4 or more (starting April 2025). The average family gets about $700 a month.
What you get
About $700/month
Who it's for
You qualify if you have at least one child, have lived in BC for the past 12 months, and earn $60,000 or less a year before tax.
This takes you to the official website
What to have ready
Documents they may ask for
- Government ID for everyone in your household, if available
- A copy of your lease or rent agreement
- Recent rent receipt, ledger, or proof of what you owe
- Recent pay stubs, benefit statement, or income proof
- ODSP, Ontario Works, CPP, OAS, or other benefit statement if you have one
- Recent bank statement, if the program asks for it
What to say when you call
“Hi, I found your housing support program and I want to check if I can apply. Can you tell me the current rules, documents needed, and the next step?”
Use the official page first, then call 211 if you are not sure where to start.
Can I get this?
You have a good chance if this sounds like you:
- You qualify if you have at least one child, have lived in BC for the past 12 months, and earn $60,000 or less a year before tax
- You cannot live in subsidized or co-op housing or usually get income or disability assistance
What to do next
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What the official page looks like
The fine print
More details about the money
A monthly amount that reimburses a percentage of the difference between 30% of your gross household income and your rent, subject to maximum rent ceilings. Maximum rent ceilings effective April 2025: $1,950 province-wide for a family of 3 or fewer, and $2,200 province-wide for a family of 4 or more. After the April 2025 improvements the average family supplement is about $700/month. Use BC Housing's online calculator for an individual estimate.
Amounts and eligibility change. Confirm the current figure with the program administrator through the official link before you rely on it.
The full eligibility rules
Families with at least one dependent child (under 19, under 25 if a full-time student, or any age with a CRA-recognized disability) who have lived in BC for the past 12 months, have total before-tax annual household income of $60,000 or less, have less than $100,000 in assets (vehicles, RRSPs, RESPs, RDSPs and personal effects are excluded), pay more than 30% of household income toward rent, and file annual income tax returns. You must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident (not under sponsorship), government-sponsored refugee, refugee claimant, or hold CUAET (Canada-Ukraine) status, and cannot be living in subsidized or co-op housing or (generally) receiving income/disability assistance.
Good to know
Income limit ($60,000), $100,000 asset limit, and rent ceilings ($1,950 / $2,200) confirmed on BC Housing's RAP page. April 2025 release confirms the income limit was raised from $40,000 to $60,000, the employment-income requirement was removed, and the average supplement rose from ~$400 to ~$700/month. Figures change with program updates. Removed 'RDSPs and trade tools' phrasing from the asset note; the page lists vehicles, RRSPs, RESPs, RDSPs, and personal effects as excluded.
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