Housing & Tenant Support

Whether you're renting, facing eviction, short on rent this month, or without a place to sleep, help is local, and you don't have to figure it out alone.

Housing help, start here

Rent, rights, and a roof over your head.

The City of Silvermere doesn't own or rent out housing. But a handful of provincial, regional, and local organizations do, and most of them are reachable by one phone call.

This page is the map: tenant rights (provincial), subsidized housing (BC Housing), emergency rent (Highlands Rent Bank), and the local shelter (Silvermere & District Community Services Society).

First calls

BC Residential Tenancy Branch: 1-800-665-8779; Tenant & landlord rights
Highlands Rent Bank (SDCSS): rentbank@silvermere.example; Emergency interest-free loans
BC Housing: 1-800-257-7756; Subsidized & rental assistance
Shelter (SDCSS): Silvermere shelter; Silvermere & District Community Services Society

A calm civic desk with housing support forms, keys, and a neighbourhood map. — Tenant rights, rent help, subsidized housing, and shelter options are easier to sort when the first step is clear.

Eviction is rarely inevitable, even after notice. BC tenancy law gives tenants real options at every stage: dispute resolution at the RTB, payment plans through the Rent Bank, mediation, and short-term financial supports. Many people who land here in panic call one of the lines below, work through the next two weeks, and stay housed. Not every situation, but more than most assume. If you don’t know which call applies to you, start with the BC Residential Tenancy Branch at 1-800-665-8779, they’ll route you.

Where are you, right now?

I have an issue with my landlord
Call the BC Residential Tenancy Branch at 1-800-665-8779. They handle deposits, repairs, rent increases, notices to end tenancy, and dispute resolution. The City does not enforce tenancy law.
RTB help
I'm at risk of losing my home this month
Contact the Highlands Rent Bank through SDCSS at rentbank@silvermere.example. They offer interest-free loans to prevent eviction for people experiencing short-term financial hardship.
Email Rent Bank
I need affordable or subsidized housing
Apply to the BC Housing Registry, one application covers most subsidized providers. Silvermere has four CMHA-operated complexes plus other BC Housing buildings.
Apply to BC Housing
I don't have a place to sleep tonight
Contact the Silvermere shelter via SDCSS. The shelter offers 24/7 overnight space, meals, and case management to help you find stable housing.
SDCSS shelter

Your rights as a tenant in BC

Rental housing in British Columbia is governed by the provincial Residential Tenancy Act and administered by the Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB). The City does not mediate tenancy disputes or enforce rental terms.

Contact the RTB for help with:

Security deposits and pet damage deposits
Rent increases (notice requirements and annual limits)
Repairs and maintenance obligations
Notices to end tenancy (by tenant or landlord)
Eviction hearings and dispute resolution
Illegal fees or landlord entry without notice
Recovering your deposit

Phone: 1-800-665-8779 (Mon, Fri 9 a.m., 4 p.m., last Wednesday of the month 11 a.m., 4 p.m.)
Online: gov.bc.ca, Contact the Residential Tenancy Branch

Tip

Document everything

Keep copies of your lease, rent receipts, written notices, and any repair requests. Take dated photos of the unit at move-in and before you leave. These records make RTB disputes much simpler.

Highlands Rent Bank, emergency loans to prevent eviction

The Highlands Rent Bank is run by the Silvermere & District Community Services Society and offers interest-free, repayable loans to people experiencing a short-term financial crisis that puts their housing at risk.

Email: rentbank@silvermere.example
Loans typically cover back-rent or utility arrears.
Applicants must demonstrate a plan to repay (e.g. regular income that stabilizes after the crisis).
The Rent Bank is a bridge program, not ongoing assistance.

BC Housing, subsidized & assisted housing

Subsidized housing

Eligible low-income households pay rent geared to income (typically 30% of household gross income, subject to minimums). Income limits are set by province-wide Housing Income Limits (HILs).

Apply once through the BC Housing Registry; your application is considered by all participating providers that match your criteria.

Rental Assistance Program (RAP)

RAP gives cash assistance to low-income working families with children who rent in the private market (not subsidized housing). It's a direct monthly subsidy paid to the tenant.

Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER)

SAFER does the same for renters age 60 and over. See the Seniors in Silvermere page for more.

CMHA Highlands, supportive housing

In partnership with BC Housing, CMHA Highlands operates four supportive-housing complexes in Silvermere:

Lakeview Court , 28 units, low-income families and individuals
Cedar Court , 34 units, low-income families and individuals
Highwater Court , 14 units, low-income families and individuals
Additional supportive-housing units managed in the region.

More info is available from CMHA Highlands' affordable housing program.

If you need somewhere to stay tonight

The Silvermere shelter, operated by the Silvermere & District Community Services Society (SDCSS), provides 24/7, year-round emergency shelter with meals, washrooms, laundry, and case management to help residents transition to stable housing.

SDCSS also operated the earlier Out of the Cold temporary winter shelter at 1660 Lakeshore Avenue. A new permanent shelter at 2245 6th Avenue is being delivered in partnership with BC Housing to provide up to 20 spaces year-round.

SDCSS: Silvermere & District Community Services Society
Status and access details change by season, call SDCSS or check their website for current hours and referral procedures.

Good to know

Bring a friend or phone ahead

If this is your first time accessing a shelter, a phone call or visit from a staff member beforehand can help. SDCSS connects you with case management and the next step in your housing plan, this is their whole purpose.

For landlords

Residential Tenancy Branch at 1-800-665-8779 for tenancy law questions and dispute resolution.
LandlordBC offers education, resources, and the Rental Housing Industry: landlordbc.ca.
City of Silvermere business licence may be required if you operate short-term rentals; see Business Licences.

Looking to buy?

BC's rising housing costs have tightened the market in the Highlands too. Programs that help:

BC Home Owner Grant reduces property taxes on your principal residence. Apply each year by the property-tax deadline. See our Property Taxes page.
Property Tax Deferment for homeowners 55+ and some others. See Seniors in Silvermere.
First-Time Home Buyers' Program reduces property transfer tax for eligible purchasers.

The City's Housing Strategy

Silvermere's Housing Strategy (2021) sets out the City's five focus areas: Affordable Housing, Housing Diversity, Rental Housing, Barrier Reduction, and Partnerships. The strategy is implemented through the Community Plan (Bylaw 404) and Zoning Bylaw (Bylaw 411), both adopted in July 2024.

Common questions

Does the City handle rental disputes?

No. The provincial Residential Tenancy Branch handles all tenancy disputes, deposits, repairs, evictions, and rent increases. Call them at 1-800-665-8779.

How do I apply for subsidized housing?

Apply once through the BC Housing Registry. One application covers all participating providers in BC, including the four CMHA Highlands complexes in Silvermere.

What if I can't cover this month's rent?

Email the Highlands Rent Bank at rentbank@silvermere.example. Interest-free repayable loans can bridge a short-term financial crisis. Also contact BC Housing about RAP or SAFER for ongoing assistance if applicable.

What do I do if my landlord won't make repairs?

Put your request in writing and keep a copy. If the landlord doesn't respond, you can apply to the Residential Tenancy Branch for dispute resolution. Call 1-800-665-8779 for help.

Can my landlord evict me for any reason?

No. BC law limits the reasons a landlord can end tenancy, and the notice periods are strict. If you receive a notice you believe is wrongful, contact RTB immediately to apply for dispute resolution.

How much can rent be raised?

BC sets an annual maximum rent-increase percentage each calendar year. Check the current limit at gov.bc.ca, Rent Increases.

Where can I get free legal advice for a tenancy issue?

Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre (TRAC) offers free information: tenants.bc.ca or 1-800-665-1185. Access Pro Bono and Legal Aid BC may also help.

I need a shelter, where do I go?

Contact the Silvermere & District Community Services Society (SDCSS). They operate the year-round shelter with meals, washrooms, and case management.

Is there help for seniors specifically?

Yes. SAFER (Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters) gives direct cash assistance to renters 60+. Property Tax Deferment lets homeowners 55+ defer taxes. See Seniors in Silvermere.

What about for people with mental-health or substance-use challenges?

A regional mental-health association offers supportive housing that integrates housing with case management. Apply through BC Housing Registry, and note supportive-housing providers as a preferred option.

My income just dropped, what benefits should I check?

Check BC Income Assistance, Employment Insurance (EI), and the Canada Workers Benefit. See the Food, Income & Hardship page for the full overview.

Can I run an Airbnb in Silvermere?

Short-term rentals require a City business licence and are subject to BC's provincial short-term rental rules (registration, principal-residence requirements in some cases). See the Business Licences page.

What to do next

BC Residential Tenancy Branch

Tenant & landlord rights, rent increases, disputes.

Highlands Rent Bank

Emergency interest-free loans to prevent eviction.

BC Housing Registry

Apply for subsidized housing across BC.

SDCSS (Shelter + Rent Bank)

Silvermere & District Community Services Society.

CMHA Highlands, Affordable Housing

Supportive housing in Silvermere and the region.

City Housing Strategy

How the City is addressing housing locally.

Still need help?

Talk to City Hall (general housing questions)

Phone: 250-555-0100
Email: info@silvermere.example
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm
In person: For tenancy law: BC RTB 1-800-665-8779. For urgent shelter: SDCSS (Silvermere & District Community Services Society).

Submit a request online

Faster than calling for non-urgent issues. We respond within one business day.

Housing information verified against the BC Residential Tenancy Branch, BC Housing, CMHA Highlands, Silvermere & District Community Services Society, and the Province of BC. Programs and eligibility may change; confirm with each provider before applying.