Housing FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

For more information on anything listed here or any other questions contact 604-520-6621 or .

Who do I call if I think I cannot pay my rent?

Contact the society for information on applying to programs to assist with rental costs and information on low income housing at 604-520-6621. The society has information on SAFER which is a BC Housing rental subsidy program or can assist with finding and applying for to lower cost housing. The outreach workers may also be available to provide additional services. For more information about applying for SAFER contact BC Housing or call 604-433-2218 or 1-800-257-7756.

I want to know more about nursing homes, should I get on the wait list now?

After an assessment determines that care is needed the facility placement waitlist can be as little as three months but on most occasions may be 6 months to a year. With the First Available Bed policy (FAB) clients may temporarily have to go to another facility first where there is an available bed before they are place in their preferred facility. For more information Vancouver Coastal Health, Fraser Health Authority at 1-800-639-3938.

My parents live in Ontario, where can I get housing information for other provinces?

There are a number of publications that list housing options for other areas, one example is www.senioropolis.com.

I need to modify my home to accommodate my new wheelchair who will help?

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation CMHC has a program called Home Adaptations for Seniors Independence HASI. You can contact CMHC for more information.

My mother is going into an Assisted Living facility who is responsible for making sure they are safe?

The Assisted Living Registrar is responsible for ensuring the safety and health standards at Assisted Living facilities. For more information contact the Office of the Registrar at 1-866-714-3378.

My mother lives alone and has fallen in the past, I would like to install a personal alarm system, who offers them?

Personal alarm systems monitor people who live alone in case of medical emergency. These systems usually include a pendant that is worn by the individual and device that is attached to their telephone. For more information contact Lifeline at 1-866-784-1992 or Lifecall at 1-800-661-5433.

I would like to stay in my own home but find cooking to be a problem, who can I contact for meals on wheels?

The following are some of the private and non profit agencies that provide meals on wheels across the lower mainland. Follow this link see the choices of meals on wheels programs in the various communities in the lower mainland.

For more information about any of the terms used on this page please consult our glossary or call 604-520-6621 or .