The province has announced a $500-dollar renter rebate for tenants who have lost income from COVID-19.

Premier John Horgan says that rebate will be available for up to 4 months, meaning that tenants can get up to $2,000 dollars.

He says those cheques will be available through BC Housing, and did not give a date but says that will be “as quickly as possible.”

“I want to reiterate, if you can pay your rent, you should pay your rent. This fund is there to help those people who are in genuine distress. The fewer people who access the program, the more opportunity we have to expand it going forward.”

Horgan also announced a moratorium on evictions, which excludes “extreme cases” where there is a safety issue, according to Housing Minister Selina Robinson.

The Premier also has put a freeze on rent increases until the pandemic is over.