
With the B.C. rent subsidy set to end this month, the Finance Minister says government will look at whether or not to extend it.
“We’ll be looking at all our programs over the next week or so. There are a number of programs that end June 30th, there are a number of programs that end September 30th,” said Carole James. “So we’ll be doing a full review, taking a look at the restart, seeing what’s going on.”
The rent subsidy has provided between $300 and $500 for the past three months for tenants who have lost income from COVID-19.
“Certainly our first pressure point, our first area that we want to put our focus in, is getting people back to work,” James added. “Getting the economy restarted, providing opportunities for people to go back to work in a safe and careful and planned way.”
“So that’s our first priority, but we recognize that we need to review those programs and see if the needs are still there.”
LandlordBC has been calling on the province to enhance its current rental subsidy program. B.C.’s housing critic – and Kamloops MLA – Todd Stone too says the province’s temporary rental supplement – while helpful – is failing to help out many British Columbians.