Social Assistance Recipients: Left Out

🚫 Social Assistance Recipients: Left Out of Build Canada Homes

In Part 2, we looked at who “affordable” housing really serves. Now, let’s focus on one of the most vulnerable groups: people on social assistance. These Canadians are often completely excluded from BC Housing programs and federal housing initiatives like Build Canada Homes. 🏘️

The Reality for People on Social Assistance

• 💰 A single adult on social assistance in BC earns roughly $1,200/month.
• 🏢 BC Housing programs, including RAP, SAFER, and the Canada-BC Housing Benefit, often require applicants to not be receiving social assistance.
• ⚠️ Even if housing is built, the rents are usually far above what social assistance allows — making units effectively inaccessible.

Why This Gap Exists

The exclusion happens for a few reasons:

• 📊 Many programs are designed for “working low-income families,” not people entirely dependent on social assistance.
• 💼 Policies assume that social assistance recipients have access to additional subsidies, which is often insufficient or inconsistent.
• 🏗️ Even innovative construction methods don’t automatically translate to **rents social assistance recipients can afford**.

The Consequences

When those on social assistance are excluded:

• 🏚️ They remain at high risk of homelessness or housing stress.
• 💸 They may be forced into overcrowded or unsafe housing situations.
• ❌ Programs like Build Canada Homes may succeed in construction but fail to reach the Canadians who need it most.

Potential Solutions

To make BCH truly inclusive, some steps could be:

• 🔹 Adjust eligibility criteria to include social assistance recipients.
• 🔹 Tie rents directly to actual income, not median or market-based standards.
• 🔹 Prioritize **tiny homes, mobile homes, or modular units** for rapid, affordable solutions.
• 🔹 Include supportive services and community oversight to ensure accessibility and stability.

Questions for BCH & Mark Carney

• How will Build Canada Homes ensure units are truly accessible to people on social assistance?
• Will there be **dedicated funding or subsidies** for this group?
• Can the program implement **tiny home villages or modular clusters** specifically for low-income and assisted populations?

💡 Social assistance recipients are some of the **most vulnerable Canadians**, yet current housing programs largely ignore them. If Build Canada Homes is to succeed in its mission, it must include the people who are currently left behind. 💛

Stay tuned for Part 4, where we explore practical ways to make housing truly affordable and accessible for everyone.