Due to the recommendation from the Province’s social distancing requirements for the next coming weeks and/months, several businesses and offices have had to close their doors and ask people to work from home. For many this has meant job loss or reduced wages. Due to these severe restrictions, TFN Members might be facing financial hardships in the coming months and be unable to pay their rents.
Recognizing these challenges, Executive Council has directed staff to provide rent relief for Members residing in TFN affordable rental units and TFN market rental units in response to the recent COVID-19 pandemic, as long as the province of B.C. enforces a state of public health emergency.
No rents will be charged for these units for TFN Members residing currently in TFN rental units starting April 1, 2020.
Executive Council also wishes to support TFN Members in non-TFN rental units. To support people and prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Province is introducing a new temporary rental supplement. The new BC Temporary Rental Supplement, or BC-TRS, will be administered by BC Housing. This new program will provide a temporary rental supplement to assist eligible low- and moderate-income renters who are struggling to pay their rent as a result of income loss or income reduction due to COVID-19. Eligible tenants will have the benefit paid directly to their landlord, benefitting both the landlord and the tenant. At this time, this is a three-month program.
To support TFN Members in non-TFN rental units, TFN staff will provide assistance to all TFN Members in non TFN rental units and non-Members residing in TFN market rental units to receive BC Temporary Rental Supplement from BC Housing.
For more information and assistance on both these initiatives, please contact Priyanka Roy, Housing Planner at proy@tsawwassenfirstnation.com or (604) 785-3856.
More information on the BC Temporary Rental Supplement can also be found at: www.bchousing.org/COVID-19