Apply for Housing

How to apply for low-income housing

The target group for low-income tenants is:

• Age 45 and above
• Those in core need (paying over 30% of income for rent and in substandard housing)
• Present residents of the Downtown South area will be prioritized
• Those on social assistance, pensions or low incomes

Applications are made to the Society, not to particular buildings

Applications are taken in person on the second Tuesday of each month, with the exception of December, from 10 am to 12 noon at new Jubilee House at 1099 Richards Street in the community room. On application day, staff help applicants complete their forms, which are added to the waiting list.

When a vacancy occurs, the first person on the list is contacted to come in for an interview. After the interview, references are checked.

How to apply for low-end-of-market housing

Jubilee House at 1099 Richards Street has up to 75 units of low-end-of-market rental housing. This housing creates a small income stream for The 127 Society that subsidizes the very low rents that low-income Jubilee House tenants pay.

Tenants must be Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents, currently living in the Vancouver metro area, and meet the income requirements. To qualify for this housing, prospective tenants must have incomes that fall below a maximum amount. The maximum amount shifts as the rental rate shifts.

As of November 2023, the current low-end-of-market rental rate for a studio apartment is $1185 and for a one-bedroom apartment is $2000. Income cannot exceed 5 times the monthly rent, or 5 x $1185 = $5925/month or $71,100 annual income for a studio apartment. For couples, their combined income cannot exceed 5 x $2000 = $10,000/month or $120,000 annually for one-bedroom apartments. A successful credit check is also required of prospective low-end-of-market tenants.

Please telephone 604-565-3331 to have an application mailed to you

Landlord/Tenant Relationship

The BC Residential Tenancy Act and the Tenancy Agreement signed by all tenants provides the legal basis for the relationship between the Society and tenants.

In addition, to ensure that tenants are considerate of others and respect other tenants’ needs for quiet and privacy, all in-coming tenants must sign the Guidelines for Residency.