Program provides emergency supports, rent assistance, and rental subsidies to off-lands Tla’amin citizens struggling to make ends meet.
t̓išosəm (qathet), BC – Tla’amin Nation today announced the launch of the Off-Lands Housing Support Program, a new initiative to provide housing assistance to Tla’amin citizens living away from home.
The program is funded through Canada’s Urban, Rural and Northern (URN) Indigenous Housing Strategy and provides targeted supports to help citizens prevent housing loss, respond to emergencies, and improve long-term housing affordability. Funding is time-limited with the program expected to run for four years.
“For generations, Tla’amin people have lived away from home, some for education and opportunity, others because housing here was not always available. Life off-lands is not easy, and rising housing costs are putting real pressure on our citizens,” said Dillon Johnson, Housepost, Public Works and Housing. “Over the last five years, Tla’amin Nation has built more than 50 new homes and worked hard to make life in t̓išosəm affordable for our people. We know many citizens off-lands are still struggling to keep a roof over their heads, and this program is how we extend that same commitment to them, wherever they live.”
The program offers a range of housing supports, including:
- Emergency housing stays for urgent situations
- Rapid rehousing assistance for households at risk of or experiencing housing loss
- Temporary rental assistance for households facing short-term financial hardship
- Emergency repairs to essential appliances and home systems
- Tenant rights support and education
- A rental subsidy program for households with severe housing cost burdens
Eligibility is based on housing need. A household may qualify if housing costs are 30% or more of gross household income, if the household is experiencing an emergency housing situation, or if non-financial supports such as tenant rights assistance are needed.
Visit https://www.tlaaminnation.com/off-lands-housing-support-program/ for more info.
Tla’amin citizens living off-lands can apply online at https://wkf.ms/3P1XGed or contact the Housing Department directly for assistance.