Vancouver Rent Bank
Important Notice:
Vancouver Rent Bank Drop-in hours are on Thursday from 10-1pm at RayCam Community Centre, located at 920 East Hastings Street.
Notice: VRB will no be processing loans from between December 25th, 2025 to January 3rd, 2026.
If you require immediate assistance with your Vancouver Rent Bank, please feel free to call us at 604-566-9685 from Monday to Friday, 9:00AM – 5:00PM or leave us a voice message and one of our Case Managers will respond as soon as possible.
What Can Vancouver Rent Bank Do For me?
VRB can offer a short term, no interest loan to families and individuals that live in the City of Vancouver who are at risk of eviction or essential utility disconnection due to a temporary shortage of funds. VRB loans can also be used for a security deposit if current housing is deemed unsafe or unsustainable. We also provide applicants with the tools to better manage their financial resources.
Please see below for application criteria and guidelines. You can also contact us directly at 604-566-9685.
What can VRB loans and one-time housing grants be used for?
- Rental arrears/past due rent (not to exceed 2 months)
- Utility Arrears
- Security Deposits and/or First month’s rent
Is there an interview?
Yes. Once we have determined your eligibility and received all your documents, one of our Case Managers will contact you for an interview. The interview process is very in-depth; we will ask detailed questions about past, current and future spending, budgeting, and income sources.
The process can seem invasive; however, the goal is to determine if the applicant meets the program criteria.
Application Process:
- Submit application online: https://bcrentbank.ca/
- VRB Team determines eligibility and request documents
- Conduct Interview with Case Manager
- Wait for Committee Approval (2-3 business days)
- Sign Loan/Grant Approval documents
- Funds gets transferred to landlord through cheque or e-transfer
What is required to apply for a Vancouver Rent Bank loan?
- Must be a current resident of the City of Vancouver or will be a resident of the City of Vancouver
- Must have low-income (see chart below)
- Are 19 years of age or older as of application date.
- Have a bank account or receiving Income Assistance
- Have (or will soon have) a concrete, consistent source of income (can be government assistance)
- Have two pieces of ID, one with picture
- Can provide proof of tenancy
- Not be in the process of bankruptcy
- Have no un-discharged bankruptcies
- Have a sincere reason for any delinquency in debt/rental/essential utility payments
- Have/ will have long term, safe housing
- Can demonstrate on-going ability to pay monthly rent
- Experiencing temporary financial crisis and/or financial crisis due to COVID-19
- Owe no more than two months rental arrears
If you are not a current resident of the City of Vancouver, please visit https://bcrentbank.ca/locations/ for a current list of rent banks in British Columbia.
What if I live in subsidized housing?
If you live in subsidized housing or affordable housing you are still eligible to apply for a loan given that you met the eligibility requirements.
Is there a maximum amount I can request?
Yes.
- The maximum a single person may request is $1800.
- The maximum a family may request is $2500.
- If you are a family of 3 or more then you may request up to $3000.
How are the funds provided?
If you are approved for a loan, the funds are provided in cheque form or e-transfer. The funds gets transferred directly to your landlord, or the utility company such as BC Hydro or Fortis BC.
If you are a subletter or pay monthly rent to a roommate/primary tenant, please contact us before completing an application.
How do I apply for a loan from the Vancouver Rent Bank?
In order to start an application for a VRB loan, you will need to sign up, log-in, and complete a pre-assessment. You can do this by clicking here.
Is there a drop-in?
Our drop-ins are on Thursdays from 10 AM – 1 PM at 920 East Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC V6A 3T1. Inside the RayCam Co-operative Community Centre.
What else do I need to apply?
Once your application is received we will contact you with a list of required documents to send us.
Please do not send documents until we have requested them.
Example of required documents:
- 2 pieces of Valid ID (one with picture)
- Proof of Tenancy or Intent to Rent
- Eviction Notice (if applicable)
- Last 3 months of ALL bank account and credit card statements
- Payday loan statements (if applicable)
- Proof of income
- Recent Pay stubs, child tax benefits or ministry payments, application to EI, employment contract etc.
- If self-employed, most recent income tax statement
- Recent Utility bills
- If approved for a VRB Loan you will also be asked to submit a Void Check or Automatic Withdrawal Slip before payment is processed to your landlord or utility company.
When should you contact a member of the Vancouver Rent Bank?
If you have concerns about your ability to pay your rent or essential utility bills, then that would be a good time to call a member of our Vancouver Rent Bank team at 604-566-9685.
How do I know if I have low income?
Please see the 2023 Housing Income Limits (HILs) chart below to find out if your current income is considered low in your community.
Housing Income Limits (HILs) represent the maximum gross household income for eligibility in many affordable housing programs. The HILs are based on figures established by CMHC, and are intended to reflect the minimum income required to afford appropriate accommodation in the private market.
| Planning Area Lower Mainland | 1 Bdrm or Less | 2 Bdrm | 3 Bdrm | 4+ Bdrm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abbotsford | $44,500 | $55,000 | $78,000 | $91,500 |
| Chilliwack | $39,500 | $54,000 | $61,500 | $67,000 |
| Hope | $30,000 | $38,000 | $42,000 | $55,500 |
| Powell River | $37,000 | $38,500 | $42,000 | $54,000 |
| Squamish | $52,500 | $62,500 | $72,500 | $92,000 |
| Sunshine Coast | $41,000 | $49,500 | $57,500 | $67,000 |
| Vancouver | $58,000 | $72,000 | $86,000 | $107,500 |
| Non-Market Areas | $77,000 | $89,500 | $98,000 | $106,000 |
How do I pay back the loan?
We give you a monthly repayment plan depending on your budget of either 12 months, 24 months or 36 months.
This is an interest free loan, you will only be charged an administration fee of $1/month.
For Example of loan repayment amounts:
- A loan of $1000 will require a repayment of $84.33/month for 12 monthly plans
- A loan of $1000 will require a repayment of $42.67/month for 24-monthy plans
- A loan of $1000 will require a repayment of $28.78/month for 36 monthly plans
Monthly payments are automatically withdrawn from your bank account. There is no repayment requirement for approved one-time housing grants.
Contact Vancouver Rent Bank:
By phone at 604-566-9685
By email at vrb@niccss.ca
By fax at 604-569-3779
Vancouver Rent Bank
(Operated by NICCSS)
920 East Hastings Street,
Vancouver, BC V6A 3T1