BC’s Refugee Claimant Housing Referral System (BC CHARMS) | MOSAIC Programs (2024)

FAQs

BC’s Refugee Claimant Housing Referral System (BC CHARMS) | MOSAIC Programs? ›

BC CHARMS connects refugee claimants to safe and suitable housing opportunities across the province of BC. We are the first of its kind in Western Canada to offer a platform to bring together people who help refugees settle and those with housing to offer.

BC CHARMS (BC's Refugee Claimant Housing Referral System) is a joint venture between The Ministry of Municipal Affairs, MAP BC, and MOSAIC, which connects refugee claimants to suitable housing opportunities in the province.

Applicants must permanently reside in British Columbia when applying, and each member of the household must be one of the following: Canadian citizen. Individual lawfully admitted into Canada for permanent residence. Refugee sponsored by the Government of Canada.

Under the Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP), the Government of Canada helps government-assisted refugees (GARs) and other eligible clients when they first arrive in Canada by providing direct financial support, and funding the provision of immediate and essential services.

The Refugee Housing program is about matching two compatible people – a host with a spare bedroom and a refugee renter seeking a new life in Canada. Both host and renter will sign a mutually beneficial living arrangement.

Applicants must permanently live in British Columbia. location in the province. The current housing income limits are available online at bchousing.org. -market units.

Household Income Limits:

Singles or couples without dependents: Monthly $2,666.00, Annual $31,992.00. Family* of 4 or less: Monthly $3,333.33, Annual $40,000.00. Family of 5 or more: Monthly $3,700.00, Annual $44,400.00.

The BC Recovery Benefit provided a one-time, tax-free payment of up to $1,000 for eligible families and single parents and up to $500 for eligible individuals. It was calculated based on net income from your 2019 income tax return. Applications were closed effective July 1, 2021.

$1,000 for families with incomes under $125,000. Families earning up to $175,000 will qualify for a reduced benefit amount. Single-parent families also qualify for these benefit amounts. $500 for single people earning less than $62,500.

Through the BC Settlement and Integration Services (BCSIS) program, we provide essential support services, employment guidance, trainings, community referrals, and other support for temporary residents of Canada.

Does Canada give free housing to immigrants? ›

Do refugees get free housing in Canada? No, but many are sponsored by church groups who provide help in that area.

Social assistance

The federal Government-Assisted Refugee Program provides financial support to GARs for such basic expenses as food, accommodation, and clothing and provides resettlement services for up to 1 year.

If the IRB determined you to be a person in need of protection or a Convention refugee or if you received a positive decision on your Pre-Removal Risk Assessment ( PRRA ) from IRCC, you are a Protected Person and may apply for permanent residence with this application.

Currently only Canadian citizens and permanent residents can purchase property in Canada. Canadian provinces do not grant immigration or refugee status. Only the federal government does. It doesn't matter what province you are in.

The Rental Assistance Program provides eligible low-income working families with monthly assistance to help with their monthly rent payments. To qualify, families must have a total before-tax household income of $40,000 or less, were working at some point in the last year, and have at least one dependent child.

For this program, the individual has to the a Canadian citizen with more than 10 years of living citizenship. The individual has to be at least 18 years of age to claim and apply for the benefits. With this, their annual income must be between 20K CAD to 35k USD this sum is set according to the status of the person.

It is for people on low incomes that are most in need, especially those who have recently experienced homelessness, family violence or have other special needs. We also work with other organisations to provide community housing. You can apply for both public and community housing through the Victorian Housing Register.