New Rules for Supportive Housing Tenancies

Summary#

• This bill changes B.C.’s Residential Tenancy Act to set special rules for “supportive housing” and to clarify some safety and notice rules.

• It creates a new set of tools for supportive housing operators and the Residential Tenancy Branch to handle safety risks, weapons, building access, and tenant belongings, while also setting up minimum compensation rules by regulation.

• Key changes:

  • Defines “supportive housing” (not temporary shelters) and who qualifies, based on an assessment of homelessness risk or need for “housing stability supports” (help such as case management or on‑site services).
  • Lets the government set detailed rules by regulation for supportive housing, including tenancy terms, staff entry, limits on tenant access to parts of a property, handling of personal belongings, weapons-related evictions, and minimum compensation owed in certain cases.
  • Allows faster action when weapons are involved: a landlord can ask the Residential Tenancy Branch for an order to end the tenancy and take back the unit if a tenant or someone they allow on the property has a weapon, or if a weapon is seen in plain view during a lawful visit.
  • Clarifies when staff can enter supportive housing units, including for stated purposes with notice or as set out in the written agreement or regulations.
  • Allows limits on a tenant’s access to parts of the property in set situations and time periods, with possible approval by the Residential Tenancy Branch, including interim (temporary) orders without notice in urgent cases.
  • Allows exceptions (set by regulation) to the usual rule that landlord and tenant must both agree before changing non‑standard terms in a supportive housing tenancy agreement.
  • Requires units to be left reasonably clean and undamaged (other than normal wear and tear) when tenants move out.
  • Updates how notices and records must be delivered in supportive housing in some cases.

What it means for you#

• Tenants in supportive housing

  • You must meet an assessment related to homelessness risk or need for housing supports to qualify.
  • Your building may have special tenancy terms that can be updated by the operator in certain cases set by regulation.
  • Staff entry to your unit will follow clearer rules. Entry can happen for set purposes with notice or if allowed in the agreement.
  • If a weapon is present in your unit or on the property (by you or someone you allowed onto the property), the landlord can ask to end your tenancy and take back the unit through the Residential Tenancy Branch.
  • In certain situations, your access to parts of the building or property can be limited for a set time. The Branch can review or change these limits, and may approve urgent temporary limits.
  • Rules for your personal belongings (for example, storage or pickup after you move out) may be set by regulation.
  • Minimum compensation amounts for certain breaches (set by regulation) may apply if you are owed money under specific provisions.

• Supportive housing operators (landlords)

  • You gain clearer authority, through future regulations, to set and amend some tenancy terms for supportive housing, manage building access, and handle tenant belongings.
  • You can apply for a quick order of possession when weapons are involved. Regulations may set what factors the Branch must consider or when to dismiss an application.
  • You can seek interim (temporary) orders, sometimes without notifying the tenant, to restrict access in urgent cases, subject to procedures set by regulation.
  • Service of notices and records in supportive housing will follow prescribed delivery methods in certain situations.

• Other tenants and neighbors

  • Supportive housing sites may have stronger tools to deal with safety threats, including weapons and high‑risk visitors.
  • Government can set minimum compensation amounts by regulation for some tenancy issues, which may give clearer remedies without lengthy calculations.

• General

  • “Transitional housing” is defined separately and is not treated as supportive housing.
  • Many details will be set later by regulation, so exact rules may roll out over time.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

• Improves safety for residents, staff, and neighbors of supportive housing by allowing faster action on weapons and high‑risk situations.
• Clarifies and standardizes supportive housing rules across the province, reducing confusion for tenants and operators.
• Lets the Residential Tenancy Branch oversee and adjust access limits and timelines, adding checks and balances.
• Minimum compensation set by regulation can make remedies faster and clearer for tenants when something goes wrong.
• Tailored entry rules and service-of-notice rules reflect the unique needs of supportive housing while keeping tenant rights in place.
• Flexible regulation‑making allows government to respond quickly as supportive housing models and risks change.

Opponents' View#

• Gives too much power to cabinet and operators to change tenancy terms without tenant agreement, which could weaken tenant rights.
• Weapons‑based evictions may be too broad and could lead to loss of housing for very vulnerable people, including due to the actions of visitors.
• Allowing interim access restrictions without notice may limit a tenant’s ability to respond and could be misused.
• Expansive regulation‑making could create a patchwork of rules that are hard for tenants to understand or challenge.
• New definitions about who is “permitted” on the property may make tenants responsible for others’ conduct in ways they cannot fully control.