(Facebook/Kamloops Elizabeth Fry Society).

By Aaron Schulze

Rent Bank

Province-wide rent bank system being implemented with help from Kamloops and District Elizabeth Fry Society

Nov 23, 2021 | 10:13 AM

KAMLOOPS — A program meant to prevent homelessness that was introduced in Kamloops and area is going to be provided across the province.

Kamloops and District Elizabeth Fry Society (Kamloops E-Fry) will assist the B.C. government in the B.C. Rent Bank, a project of the Vancity Community Foundation. Communities that did not previously have access to rent bank loans and services – including Vancouver Island, the South Okanagan and Northern B.C. – can receive assistance to stay in stable housing.

The Kamloops E-Fry rent bank is intended to prevent homelessness by covering rent, utilities or damage deposits for low to moderate income individuals and families who are renting and in financial urgency. Non-interest loans of up to $4,000 – depending on the residence the renters are in – are paid directly out to utility companies or landlords.

“I’d like to extend my gratitude to the B.C. Rent Bank and [Kamloops E-Fry] for its work to help people in financial distress in our province,” Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing David Eby said. “Rent banks are temporary solutions for some people in housing crisis. While they are not the ultimate solution to affordable housing generally, the services rent banks offer are vital to prevent homelessness and must be available to all British Columbians.”

The B.C. Rent Bank, which is supported by $10 million from the B.C. government, is working to secure long-term partners in each of the newly covered 15 regions to provide localized services and support the delivery of other wraparound services to rent bank clients. Kamloops E-Fry is centralizing rent bank services throughout the province on an interim basis.

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“We are excited to take on this interim role because we understand first-hand that there is a deep need for rent bank services and being able to receive these applications translates into many more renters having access to emergency funding to stabilize their housing,” Kamloops E-Fry Executive Director Cassandra Schwarz said.

Kamloops E-Fry expected a greater need for rent bank systems beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.