My Place supportive housing in Vernon (photo courtesy of B.C. Housing)

By Liam Verster

safety changes

B.C. to permit wellness checks, guest policies at supportive housing facilities

Jan 18, 2024 | 3:15 PM

People who live and work at supportive housing facilities in B.C. will see safety improvements come into effect this year.

The NDP government is making changes to the Residential Tenancy Regulation (RTR) to clearly define supportive housing and exempt supportive housing units from sections of the Residential Tenancy Act (RTA) that prohibit guest policies and wellness checks.

The changes will allow operators to manage who enters the building, and permit staff the ability to enter a tenant’s room to confirm their health, well-being and safety, when needed. Neither of these actions were permitted under the government’s previous RTA.

“These changes are being made to ensure the safety of everyone living in supportive housing, staffing these sites and the community at large,” Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing, said.

“Everyone deserves safe and stable housing. We are grateful to our partners who provide supportive housing in B.C. and will continue supporting them, as we continually improve the services that people rely on.”

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A 2018 report from B.C.’s Rental Housing Task Force recommended that the RTA be changed to allow for wellness checks and guest policies in order to protect staff and residents, especially those dealing with substance-use challenges.

“These changes are very welcome and allow us, as supportive-housing providers, to manage our buildings more effectively, help keep our residents safe and enhance the general well-being of our housing sites as well as neighbourhood security,” Julian Daly, CEO of Our Place Society, said.

“Everyone wins with these changes.”

Operational standards for conducting good-faith wellness checks and for implementing reasonable guest policies are being developed by the government and B.C. Housing.

Supportive-housing operators will be informing the tenants of the changes, and those who disagree with or have concerns about the new policies can follow the complaint resolution process all supportive-housing providers have.

The changes will come into place on Feb. 28, 2024.