The City of Vancouver plans to open a Renter Services Centre at Howe and Smithe in downtown Vancouver.
The office will bring together several community organizations which support renters under one roof, and is expected to offer a variety of services, including:
- legal support for renters facing eviction
- education for renters to learn their rights and responsibilities
- help understanding city and provincial policies
- help completing applications for housing
The office will also help connect renters with the Vancouver Rent Bank, which provides loans to help pay rent, damage deposits, or utility bills.
Approximately 36 per cent of Vancouver households rent their homes, and thousands of new rental units are currently under construction in Metro Vancouver.
A survey on the future Renter Services Centre is available on the City of Vancouver website, and is open for input until August 13.
