Disability advocates calling on province to raise shelter rates in B.C.

It has been an ongoing battle for people living on disability in British Columbia, as inflation and prices continue to rise — but assistance rates remain the same.

“It is really scary to be disabled in British Columbia; we are in deep poverty,” said Mary-Jean Belanger, Persons with Disabilities (PWD) advocate.

In 2023, the province raised shelter rates for people living on PWD, from $375 a month to $500 — but it’s a stark contrast to the current rental prices that many in B.C. pay to have a roof over their head.

Mary-Jean Belanger, who receives disability assistance and works part-time, has penned a new petition to provincial leaders — calling for immediate revisions to raise shelter allowances.

“I want them to make a policy change where the shelter rates will stay as the current market rate goes up,” she said.

“Wherever you live, I want the shelter rate to match the average one-bedroom apartment in that city.”

Sentiment is echoed by the BC Poverty Reduction Coalition

The sentiment is echoed by the BC Poverty Reduction Coalition, which has run its long-time “Raise the Rates” campaign to advocate for people living on disability or social assistance who are falling through the gaps.

“Even at the poverty line, people would have a hard time meeting all of their basic needs in British Columbia, but we’re seeing that PWD and income assistance are still thousands of dollars a year below that, and it’s keeping people trapped in legislative poverty,” explained Sacia Burton, advocacy and outreach manager at BC Poverty Reduction Coalition.

For folks like James Schultz, living on PWD assistance, he believes the disability caps just aren’t enough to cover basic needs.

“When you factor in bills, property tax, and everything else like that, it adds up it’s going to be more than $500,” he said.

“Therefore, any little bit extra comes out of my shelter bit. When you factor in that they haven’t raised the support part of PWD in four years alone, groceries and everything else cost money, and I’m left with nothing.”

While advocates push for change to their elected officials, the B.C. Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, Sheila Malcomson, tells The Leader Spirit in a statement, “affordable housing remains a priority for our government, especially for people on a fixed income.”

Petition will be presented to legislature in late October

She says that more action is being taken to make housing more affordable.

“This includes building more housing, the rental protection fund to preserve existing affordable rental housing, and expanding the rental assistance program and shelter aid for elderly renters. While these actions are making a difference, we know that there is more to do, and our poverty reduction plan guides that vital work.”

Belanger says her petition to raise shelter rates will be presented to the legislature in late October.

She is hoping that it will gain enough support to make a difference in the lives of those living on disability in the province.

“They have a right to have a home, they have human needs just like everybody else, we’re human beings. We need a home and we’re not going to get it on $500 a month,” she said.