Michael is retired from a decades-long career as a bus driver. He lives in a co-op in East Vancouver where he serves on their board of directors and on a local six-co-op committee. The co-op provides 33 homes. In Vancouver, the median amount of rental assistance provided to eligible co-op households was $540/month in 2024. 

Michael says that without this rental assistance, he could in no way afford to live in the same city he worked for all those years. “Being in a building with mixed-income families including seniors such as myself, young families, often with a single parent, and others, offers me a stable community, safety, and friendship.” 

Supporting a stable source of rental assistance means a retired bus driver can remain in his home and continue to make positive contributions to his community. 

“In my 28 years of property management,” says Teresa Karisse of Casa Housing Services, “I have never seen a program so directly tied to both human well-being and financial sustainability.” 

Teresa provides property management services to several co-ops in Edmonton. In each co-op, about 20 to 25% of the households rely on rental assistance to afford their monthly housing charge. In Edmonton in 2024, the median amount of rental assistance that eligible co-op households received was $516/month. But according to Teresa, the program does much more than provide financial support. “It preserves dignity, community, and stability. I have witnessed firsthand the relief and security it provides to families struggling to make ends meet.” 

A stable rental assistance program means housing stability for families and strong, inclusive communities. 

Castlegreen Housing Co-op in Thunder Bay, Ontario  has 215 co-op homes. 83 households receive rental assistance, including lone-parent families, seniors and people living with disabilities. The median rental assistance provided to eligible households is $510 per month. 

The co-op’s calendar is full of volunteer-led activities that bring the community together, like gardening and skating. “We strive to be an inclusive, diverse community for all,” says co-op manager Sharon Carolan McKinnon. With such a strong sense of community, Sharon worries what would happen if these 83 families didn’t have the assistance they rely on. 

A stable rental assistance fund means families can continue to thrive in a community where they belong. 

Living in a co-op in Edmonton for several years, Stephanie saw the positive impact that rental assistance made in some of her neighbours’ lives. Everything changed drastically  when her husband’s health left him unable to work, leaving her as the sole provider. Rental assistance, says Stephanie, “was the only reason we were able to keep a roof over our heads.” 

“It allowed me to manage our bills and ensure my children were fed while I worked to support the family. While finances remained tight, the program made our situation manageable and provided the stability we desperately needed.” 

Rental assistance means stability during times of crisis, keeping families housed.  

Audrey was fleeing domestic abuse when she was seven months pregnant. Finding a co-op home with rental assistance available was to Audrey a blessing. “I had to start over completely while preparing to welcome my child.” The co-op “gave my son and me a safe and stable place where we could rest and rebuild our lives.” 

Audrey feels the rental assistance program has helped create an inclusive and supportive community within the co-op. “It has made a meaningful difference in my life, allowing me to raise my son in a safe, affordable home which is my top priority.” 

Rental assistance means keeping a parent and child healthy and safe. Renewing rental assistance now will prevent displacement. 

Mathieu knew what it was like to grow up below the poverty line, where “every penny counted.” He credits their co-op home and rental assistance with helping them through difficult times. 

“My parents definitely did the best they could with what they had at the time, but it was really hard for them to stay afloat despite all their hard work. The co-op was able to provide us with a safe roof over our heads, especially during times of need. Honestly, if this help had not been available to us, I’m sure my parents would not have made it to where they are today.” 

Protecting the affordable homes we already have will help families weather challenging times.