City Council approves $500,000 in grant funding to support renters in Vancouver
Today, Vancouver City Council approved $500,000 in grants to non-profit organizations that help renters understand their rights, stabilize their housing and avoid displacement. These organizations provide critical services that strengthen housing stability. This investment advances the City of Vancouver’s commitment to building inclusive and supportive communities.
“Supporting vulnerable renters, including seniors who face some of the highest risks of displacement, is an important part of the City’s work to keep people housed,” said Mayor Ken Sim. “This investment will help community organizations provide legal support, advocacy and housing stability services so residents can stay in their homes and communities.”
Through the Renter Services Grants, $500,000 has been allocated to 16 non-profit organizations. The approved grants fund projects that respond to some of the most urgent needs of vulnerable renters and that have the greatest potential for creating lasting positive change.
Funds will be used to support a wide variety of work including:
- TRAC Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre Society - $75,000 was granted to provide Vancouver renters with free legal services ranging from workshops, webinars and phone assistance to summary advice and representation at Residential Tenancy Branch dispute resolution proceedings.
- Access Pro Bono Society of British Columbia - $45,000 was granted to help Vancouver tenants facing eviction by offering free legal advice, representation and referrals at all levels of court. By bridging systemic gaps—such as lack of legal knowledge, disability and language barriers—the project empowers renters to assert their rights and remain housed.
- Rainbow Refugee Society - $30,000 was granted to the Queer Housing Advocacy and Support Program which provides LGBTQIA+ refugees and newcomers in Vancouver with information, navigation and advocacy to access safe, affordable and inclusive housing.
- Downtown Eastside SRO Collaborative Society - $25,000 was granted to the Chinatown Tenant Education and Empowerment Project which assists residents of Chinatown SRO and Benevolent Society buildings by providing educational workshops on topics including renters’ rights and responsibilities, resolving interpersonal conflicts, improving habitability and offering proactive support to prevent eviction and strengthen housing security.
Since 2020, Council has approved just over $3.6M annual Renter Services Grants that have supported 88 grant recipients. The 2025 Renter Services Grants allocated $500,000 across 14 non-profits and that investment supported:
- Over 1,000 seniors in Vancouver with access to information, advocacy and representation when their tenancy was at risk
- Approximately 200 youth gained independent living skills and secured or maintained their housing
- More than 4,500 renters with limited financial means were supported with the knowledge and legal advocacy services necessary to assert their rights and remain housed
Council further approved an allocation of $500,000 from the Empty Homes Tax Reserve to fund the Renter Services Grant program for 2027.