About
The Reaching Home Program supports low-income Métis Citizens who are homeless, precariously housed, or facing housing instability, by providing housing loss prevention and housing stabilization services.
Eligibility
Applicant must:
- Be an MNBC Citizen (verified by providing a copy of their MNBC Citizenship card).
- Be experiencing homelessness or be at imminent risk of homelessness.
- Be a resident of B.C. and provide a copy of one piece of Government of British Columbia-issued photo identification, such as a BCID or driver’s license, to verify.
- Have a total gross annual household income of $54,000 or less.
- Not have assets of more than $2,500.00 (excluding a personal vehicle).
- Not be a homeowner, be listed on any land title, or rent multiple properties.
- Not be receiving financial support from another Ministry of Poverty Reduction program.
Meeting the eligibility requirements and completing an application does not guarantee that you will receive financial support. Emergency assistance is provided based on the needs of all applicants as well as a monthly program budget. If you are not approved for financial support, staff may still provide housing navigation services.
What the Service Provides
- Housing crisis interventions and eviction prevention support.
- First month’s rent and damage deposit assistance for those exiting homelessness (if ineligible for other provincial funding streams).
- Assistance with housing set-up costs including basic furnishings and household items not covered through another MNBC program.
- Assistance with transportation costs to access emergency accommodations.
- Emergency medical costs not eligible through other MNBC programs or the British Columbia Medical Services Plan.
- Costs necessary to secure and maintain employment that are not covered through other MNBC, provincial, or federal government programs or initiatives.
- Emergency grocery and basic needs assistance relating to housing loss or instability.
- Storage locker fee assistance capped at $500 per fiscal year.
- Costs to purchase documents identified by the MNBC Ministry of Citizenship needed to complete an MNBC Citizenship Application.
- Financial support may be provided for temporary accommodation costs where no other temporary shelter support can be secured.
Reaching Home Program navigation services include:
- Information on how to conduct housing searches and complete the rental application process.
- Information on local shelters and transitional support services.
- Information on community resources and support programs.
- Information and referrals to other relevant MNBC programs and resources.
- Assistance with the acquisition of documents identified by the MNBC Ministry of Citizenship that are required to complete a Citizenship Application.
Availability
Reaching Home Program does not cover:
- Credit card bills, loans, and recurring debit payments.
- Car payments, repairs, and maintenance.
- Rental unit repairs and expenses that should be covered under tenants’ insurance or are the responsibility of the landlord.
- Fines, court costs, and legal fees that are not associated with an Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB) case filing that is being supported through our Ministry of Poverty Reduction tenant advocacy work.
- Mortgage, strata fee, or property tax payments.
MNBC reserves the right to determine eligibility on a case-by-case basis.
How to Access or Apply
Complete the application form and email it along with a copy of your MNBC Citizenship card and one piece of Government of British Columbia-issued photo identification, to reachinghome@mnbc.ca or mail it to #380-13401 108 Avenue, Surrey, B.C., V3T 5T3.
If technology is a struggle for you, please contact MNBC, your local Métis Chartered Community, or a family member for assistance.