Housing is a necessity, but sadly too many people in Nanaimo are currently unhoused. Here are some options for them to find support.
Helpful Links
BC Residential Tenancy Branch: Tenants and landlords can find information to guide them from the start of a tenancy to the end. Learn what tools and resources are available and what to do if you need help.
BC Housing Homelessness Prevention Program: Provides portable rent supplements and support services to individuals in identified at-risk groups facing homelessness.
BC Housing Seniors Supportive Housing Program: Provides low-income seniors and people with disabilities accessible housing with supports.
BC Housing Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER): Lower income seniors renting in the private market may be eligible for a rent supplement through SAFER.
BC Housing Subsidized Housing Program: If you live in BC, have a low income and meet eligibility criteria, you may qualify for subsidized housing. Information and application here.
BC Income Assistance Information & Links: The ministry can provide crisis supplements for clients on Income Assistance or Disability.
BC Rent Bank: Access the rent bank and its support services to help stabilize your rental housing during unanticipated short-term financial challenges.
Housing Advocacy Programs
Tillicum Lelum Indigenous Housing Navigator: Provides advocacy, case management, benefit establishment, linkages to services, linkages to stable housing and all other supportive services for urban Aboriginal families and street entrenched homeless; those at-risk of homelessness; and those with a history of living in substandard housing.
Connective Nanaimo Housing First Program: Connects people at risk of homelessness to rental supports. Provides clients with resources in the private housing market, and assists with case management and landlord/tenant mediation.
Mid-Island CMHA Street Reach Program: Offers outreach help for unhoused people, connections to local resources, rental supplements, assistance with finding housing, and support with applications.
NFLA Seniors Housing Information Navigation Ease Program (SHINE): Provides information on housing options for seniors (60+). Advises on tenant rights, supports with applications, attends meetings, and helps with problem solving.
VictimLinkBC: provides information and referral services to all victims of crime and immediate crisis support to victims of family and sexual violence.
Overnight Shelters
Risebridge Overnight Shelter: Inquiries may be done through shelter line at 250-268-8428. Co-ed, 24 beds, 7 days a week, 7pm to 9am. risebridgeproject@gmail.com. Located at 520 Prideaux St.
Island Crisis Care Society: Samaritan Place: 51 studio suites for people experiencing homelessness in the community. Also, one floor features seven units with two beds each that are available exclusively to vulnerable women.
Salvation Army Nanaimo New Hope Centre: 35 Shelter beds for men in Nanaimo. Located at 19 Nicol St.
NFLA St. Peter’s Winter Shelter: 35 Shelter beds for men and women. Open Nov 1 to Mar 29 2024. Located at 301 Machleary St.
Nanaimo Unitarian Shelter: 27 shelter beds for men and women. Located at 595 Townsite Road.
LRCA Shelter: Located at 631 First Avenue (The Rialto) in Ladysmith with 10 shelter beds. Offers a hot evening meal, access to a clean bed, sundries and a shower, laundry.
Friendship Lelum -Aboriginal Youth Safe House: provides short-term shelter for youth aged 12 – 18 years who are experiencing stressful experiences and have been identified as “at-risk”. We provide counselling, advocacy, referrals and support. For information about further services please call 250-753-8266.
Nanaimo Youth Services Association – Waddington: Supportive and affordable apartment building designed for youth in need of support and assistance. Ages 16 to under 19.
Nanaimo Youth Services Association – Rowe House: Tenants who are eligible for Rowe House are those individuals who meet the age criteria and who are employed or going to school on a full-time basis. Ages 19 to 25.
Poverty Advocacy Nanaimo 