Most of your housing related questions are answered below.
Those who wish to rent a unit with the Society must first complete an application. When a current tenant gives notice and a unit becomes available, applicants are placed from an applicant database.
The Society of Hope does not provide emergency housing. Please contact the Kelowna Women’s Resource Centre at 250-762-2355 or Kelowna Community Resources at 250-763-8008 for current listings of emergency housing.
The Society is not able to provide this information. New placements can only be made when one of our existing tenants gives notice to move. The Society is unable to predict when tenants will give this notice, so the Society is unable to provide information on how long it may take to get housed. The Society only reviews applications when a unit becomes available. Placements are made based on a number of different variables such as income, age, family configuration, and need. It is not a linear, first come, first served process, therefore the priority of placement is constantly changing as new applications are being received through the BC Housing Registry.
The Society rents 432 units on 10 sites in the Central Okanagan.
The Society operates under a number of Housing programs but basically provides two types of rentals, Subsidized Rentals and Affordable Rentals. Subsidized Rental Units are approximately 30% of the applicant's gross monthly income, and Affordable Rental Units are set at a flat rental rate, typically 10% - 15% below market rental rates. For some of these Affordable Rental Units, Seniors aged 60 years or older, and working families may qualify for S.A.F.E.R. or R.A.P. subsidies directly through BC Housing. Please see www.bchousing.org for more information.
The Society has rentals for a very wide income range. There are no minimum income requirements for Subsidized Rental Units, but there are maximum income caps. Household incomes for Subsidized Rental Units must remain below "Housing Income Limits" set by BC Housing. The Society's Affordable Rental Units do have minimum income requirements which vary greatly as they are dependent on the flat rental rate on the specific unit. Household incomes for Affordable Rental Units must remain below "Low and Moderate Income Limits" set by BC Housing.
The Society checks references that have been supplied by the applicant. Having good rental references is very helpful to an applicant.
The Society is transitioning all housing projects toward non-smoking buildings. Smoking and/or Vaping tobacco and/or cannabis is not permitted in common areas of the building, in units, or on balconies.
Sorry, No. Parking is charged above rent. Parking rates vary and are site specific. The Site Manager will provide details when a unit becomes available. As a guideline, covered parking is $35.00 per month – open air parking is $10.00 per month.
All tenants must agree to be on Pre-authorized Debit (PAD).
Sorry, No. All rentals are 100% independent living - each unit is self-contained and has its own kitchen. There are common “Community rooms” for Tenants that desire to put on a coordinated event.
The Society encourages Tenants to set up Tenant Organizations to conduct social events. Some sites have active groups, but others do not.
Sorry, No. Each Tenant must make arrangements with Fortis BC or BC Hydro for their own electricity.
This varies from site to site. Many units are plumbed for a washer and dryer. Common laundry rooms are provided on properties without in-suite laundry hook-ups. These sites have a laundry fee within the unit rent.
Sorry, No - due to fire risk.
The Society has a pet policy. A tenant may keep the following animals as a pet:
Certified Service animals with "Guide Animal Certification" may also be considered on society sites.
One dog or one cat is permitted at both Cedar Court and Pinewood Villas, in Lake Country, providing the Tenant enters into a “Pet Agreement.”
No, but Tenants are strongly encouraged to carry adequate insurance coverage for fire, smoke, water damage and theft, on their own possessions. Tenants may be held liable for accidental injury, damage or breakage arising from the Tenant's willful or negligent act or that of their guests. Some residents are eligible to enroll in an affordable group tenants insurance program offered through BC Housing.
The Society of Hope | Copyright 2019