Back to: HIV Housing Toolkit
Most parts of the toolkit can be useful for anyone living with a chronic or highly stigmatized health condition such as HIV who wants to know more about how housing works in BC. Please share widely!
Toolkit Navigation
If you are accessing this toolkit from a laptop computer or tablet, you can use the menu on the right side of your screen to access the different modules.
If you are accessing from a mobile phone, the toolkit menu for navigating the modules can be found at the bottom of each page.
You have the option of moving freely between each module and the different sections within each module, or, you can treat it like a mini-course and go through the kit sequentially from start to finish and ‘Mark Complete’ along the way in each section and/or module.
Who this Toolkit Aims to Serve
The goal of the toolkit is to support housing information needs of people living with HIV (PLHIV) in BC and the people in community-based groups, organizations, and institutions who support PLHIV. The housing needs of all PLHIV is important and the toolkit occasionally highlights resources for some focus populations who might experience increased barriers and challenges in securing and maintaining stable housing. We acknowledge there are other focus populations and many more HIV intersectional identities and these are some featured in this toolkit:
Indigenous People
Housing resources for Indigenous people are important for supporting connection to community, culture, family, and wellbeing across urban, rural, remote, and on-reserve settings. Indigenous-led and culturally grounded housing approaches can strengthen stability, belonging, and access to services while recognizing that many Indigenous communities continue to face barriers related to housing availability, infrastructure, affordability, and culturally safe supports. Supporting Indigenous housing priorities also helps advance self-determination and community wellbeing.
Smaller Urban, Rural and Remote Communities
Housing resources are especially important in smaller urban, rural, and remote communities where housing availability is often limited and access to services, transportation, healthcare, and employment can be more difficult. People in these communities may face overcrowding, aging housing stock, higher costs, limited rental options, and fewer emergency or supportive housing services. Strengthening housing resources helps improve community stability, health outcomes, safety, and equitable access to essential supports regardless of geography.
People New to Canada
Access to housing information is essential for people new to Canada as they navigate unfamiliar systems, rental processes, and tenant rights. Newcomers may face barriers related to language, limited local networks, financial constraints, or a lack of knowledge about available supports and housing options. Housing resources provided through community organizations can help people find safe and affordable housing, avoid scams or exploitation, understand leases and legal protections, and connect with settlement and social supports.
People Transitioning From Incarceration
Access to stable, affordable housing is a critical foundation for people transitioning from incarceration. Safe housing supports successful community reintegration by improving access to employment, healthcare, income supports, family reconnection, and social services, while also reducing the risk of homelessness, substance-related harms, and re-involvement with the justice system. Housing stability can create the conditions needed for people to rebuild routines, relationships, safety, and long-term wellbeing.
Acknowledgement
We would also like to thank and acknowledge the groups and individuals who provided feedback, expertise, and external review on the contents of many of these modules, including: people with lived experiences, staff of the BC Non-Profit Housing Association, staff of Positive Living North, staff of the Residential Tenancy Branch, and staff of First United.