The first step in renting is to complete a housing application. Applicants are then put onto a waiting list and when a unit becomes available, an applicant is chosen from the waiting list.
Applications are available on our website at https://cmhavernon.ca/housing-services/ and clicking on the “Housing Application” link which can be filled out and submitted online or faxed (250-549-8446). Additionally, applications can be picked up at our office at 3100 28th Ave, Vernon.

Applicants are categorized into one of two income levels for the purpose of determining what rental subsidy the household will qualify for. Secondly, each applicant is placed on a waiting list for the size and type of unit they qualify for i.e – 4 bedrooms, family, and disabled.

There is a BIG demand for affordable housing. The number of applicants is much greater than the number of units available. The length of time an applicant waits will vary depending on the type of request and the number of units available. It is not uncommon for applicants to wait a number of years. New placements can only take place when a current tenant moves out. CMHA does not have units available for emergency situations, units are always appropriately filled to maintain full occupancy.

CMHA is not able to provide this information since new applications are taken every week and the priority of placement is constantly changing. As a result, CMHA only reviews the priority of the waiting list when a unit becomes available which could be many months or years.

Placements are made from the waiting list and are based on a number of factors. These include but are not limited to:

• Availability: What type of unit is coming up (i.e. 1, 2, 3 or 4 bedrooms?)
• Eligibility: What type of subsidy is available for this unit
• Suitability: Are there any physical limitations of the applicant such as stairs.
• Need Point Score: Guidelines are set by BC Housing to objectively evaluate the needs of each applicant. The guidelines consider: the cost of rent as a percentage of income, current living conditions, assets, length of time on waiting list, etc.
• References: Good references from prior landlords are an important factor in the evaluation process.

CMHA allows small caged animals such as hamsters or birds.

Cats, dogs and rabbits are not allowed.

Registered service dogs that perform a specific task (i.e owner is blind and requires a seeing eye dog) and are certified, trained, or accredited through a recognized program (PADS etc) are allowed.

Emotional and therapy animals are not recognized or allowed.

If you are offered a rent-geared to income unit, the amount you will pay depends on the size of your family and your gross household income (income before taxes). Payments are generally set at approximately 30% gross household income. Debt load is not taken into consideration when payments are calculated. You may qualify for a small hear allowance.

For rent-geared-to-income units, payments are re-calculated when household income changes. Payments may also be re-calculated when there is a change in the number of occupants in the household. If a household’s income rises beyond the eligibility guidelines, a tenant may be asked to move out within a reasonable time frame.

Most often the timing of placements relates to the differences in eligibility for one of the units. CMHA manages a wide variety of housing units with 1, 2, 3 or 4 bedrooms. Some units are for families and some for those with disabilities. In addition to the configuration of the units, each unit is further categorized into one of 2 income levels. In all, CMHA has 5 categories of units and each application is filled according to the eligibility for one of the categories.

When a unit becomes available, only the applications eligible for that unit are reviewed and current eligibility is confirmed. Due to the complexity of determining eligibility for each category, we ask that applicants contact CMHA to update their file when they have a change of income, accommodation, phone number or family size.

As difficult as some situations are, there are always applicants with equal or greater needs. When choosing between very needy households, CMHA must rely on the most current information supplied by the applicants and carefully review all the factors noted in point #6 above.

KEEP YOUR FILE UP TO DATE

If the office receives no contact from the applicant within a 12-month period, the application is marked inactive. (this means the applicant will not be considered if a unit becomes available).
If a call is received from an applicant after the 12 months period, the application is archived. (this means the application is removed from the wait list).

If you no longer desire to live in a CMHA housing unit, please let the office know so that your application can be removed from the application waiting list.

It is important to remember that things move slowly in regard to housing, and it is for that reason we ask people to only update annually (once a year) except for cases where relevant household information has changed. Weekly or monthly calls to check on your application has no bearing on an applicants chances to get in as only after an entire year do we mark an application as inactive.

If you are needing to update your housing application or are advocating for someone and want to either email additional information or support them please email [email protected] or call 250-542-3114 (ext 214).

CMHA is one of a number of affordable housing organizations in Vernon. Since the various organizations do not share waiting lists, we encourage applicants to contact each group in order to apply for housing.
Other housing societies include:

1. Vernon Native Housing Society – http://www.vernonnativehousing.ca/ or 250-542.2834
2. Kindale Developmental Association – https://www.kindale.net/ or 250-546-3005
3. Turning points Collaborative Society- http://turningpoints.ngo/ or 250-542-3555