Online Learning Events
OLE Pathway: Operations

A Closer Look at Rent Banks in BC

Rent banks are known for their effectiveness in the prevention of homelessness for low to moderate income earners. This one-hour storytelling session will be a fantastic opportunity for you to hear from a staff member of a local rent bank, and from a renter who benefited the service. Coupled with this, you will have the chance to hear from BC Rent Bank Project Lead, Melissa Giles, as she shares information about the development of a larger provincial rent bank system. In addition to stories and information there will be a short question and answer period where you can pose questions to the panelists. If you are looking for a resource for tenants who have faced a crisis and whose housing is at risk this is a great session for you to attend!

Details

Date:

October 21, 2020

Time:

10:00 am - 11:00 am

Cost:

$20

Member Cost:

Free

Who should attend

Front line support staff; agencies wanting to know more about rent bank services and who it benefits

What you will learn

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

  • Define a rent bank is and how it can help low-moderate income earners in BC
  • Hear firsthand stories from people who have benefited from a rent bank
  • Understand more about BC Rent Bank and its objectives
  • Identify where in BC there are rent banks and how to access services

Presenters

Melissa Giles
Project Lead – BC Rent Bank

Melissa Giles is the Project Lead with BC Rent Bank, a Vancity Community Foundation project funded by the Province of BC focused on supporting the development of a provincial rent bank system. She has almost 20 years of experience working in the non-profit sector, both domestically and internationally, and is passionate about social justice and housing affordability issues. Melissa is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Leadership at Royal Roads University.

Panelist

Bruce Foster
Rent Bank Case Manager – Purpose Society