Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can I rent an affordable housing unit with ENFHS?
   Those who wish to rent a unit with ENFHS must first complete a housing application. Applicants are put onto the waiting list and when a unit becomes available, an applicant is selected from the waiting list. You can download an Application Form by clicking here.
   
   Alternately, to receive an application by mail, you need to send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to ENFHS.  If you down-load an application, it still must be mailed to ENFHS as we require a signed copy.

2. Do I qualify for affordable housing and what type of unit would I get?
   Qualification for subsidized housing is based on a number of criteria, such as income and amount paid currently for rent. Each Applicant is placed on a waiting list for the size and type of unit they qualify for (ie 1 - 4 bedrooms, family, seniors, disabled).

3. How long will it take to get placed in a unit?
   There is a demand for affordable housing. The number of applicants is much greater than that of the number of units available. The length of an Applicant's wait will vary depending on the request and the number of units available. The average wait period is six (6) months to two (2) years. A new placement can only take place when a current tenant moves out.

4. I need a place by the end of the month, can you help me?
   Unfortunately ENFHS does not provide emergency housing.

5. Where am I on the wait list?
   ENFHS is not able to provide this information since new applications are taken every day and priority of placement is constantly changing. As a result, ENFHS only reviews the priority of the wait list when a unit comes available.

6. How does ENFHS choose Applicants for the next available unit?
   Placements are made from the waiting list based on a series of factors. These include, but are not limited to:

   • Availability: What size of unit is coming available (ie 1, 2, 3, 4).
   • Suitability: Are there any physical limitations for the applicant or members of the applicant’s family, such as stairs?
   • Need Point Score: Guidelines 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 the wait list, etc.
   • References and Credit Checks: Good References from prior landlords are an important factor in the evaluation process. References and credit checks will be done.

7. Can I keep my pets?
   ENFHS has a no dog / no cat pet policy at all buildings except Alma Blackwell, where either one cat or small dog may be accepted.

8. How much will I be expected to pay?
   If you are offered a rent-geared-to-income (RGI) unit, the amount you will pay depends on the size of your family, whether you are on Government Economic Assistance or based your gross household combined income (before taxes and deductions). Tenant Rent Contributions (TRC), the amount of rent the tenant pays, are set at 30% gross household combined income. Debt load is not taken into consideration when TRC is calculated.
   

9. What happens if my income changes? Will I have to move out?
   For rent-geared-to-income (RGI) units, TRC's may be re-calculated when household income changes. TRC's also must be re-calculated when there is a change in the number of occupants in the household.
   

10. How can someone who applied after I did get into a unit before me?
    Most often the timing of placement relates to the differences in eligibility for one of the units. ENFHS manages a wide variety of housing units with 1, 2, 3, or 4 bedrooms. Some units are for families, some are for seniors and some are for those with disability.
    
    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, we ask that Applicants contact ENFHS to update their file when they have change to income, accommodation, or family size or at least every 6 months even if there are no changes.

11. What do I need to do?
    If the office receives no contact from the applicant for a 6 month period, the application will become inactive.  You need to call every 6 months so we know you are still interested in being on the waiting list!  (At the end of 12 months if there still has been no contact, the application will be permanently removed from the wait list and it will be destroyed and you will have to re-apply.)
    
    If you no longer desire to live in an ENFHS unit, please let the office know, so your application can be removed immediately from the waiting list.  This will save us time when looking for someone to fill an available unit.
    
    It is important you keep in contact with ENFHS to report any changes to your:
    
    Phone Number
    Household Size
    Gross Household Income
    Address
    Housing Requirements