For Applicants
What Do I Qualify For?
M’akola Rent Geared to Income (MRGI)
Monthly tenant rent contribution amounts and subsidy contributions for MRGI homes are determined based on household income and composition.
M’akola Low End of Market (MLEM)
Monthly rents for MLEM homes are set by M’akola and do not change based on household income and composition. Applicants must meet household income limit guidelines to qualify for MLEM homes.
M’akola Assisted Living (MAL)
M’akola Assisted Living (MAL) homes are for seniors, Elders, and people with physical disabilities who would benefit from scheduled home support and hospitality services.
M’akola Rent Geared to Income (MRGI)
Monthly tenant rent contribution amounts and subsidy contributions for MRGI homes are determined based on household income and composition. Typically, the tenant rent contribution is determined based on 30 per cent of a household’s income or a portion thereof. This is determined at the beginning of the rental term and reviewed annually.
Household income
- Income calculation is based on household composition (adults and dependents 18 years of age and under) and earned income.
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These calculations are adjusted further if a household income is impacted by: receiving income assistance, season employment income, household adults receiving pensions, and heat allowances.
Household Unit
- Individuals, couples, or families that live in a M’akola Rent Geared to Income home are referred to as a household. An appropriate unit size depends on household size.
- Studio homes are appropriate for individuals.
- 1 bedroom homes are appropriate for individuals or couples.
- 2+ bedroom larger homes are appropriate for families with a dependent 18 years of age or younger in their care.
- If a household has multiple family groups, each family group will have a rent portion. The household group’s portions combined total the entire rent amount for the home.
What M’akola cannot Help With
- M’akola cannot help update your housing file with BC Housing. All updates regarding your household, income, and housing situation must go directly through BC Housing; they can be contacted at 1-800-257-7756.
What M’akola can Help With
- M’akola can help with unit and location information about our homes. We can provide further information on how rents are calculated and where you would be eligible for housing within our society. We can also send documents to BC Housing on your behalf to be added to your application.
- Our rent rates are calculated in accordance with BC Housing’s Rent Calculation Guide
- For MRGI homes, M’akola selects from the BC Housing waitlist.
- To contact M’akola’s Applications team call 1-877-590-0204 ext. 1 or email us at applications@makola.bc.ca
BC Housing Expectations
- Housing Codes – Each of our buildings has a BC Housing code assigned to it. You can find these codes beside each listing in our Locations menu.
- BC Housing – To apply for our subsidized housing a live/active BC Housing application is required.
- BC Housing will confirm when your application is live or contact you if there are missing items that need to be submitted to complete your housing file.
- The applications department at M’akola will contact only eligible applicants when homes become available at the locations where housing is offered.
- A timeline for when you will be contacted for a housing opportunity cannot be provided as the waitlist is based on need for housing and time on the waitlist, which is continually changing.
You can learn more about BC Housing’s Application process for subsidized housing here
Rent Calculation Examples
Employment Income Calculation
| $900 | Biweekly employment income for adults in household |
| $23,400 | x26 pay periods per year |
| $1,950 | Divided by 12 months per year = Average monthly income |
| $585 | Rent Contribution 30% of Calculated Income |
Income Assistance 2 adults + 3 children
| $820 | Flat Rent for family of 5 applies |
| | Confirmed by receipt of Confirmation of Assistance document |
| - $38 | Less Heat Allowance |
| $782 | Total Household Tenant Rent Contribution |
M’akola Low End of Market (MLEM)
Monthly rents for MLEM homes are set by M’akola and do not change based on household income and composition. Applicants must meet household income limit guidelines to qualify for MLEM homes.
Household income
- M’akola Low End of Market (MLEM) homes are for low to moderate-income individuals, couples, and families. For this reason MLEM homes have minimum and maximum income requirements.
- The rent rate is less than the private market and are subject to rent increases following the guidelines of the Tenancy Act.
Household Unit
- Individuals, couples, or families that live in a MLEM home are referred to as a household. An appropriate unit size depends on household size.
- Studio homes are appropriate for individuals,
- 1 bedroom homes are appropriate for individuals or couples
- To be eligible for a 2+ bedroom home families need to have at least 1 dependent 19-years-old or younger in their care.
Who Does Not Qualify
- Applicants with lower income (ex. Income Assistance or Pension) may not meet the income criteria for a MLEM home and should apply for subsidized housing through BC Housing.
- Applicants with incomes that exceed the maximum income limit would not be eligible.
- Income criteria is dependent on the rent of the home and listed on the rental ad when rentals become available.
Next Steps For Application
- M’akola advertises MLEM homes on online classified sites like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, Used.ca, and Kijiji when they become available.
- Eligibility requirements are included in the ads.
- If applicants meet those requirements a follow-up response can be sent to request a showing and to complete an application.
- Only eligible applicants will be contacted to schedule a viewing and provided with additional information.
What M’akola can Help With
We can help you confirm unit and location information about our homes, and if you would qualify based on your income.
To contact M’akola’s Affordable Rent team call 1-877-590-0204 ext. 1 or email us at affordablerent@makola.bc.ca
M’akola Assisted Living (MAL)
We have two assisted living locations – Jesken Aerie facility in Victoria and the Ts’i’ts’uwatul’ Lelum facility in Cowichan.
M’akola Assisted Living (MAL) homes are for seniors, Elders, and people with physical disabilities who would benefit from scheduled home support and hospitality services (Lunch, dinner, and snacks provided, daily recreation activities, weekly housekeeping, and 24-hour Front Desk staff).
Household income
- MAL homes are subsidized and rent is based on 70% of the household’s after-tax income (net income).
- Residents also pay a monthly Hydro and Cable fee with rent.
Household Unit
- Individuals or couples who live in a MAL home are referred to as a household.
- An appropriate unit size depends on household size and needs.
- A regular suite is appropriate for an individual.
- Double suites are appropriate for couples.
- Wheelchair-accessible suite is appropriate for individuals who use or require a wheelchair.
Who does not qualify
- Applicants under 65 who do not have a physical disability or those who require 24-hour care and are unable to direct their own care.
Next Steps For Application Through Island Health
- Island Health application is required for MAL home. Please apply to Island Health directly and they will confirm when your application is live or contact you if there are missing items that need to be submitted to complete your application.
- To apply contact Island Health Toll Free at 1-888-533-2273 or online: Island Health – Assisted Living Services
- Island Health refers applicants to M’akola if they meet the eligibility criteria for an available suite.
- A timeline for when you will be contacted for a housing opportunity cannot be provided as the waitlist is based on many factors, which continually change.
What M’akola can Help With
M’akola can provide information on amenities offered, suites at each location, and location-specific details about our Assisted Living buildings.