Apply

Guidelines

We don’t accept drop-ins for applications or tours. Please make an appointment by calling our office at (604) 433-1778. Leave your contact name and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Applications are available on our website. They can also be sent electronically to you. You may request a form by emailing us at: info@casaserena.ca

Please ensure that you meet the Eligibility & Qualifications criteria before submitting a complete application package with the supplementary documents.

ELIGIBILITY

Casa Serena is an independent living facility – our tenants are seniors who are able to manage the tasks of daily living on their own with the ability of taking care of meals, bathing, medication, transportation, personal finances, basic housekeeping and other needs related to daily living. Must be able to maintain independence required in attending to physical, mental and social well-being. Persons requiring minimal and basic home support are eligible.

Persons who require extended home support or 24hr care are not eligible to reside or continue to reside at Casa Serena.

Tenants must qualify for BC Housing subsidy program and maintain qualification for subsidy program during tenacy.

Housing Program

• 90-unit facility. All 1-bedroom units.

• Tenancy Agreements are month-to-month.
• For Single and Double Occupancy family. No more than 2 persons. Spouse only. No children allowed.
• Seniors Independent Living. Low Income Housing. Tenant Rent subsidized by BC Housing.
• Rent is based on Income. Calculated at 30% of gross monthly income plus a rate assessed on assets. (Subject to changes and personal calculations of earnings and financial portfolios)
• Utilities (heat & water) are currently included in the rent (subject to change for new applications). Surcharges are applied in some cases and based on usage guidelines.
• Television, Telephone and Internet are not included.
• Parking is not included. Limited reserved spots available and subject to availability. Tenants will need to park on available city street parking.

• Pre-Authorized Debit Agreement will need to be signed for monthly rental payments that are automatically withdrawn from your financial institution. We do not handle cash or cheques for rent.

• Residents are required to submit financial documents on an ongoing regular basis (and as
requested) to confirm application & continued eligibility , verifcation of information provided, to process process rent reviews, and audit income and asset declarations.

Qualifications:

• Be 60 years of age or more (55 years of age with minor disability but only 4 minor disability units in building)
• Demonstrate the ability to live independently, and continue to demonstrate independent living capacity during tenancy. Applicants may be required to submit a medical questionnaire by their family doctor.


• Be a Canadian Citizen and have resided in BC for the past 5 years
• Qualify for BC Housing Rent Subsidy, and continue to qualify to maintain residency
• Be considered low-income and subject to maximum gross Household Income and Asset Limits as defined by BCH and Housing Operator guidelines. Subject to financial review.
• May not own the property/building of your residency.
• Show proof of COVID vaccination and be required to maintain/update vaccinations if Provincial Health Orders are issued.

Important Information:

• Casa Serena is a Seniors Only, Low-Income Independent Living Facility.
• We do not offer physical, mental health or wellness supervision, treatments, or support.
• Casa Serena is not staffed 24/7.
• Applicants with advanced mobility disabilities may be restricted to availability on the 1st floor.
• Non-Smoking facility. No Pets. Strictly enforced. Tenancy will be terminated for breach of these policies.

Please Note regarding your Application:
• Applications submitted do not constitute any assurance or agreement to provide housing or be automatically placed on a waiting list.

• All applications and waiting list priority are subject to review. Selection is based on qualifications, suitability, needs and availability.
• Applicants are encouraged to follow-up every 6 months to ensure they maintain their application active.

• Applications and documents submitted by applicants or tenants with false or misleading information may disqualify your application.

• Tenancy Agreements will be terminated if tenancy was provided or continued based on the information provided and later determined that it was false or misleading.

• Applicants are encouraged to use our on-line application forms and email them to: application@casaserena.ca

• We kindly ask to avoid walk-ins and make appointments if you would like to complete your application in person. Please call (604) 433-1778 to make an appointment.

All personal and private documents provided with your application become the property of Casa Serena strictly for the purpose of evaluating and confirming eligibility for subsidy and housing. Please do not submit any orginal document that you require to be returned as some/all of the documents may be deleted or shredded. Rest assured, we maintain the utmost confidentiality and security of your personal and private information. We have implemented comprehensive measures to safeguard data, including advanced encryption protocols, secure servers, and restricted access policies.


Suggested Recommendations: As some documents are required on a regular basis for annual rent reviews and follow-up reviews, for convenient and timely access of documents, we recommend applicants and tenants: 

• Be registered for online banking (for availability to provide timely financials). Check with your financial institution. 
Visit www.canada.ca Canada Revenue Agency 1-800-959-8281Register for MyService Canada account (for access of entitlement letters and benefit statements) 
• Register for MyService Canada account (for access of entitlement letters and benefit statements) 
https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/my-account.ht
• Register for CRA my account (for access of tax returns)  
 https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/e-services/e-services-individuals/account-individuals.html 

Download Application Form

SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION VIA EMAIL: application@casaserena.ca

If you are seeking urgent tenancy, please ensure all supporting documents are included so that we have all the information necessary to review your file.

Please try to submit your application with all supporting documents together.

Download Checklist

Application & Supporting Documents Checklist

  1. Application for Residency Form. Please ensure to use our current Application Form which
    includes all other additional forms required for the initial application.
    For those who may have submitted the older print application form, please ensure you complete our updated form or supply the additional information needed (the Income & Asset Declaration Form).
  2. Copy of Government Issued ID
  3. Proof of Citizenship
  4. Proof of residency in BC for more than 5 years
  5. Proof of Vaccination
  6. Copy of most recent Income Tax T1 Return with all t-slips
  7. Copy of your Notice of Assessment
  8. Copy of your last 6 months of bank & investment statements for all accounts for all applicants whether solely or jointly owned with spouse (partner) or other parties.

Additional Documents (for Applicants who are selected for futher consideration as a rental unit may become available)

If you are selected for potential consideration and/or as a vacancy may become available for which we believe you may qualify for, additional documents will be required prior to formal approval including but not limited to:

  1. References. Types of references: landlord, employment, personal
  2. Service Canada Entitlement letter. Once requested from CRA, there can be lengthy processing delays from them to mail. Having a CRA myaccount login allows this to be immediately printed. These are also required for annual and secondary rent reviews.
  3. Completed BC Housing Application for Rent Subsidy Form
  4. If employed, paystubs from the last 8 pay periods
  5. 1 year of financial information (bank statements) of all applicants for all accounts whether solely or jointly owner with spouse(partner) or other parties
  6. Copy of your current Investment and Asset Porfolio
  7. Portfolio Summary from your bank(s)
  8. Criminal Record check may be required
  9. Medical Assessment Questionnaire may be required
    Some documents from the initial application may be required to be resubmitted (or updated) depending on the date of the original application.

All applications, prior to confirmed acceptance, are subject to in-person interviews, and verification of all information provided with the application.