Housing Registry for Housing Providers

The Housing Registry provides a centralized database of applicant information to non-profit and co-operative providers of affordable housing.

Member Login

Registry Information

About the program

The Housing Registry helps housing providers manage applicant lists by maintaining a current database of applicants. It also eliminates duplication among housing providers who would otherwise receive and process applications from many of the same individuals and households. In summary, it:

• Eliminates the need to maintain extensive applicant files
• Automates manual processes
• Offers built-in data integrity
• Provides access through any computer with an Internet connection (so no need to purchase or download special software)

Housing providers who use The Housing Registry continue to maintain complete autonomy over their tenant/member selection and screening processes.

The Housing Registry was developed in partnership with BC Housing, the BC Non-Profit Housing Association, the Co-operative Housing Federation of BC, non-profit housing providers, housing co-operatives, municipalities, information and referral service groups and other community-based organizations.

Eligibility

Membership is free and open to all non-profit and co-operative providers of rent-geared-to-income housing in British Columbia.

How to join

1. Complete the Expression of Interest Form on the back of the Housing Registry brochure.

2. Send the completed Expression of Interest Form to:

   The Housing Registry
   1701-4555 Kingsway
   Burnaby, B.C.  V5H 4V8
   Phone: 604-456-8899
   Fax: 604-439-4729
   Email: [email protected]

3. Housing Registry staff will send you a Housing Registry Member Agreement.
4. Review and sign the Agreement and return it to The Housing Registry at the address above. 
5. The Housing Registry staff will train you to use the database, and issue user IDs and passwords.

Free Privacy Training

Privacy training helps you understand your obligations to protect privacy.

Note: Employees and volunteers must review this training before accessing The Housing Registry.

• Housing Registry - Privacy Training for Members
• Housing Registry - Privacy Policy
• Privacy Awareness Training

The Housing Registry Council

Council members are elected for a two-year term, with election years staggered to allow for continuity.

A call for nominations is sent out to all Registry members in September or October of each year followed by elections in November or December. Elected members start their term the January following their election and have an opportunity to meet members at the Annual Meeting of Members in February of each year.

Watch for information on the council election process and the Annual Meeting of Members in The Housing Registry Bulletin.

Current Council Members (2022)

• Interior & the North
  • CMHA for the Kootenays - Kathy Brown
  • North Peace Community Housing Society - Liane McNeil
• Vancouver Island
  • Greater Victoria Housing Society - Deborah Bellows
  • M'akola Housing Societies - Alita Tocher
• Lower Mainland
  • Metro Vancouver Housing Corporation - Amanda Hrgovic
  • Elizabeth Fry of Vancouver - Gina Rivas Cruz
  • Vancouver Native Housing Society - Margaret Go
  • Brightside Community Services - Shawna Baylis
• Standing appointment
  • BC Non-Profit Housing Association - Marika Albert
  • Co-op Housing Federation of BC - Darren Kitchen
  • BC Housing - Erin Smandych

Questions

1. What about my existing applicant list?

   You access The Housing Registry through a secure Internet connection to obtain a list of eligible applicants who have expressed an interest in your building or the community.

   You are responsible for contacting applicants and following your regular selection and screening processes and updating the applicant file to reflect when an offer is made.

2. How do we access the Housing Registry?

   You access The Housing Registry through a secure Internet connection to obtain a list of eligible applicants who have expressed an interest in your building or the community. You are responsible for contacting applicants and following your regular selection and screening processes and updating the applicant file to reflect when an offer is made.

3. What are the computer requirements?

   You need an Internet-ready computer that’s running a current version of Internet Explorer. A high-speed Internet connection is recommended. You do not need to purchase or load special software. But you do require virus protection and security on your computer to stop unwanted access.

4. How is The Housing Registry managed?

   The Housing Registry is managed by The Housing Registry Council, which consists of representatives from housing providers, the Co-operative Housing Federation of BC, community associations and BC Housing. The database is owned, maintained and administered by BC Housing.

5. How does The Housing Registry work?

   The Housing Registry makes it possible for applicants to apply for housing with multiple housing providers by contacting one agency and completing one application form.

   The Housing Registry processes these application forms, maintains a database of the applicants and works to keep applicant information current.

   As a result, member housing providers no longer need to maintain an applicant list. You can select all rent-geared-to-income applicants from The Housing Registry database. The Housing Registry also accepts applications from households with incomes over the housing income limits who are looking for market or lower-end-of-market units in developments managed by The Housing Registry members.

6. If there is no Registry office near me, how will applicants apply?

   Applicants can download The Housing Registry Application Form from the BC Housing website. There are also a number of application access points throughout B.C. The Housing Registry will also provide members with a supply of application forms to hand out to applicants who come to your office.

   The Housing Registry members who are willing and able may have the opportunity to become an access point for the Registry. The council will work with members to identify areas where another access point may be needed.