RainCity Housing (RCH) provides specialized housing and support services for people living with mental illness, addictions and other challenges in Vancouver. The charity provides a variety of different programs which include emergency housing, transitional housing, women’s housing, long-term housing and outreach programs. The City of Vancouver’s Response to Homelessness report found that 3,605 people were homeless in Vancouver and surrounding areas in 2017, a 30% increase compared to 2014.

In RainCity Housing’s most recent annual report, from F2014, it states that it housed 271 people in its six full-time transitional housing units. RCH put 376 people into its six long-term housing apartments which include a kitchen, a bathroom and the supports they need to become a member of the community again. The charity’s permanent and temporary shelters gave 800 people an emergency shelter, three meals a day and a referral to more sustainable housing. RCH’s outreach teams provided 125 people with ongoing support, regular visits and advocacy services.

RainCity Housing’s undated Backgrounder and Fact Sheet reports that everyday it provides 647 people with a place to live, 370 meals to people at its shelters and meal programs, 204 people with assistance with medication administration, and over 100 people with emergency shelter and assistance with finding housing.

In December 2015, RCH opened its 3030 Gordon building which provides transitional housing for people in Coquitlam, BC. It has 30 private rooms, 20 for men and 10 for women.

RainCity Housing is a Small charity in terms of donations with $304k in F2017, a 26% decrease compared to F2015. The charity received $20.9m in government funding, representing 88% of its total revenue. Additionally, RCH earned $2.5m in rent revenue from its clients, a 61% increase compared to F2015. Administrative costs are 8% of total revenues and fundraising costs are 49% of total donations. For every dollar donated to the charity, $0.43 goes towards its programs, which falls well outside Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending. RainCity Housing holds negative funding reserves of $30.3m due to owing $35.0m in long-term debt.

This charity report is an update that has been sent to RainCity Housing for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.

Updated August 2, 2018 by Derek Houlberg. Updated information October 22, 2020 by Kate Bahen.