Rent Bank grant

The Rent Bank grant is intended to help renters experiencing a temporary and unplanned financial crisis with their expenses directly linked to staying housed. If you are facing eviction, you may be eligible.

This grant provides financial support of up to $2,750, or the equivalent of two months' rent, whichever is less.

This can include:

• Assisting with a damage deposit
• Clearing rent debt (up to two months) on your current residence, to a maximum of $2,750
• Paying overdue essential utilities that threaten your tenancy

The funds from the Rent Bank grant are sent directly to the landlord or impacted utility.

To qualify for the Rent Bank grant, you must:

• Be 19 or older or under 19 and an emancipated minor or in the Youth Engagement Services (YES) Program
• Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident of Canada, refugee claimant or have legal status to live and work in Canada
• Be a resident of New Brunswick with a valid photo ID with current address
• Have an income of:
  • Less than $50,500 annually for a household without children
  • Less than $85,000 annually for a household with children
• Have not received Rent Bank assistance for your household within the past 12 months and no more than $2,750 within the past 24 months

Please note this is a taxable benefit. For more information on taxable benefits, please visit: Government of Canada - Taxable Benefits.

• A valid photo ID with current address (in extenuating circumstances, approved alternative forms of identification may be accepted)
• A record of recent rent payments to demonstrate your payment history
• If applying for utility debts, you must provide your most recent bill(s) showing your utility payment history
• Proof of income for your household, including:
  • Last year’s Notice of Assessment(s) AND
  • Proof of current income such as: pay stubs, a statement from EI or EIA, etc.)
  • You must provide at minimum the four (4) most recent consecutive statements or pay stubs. (If you work more then one job, please provide pay stubs for each)
• Current or new rental agreement (or a signed rental declaration form)
• Formal notice of eviction or the eviction warnings you have received from your landlord

Staff will contact the landlord or utility provider on your behalf to ensure agreement that repayment will resolve your current housing instability issue, ensuring a reasonable likelihood of maintaining tenancy for the next six (6) months.

Once an application is received, it can take 2-3 business days to be reviewed by our Rent Bank intake team.

Once screened, a program delivery officer will contact you by email or phone to request any outstanding documentation that may be required to support your application and to provide you with the day and time of your scheduled phone interview.

When the required information to support your application has been received, and your interview completed, it can take a minimum of four business days to provide a decision and, if approved, issue the payment.

If you don’t meet all the eligibility requirements but believe you are still a candidate, please contact: [email protected]. Those facing immediate eviction will be prioritized.