---
title: "BC Greens announce seniors plan with higher renter aid thresholds and more public long-term care"
description: "The BC Green Party published a seniors platform on October 4 and says it would raise housing aid thresholds for senior renters, apply rent controls to assisted living, and increase publicly funded long-term care beds."
canonical_url: "https://voche.me/bc/provincial-2026/news/bc-greens-seniors-plan-october-2026"
last_updated: "2026-10-10T04:06:57.818Z"
---

The BC Green Party published a seniors platform on October 4 and says it would raise housing aid thresholds for senior renters, apply rent controls to assisted living fees, and increase the number of publicly funded long-term care beds.

The party's website states that 44 per cent of senior renters live in housing that costs more than 30 per cent of their income, and that the long-term care waitlist has tripled since 2016. These are the party's own stated figures. The BC NDP and the Conservative Party of BC have not responded to this plan.

The BC Greens say they would raise the income limit for the province's Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters program to $48,000 for single seniors and $53,000 for couples. The program, known as SAFER, provides monthly help with rent costs. The current threshold is below both of those levels, the party says, and a cost estimate for the change has not been published.

The party also says it would apply vacancy controls to assisted living facilities, limiting how much operators can raise service fees when a resident moves in or out. A long-term care bed costs $27,740 more per year than two hours of daily home support, the party states on its website, citing this figure as a reason to invest in home support alongside residential care. This is the party's own figure.

Greens leader Emily Lowan announced the plan. Lowan is a candidate for Saanich North and the Islands on October 24 and leads the [BC Green Party](/bc/provincial-2026/parties/bc-green-party).

The party says it would establish a dementia care pathway beginning with screening by a family doctor, improve respite care and day programs, and develop a strategy for seniors in rural and remote communities.

Voters who have a family member on a long-term care waitlist, or who rent in an assisted living facility, can read the full plan at the BC Green Party's website. The provincial election is October 24, 2026. Advance voting runs October 16 to 21. You can confirm your registration and find your voting place at elections.bc.ca.

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