A quick note: we just went through DownsizePlan.ca top-to-bottom and refreshed the numbers. Government benefits, BC market data, and a few other moving targets get tweaked every quarter, and we want what you read here to reflect what's actually true today, not what was true a year ago.
Here's what changed in this refresh.
OAS just went up
The Old Age Security pension was indexed again for the April–June 2026 quarter. Maximum monthly amounts:
- Age 65–74: $743.05/month
- Age 75+: $817.36/month
That's a small bump, but it adds up over a year. We also updated the OAS clawback thresholds — the income point where OAS starts being recovered is now around $93,454 (for the 2025 income year, applied to July 2026–June 2027 OAS payments).
SAFER income limit is higher
The BC Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER) program got a meaningful upgrade. The household income cap moved from about $35,000/year up to roughly $40,000/year ($3,333/month). The average subsidy is still about $337/month.
If your parent is renting and over 60, this is worth a second look — many eligible seniors never apply.
BC Seniors Supplement
We updated the Senior's Supplement amounts to the rates effective January 2026: up to $99.30/month for a single senior, $110.25/month for a couple. It pays automatically on top of OAS/GIS for low-income BC seniors.
Long-term care: the wait list keeps growing
This one isn't good news. BC's long-term care wait list now sits around 7,212 seniors, with an average wait of 290 days — and in high-demand regions (Victoria, Kelowna), it can stretch to 18–24 months for a specific facility. The takeaway is the same as it has been: get on lists before you need them.
Metro Vancouver real estate
Inventory in Greater Vancouver was around 7.3 months in March 2026 (detached: 9.1, condos: 6.4) — still firmly a buyer's market. Pricing and presentation matter more than ever when you're selling a long-time family home.
Reverse mortgage rates
CHIP/HomeEquity Bank fixed rates are currently in the 6.6%–7.0% range, depending on term. That's lower than where rates sat a year ago, but still well above traditional mortgage rates. The math on a reverse mortgage is unforgiving — read our reverse mortgage vs. downsizing guide before signing anything.
The HAFI program got a new name
The Home Adaptations for Independence (HAFI) grant has been replaced by the BC Rebate for Accessible Home Adaptations (BC RAHA). Same idea, same maximum (~$20,000 per household), modernized program. Worth checking if a parent is staying put and needs grab bars, walk-in showers, or wider doorways.
What this means for you
If you've been on this site before, the structure hasn't changed — just the numbers. We'll keep doing this every six months so the guides you rely on actually reflect what's happening on the ground.
Have a question about any of these programs, or wondering how they apply to your family's situation? Reach out — the first conversation is free.