We believe in the power of education to transform lives.
RentSmart Education builds capacity and is empowering. Being a tenant is not an innate skill but is a combination of a number of different skills that can be learned: legal rights and responsibilities, financial management, communication and maintenance skills. Tenants, landlords and community organizations all benefit from RentSmart Education and knowledge.
RentSmart Education is grounded in adult education and transformative training principles- the learning process matters as much as the content.
We understand the importance of high quality housing and lifeskills education in helping people have successful tenancies. Successful tenancies and housing stability are key to preventing homelessness. Whether preparing young people for their first time renting, or assisting people to exit homelessness, RentSmart is a key part of the solution.
Our Story
Rent Smart Education and Support Society (formerly know as Ready to Rent) was founded by a group of citizens and service-related agencies in the Victoria region that came together to find solutions for unstably housed and homeless families. Our first course was piloted in 2009, and Rent Smart Education and Support Society was incorporated in 2011. Between 2009-2014, Rent Smart Education and Support Society delivered the program and continually improved and measured the impact.
In 2014, Rent Smart Education and Support Society hosted the first Train the Trainer program to share the model with other communities on Vancouver Island. In 2015, RentSmart became the new program name, and Community Educators received training across BC. RentSmart Educator training expanded to include principles of Adult Education and Transformative Training (part of the reason why RentSmart is effective), and Facilitation practice. In 2017, RentSmart was adapted to Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario.
We continue to serve the Greater Victoria region while sharing the RentSmart program with other communities. Our goal is that RentSmart is shared across Canada, and to any community that is looking for a proven educational and support program that helps both tenant and landlords to have successful tenancies.
