Victoria RentSmart Educator Course - March 23-25, 2021
Application for free seats funded by the City of Victoria
Thank you for your interest in becoming a RentSmart Educator in Victoria!
BACKGROUND
Through a train-the educator model, Rent Smart is used by a wide range of community organizations in many provinces.
As many organizations face growing financial challenges, we are pleased to announce that through financial support from the City of Victoria, Rent Smart Education and Support Society (RSESS) is able to offer 7 subsidies for RentSmart Educator training.
These will be available for the virtual RentSmart Educator training on March 23rd-25th, 2021 (a $650 value per registration).
In addition to free training, selected subsidy recipients will also receive free materials to run Rent Smart courses for their community.
APPLICATION PROCESS
RSESS will use an application process based on a number of eligibility criteria to identify recipients of the free registrations and materials. In keeping with the City of Victoria’s granting priorities, consideration will be given to organizations and staff able to benefit residents of the City of Victoria though broader impact and focus is also welcomed.
Subsidy awards are granted based on how applicants will incorporate Rent Smart into their work and the level of commitment/support from their organization to provide Rent Smart education to the community.
Registrations will be granted to eligible applicants who demonstrate how Rent Smart fits and complements the work that they do.
Additional positions may be offered based on availability.
RSESS will use the information provided in this application form towards its responsibility to report back to the City of Victoria about the use and impact of this funding.
ELIGIBILITY
Successful candidates will meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Demonstrated level of commitment/support from their organization to provide Rent Smart education to the community including confirmed support from supervisor.
- Back-up plan to have another staff member trained in case the applicant is not able to attend due to unforeseen circumstances.
- Organization and staff serving Victoria residents at risk of homelessness and/or housing instability.
- Demonstrated commitment to deliver two Rent Smart courses within 3 months of completion of training (and yes this includes virtual courses!).
- Detailed plan on delivering Rent Smart courses.
- Demonstrated fit of Rent Smart program within the organization’s mandate and mission.
- Commitment to provide non-personal and non-identifying data on Rent Smart courses delivered and participants.
Applications are due by: 6pm on February 28, 2021
All applicants will be notified by email on March 5th, 2021. We thank all applicants for their interest.
In the event we are not able to meet all interest, unmet need will assist us in seeking additional future funding opportunities.
If you have any questions about the project, or the application process, please contact Jess at: jess.bowers-ching@rentsmarteducation.org
Frequently Asked Questions
As these subsidies are funded by the City of Victoria, 75% of the total funding should benefit the residents of Victoria, which means that we will offer 5 free seats to staff or organizations primarily serving residents of Victoria. If your organization serves many communities, please use the application to understand how your work fits this criteria. Two seats will be prioritized for organizations serving the Coast Salish communities: Esquimalt, Songhees, Scia'new (Beecher Bay), T’Sou-Ku, Tsawout, Tsartlip, Tseycum, Malahat, Pauquachin and Metis Nation, provided they meet the other eligibility criteria as listed in our Application guide.
We encourage organizations to submit multiple applications for staff members as we have learnt over time that having more than one educator trained will ensure better sustainability of the program. However, decisions will be made based on the number of applications that meet the eligibility criteria to ensure that as many eligible organizations as possible benefit from the subsidies.
To learn more about the RentSmart Educator course, go to the main RS Educator information page.
Educator
“I have been working with a client of mine for awhile and he and his
partner have been struggling to secure stable housing. He was thrilled
to attend this course, and stated that it was something that he was
complete and learn from because it was going to be the first things
he’s completed ever in his life. He worked hard and was committed
each week and had a huge sense of accomplishment the last day
when he received his certificate and letter knowing that he was
successful and accomplished his goal.”
– Educator
Educator
“One of our Rent Smart youth graduates got housing today. We
are thrilled for him. The Independent Living Worker accompanied
him to the viewing but he phoned apartments and property
management companies on his own, completed the application
and setup the viewing appointment on his own. (We are proud).
He said the course gave him the confidence he needed to do it!”
– Educator
Educator
“Mid-way through the youth Rent Smart group, there is already a tangible
success directly related to program participation. One group participant,
who has been couch surfing for several months, has managed to secure
market housing before the course has even come to a close. Using her
Rent Smart knowledge and the reputation of the Rent Smart program,
she met a landlord and viewed a bachelor suite armed with knowledge
and confidence. While that particular suite rented before she had a
chance to complete the paperwork, the landlord reached out to her
about another suite he had available. He indicated that she had made
a great impression and that he really wanted her as a tenant knowing
that she was enrolled in the Rent Smart course. Using what she has
learned so far, she successfully secured her tenancy and has begun
to look into renter’s insurance.”
– Educator
Educator
“During the course I wasn’t certain of the impact it (the
RentSmart course) was having but the week following the
course during a community kitchen, two of the youth who
took the course were recommending it to others at the
community kitchen. They said that is was fun and they
learned a lot that they didn’t know.”
– Educator
Educator
“I always have a great time co-facilitating the RentSmart Basics.
I’m really thankful for the team that created this course. As our
regions previous Landlord and Tenant Advisor I was really
resistant to this course at first, because I know the Residential
Tenancies Act very well and thought I had little else to learn.
The RentSmart Educator course taught me how to teach a
pretty dry and dull topic in a fun and interactive way.”
– Educator
