Down Payment Assistance Program

UBC employees must be:

• A full-time tenure-stream faculty member, or a confirmed or confirmation-track librarian. If you have questions about eligible positions, contact your Faculty Relations advisor.
• Employed at UBC Vancouver. The program is not available to employees at UBC Okanagan. 
• Receiving financial assistance from UBC for the purchase of housing for the first and only time.

The property must be:

• purchased in the 10-year period following the start date of the initial university appointment in an eligible rank, or within six months prior to the start date;
• located within the Metro Vancouver region; and
• the applicant's principal residence as defined by the Canada Revenue Agency. 

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. If you have identified a property you wish to purchase, please ensure that you submit the documents outlined in Step 4 to UBC Treasury no later than 21 days prior to the closing date of the purchase.​​​ Please note the new application process outlined below, effective July 1^st, 2024.

Step 1: Complete the application

Current eligible employees: Confirm your eligibility by downloading a Confirmation of Eligibility letter through Workday by following the instructions outlined below or in the Knowledge Base Article.

1. Login to Workday.
2. Enter “Housing Assistance Application” in the search bar and select the Housing Assistance Application –.Distributed report from the results. 
3. Read the instructions and complete the three (3) required fields:
   • Tenure Stream Start Date: Enter the date. If unsure of the date, refer to the Appendix in the KBA for guidance on finding this date in Workday.
   • Confirmation of Understanding: Enter an “X” in the field.
   • Anticipated Closing Date: Enter the date.
4. Click Ok.
5. Click Print button at the bottom of the report page to generate the letter.

Employees yet to start an eligible faculty position: Confirm your eligibility by completing the Housing Assistance Program application form and submit to Faculty Relations. Faculty Relations will provide confirmation of your eligibility.

Note that Confirmation of Eligibility does not constitute approval for the Down Payment Assistance Program; approval from the faculty Dean is required in Step 4 before funding can be granted.

Step 2: Purchase an eligible property

Once you have a signed Contract of Purchase and Sale or a Title Certificate, proceed to Step 3 at your earliest opportunity to provide the UBC Treasury department with adequate time to prepare and complete all necessary documentation prior to the closing date. Please be advised that the home purchase must be completed within the 10-year eligibility period.

Step 3: Complete the election form

Complete the Election Form to confirm your participation in the Down Payment Assistance program. 

Step 4: Forward documents 

Forward the following documents to your Dean's office:

• Confirmation of Eligibility letter;
• Completed Election Form;
• Copy of the signed Contract of Purchase and Sale or the Title Certificate for an eligible property; and,
• Subject Removal Addendum (if applicable).

The Dean will acknowledge receipt, provide approval and forward the documents to Treasury for processing. Please ensure that you submit the documents to Treasury at treasury.housing@ubc.ca no later than 21 days prior to the closing date of the purchase.

Step 5: Final instructions

The Treasury department will process the application, prepare the relevant loan agreements, and issue the Down Payment Assistance loan.

Contact Housing, Immigration and Relocations Services at employeehousing.help@ubc.ca if you have questions about the DPA program and application process.