Together Against Poverty Society

Together Against Poverty Society: Legal Services Rooted in Community Partnership

In British Columbia, thousands face poverty, housing insecurity, and barriers to accessing the justice system. For over 35 years, the Together Against Poverty Society (TAPS), based in Victoria and Nanaimo, has provided direct support and representation for low-income members of the Vancouver Island community, including individuals with disabilities, newcomers to Canada, and Indigenous people. In 2024, TAPS supported nearly 6,000 individuals, including tenants facing eviction, people applying for disability support, and low-income residents navigating BC’s public benefits system.

Ongoing Support for the Community

With BC’s housing crisis deepening, the demand for services like those TAPS provides has grown significantly as community members face increased risk of exploitation, displacement, and financial hardship.

“We ground our work in representation of individual clients,” says Douglas King, Executive Director at TAPS. “Two of the greatest challenges to our community right now are accessing and maintaining safe and affordable housing, and obtaining adequate income support for those with disabilities.”

TAPS has seen increased caseloads involving tenancy disputes, particularly those tied to  evictions.  For individuals already experiencing financial or housing insecurity, challenging an eviction can be an intimidating and exhausting process. Navigating the legal system can be complicated and costly, with significant hurdles and accessibility barriers. TAPS helps its clients understand their legal rights and navigate this complex legal system.  

Human Dignity in Action

In one case, TAPS supported a terminally ill client living in shared accommodation who sought to relocate to Ontario to be with family. Although he qualified for assistance, he had difficulty navigating the system and advocating for himself. With TAPS’ help, he secured the full relocation coverage for which he was eligible, including travel expenses for his caregiver. Staff worked through the Christmas holiday to ensure he could make the trip in time, allowing him to spend his final holiday season in a stable and supportive environment with loved ones.

As a vital community resource, TAPS continues to stand alongside people facing poverty and insecurity. Its work not only provides immediate support to community members but also seeks legal and social outcomes that reduce hardship and promote dignity for all.

Supported by the Law Foundation

These services are made possible in part by the Law Foundation of British Columbia, which provides core and project funding to more than 120 legal programs across the province. The Foundation is funded through interest earned on lawyers’ pooled trust accounts which hold client funds temporarily for transactions such as real estate conveyancing. When legal professionals place their trust accounts with Preferred Financial Institutions that offer higher interest rates, they directly help support access to justice initiatives throughout BC, like TAPS.

Building Toward Justice

As the need for legal advocacy continues to grow—particularly in housing and disability matters—TAPS remains a key partner in delivering frontline services and driving systemic change. Its work helps ensure that those facing the greatest barriers can access the legal system, and that their experiences inform meaningful reform.

The Law Foundation of British Columbia extends its sincere appreciation to the legal professionals who choose to direct their pooled trust accounts to Preferred Financial Institutions, and to the advocates and staff of TAPS and other legal aid organizations whose dedication strengthens access to justice across the province every day.

Find out more about the Law Foundation of BC, its Preferred Financial Institutions, and its network of legal advocacy partners by visiting their website.

This article is sponsored content