Words Together Against Poverty Society
Together Against Poverty Society (TAPS) has advocated for economic and social justice in Greater Victoria since 1989. Now one of the largest anti-poverty organizations on Vancouver Island, with dedicated offices in Victoria and Nanaimo, TAPS has spent over three decades providing compassionate legal advice and representation in specialized areas of community law.
Preventing Homelessness
TAPS provides free legal advice and representation to low-income renters across Greater Victoria and Central Vancouver Island. Our primary goal is to prevent evictions and promote housing stability. We provide free legal representation for tenants at Residential Tenancy Branch hearings and information about tenants’ rights and responsibilities under the Residential Tenancy Act. Beyond supporting individuals, we also advocate for broader policy changes that address the root causes of the housing crisis, such as improved protections for renters and increased investment in public housing.
Free Tax Preparation Services
TAPS’ free, year-round income tax filing program helps thousands of people each year. In 2025 alone, TAPS completed 5,400 tax returns, securing over $9.8 million in refunds and benefits for people who need it most. Filing taxes also means people are eligible to access income-tested benefits like the Guaranteed Income Supplement and the Canada Child Benefit, which are essential sources of support.
Support for People with Disabilities
Our skilled advocates help people apply for provincial disability benefits, providing one-on-one assistance through a process that is technical, emotionally vulnerable, and depends on a physician completing a lengthy form. This work is more complex than ever because our advocates are not only helping people translate their lived medical experiences into the rigid language government requires, but they are also helping people navigate a medical system stretched beyond its limits. Many doctors, already being asked to do so much, hesitate to engage with the complicated application, especially without a long-standing relationship with the patient. Through persistence, advocacy and strategic coordination with supportive healthcare providers, we ensure that our client’s experiences are heard and taken seriously.
Our Impact
The rising cost of living has created an unprecedented need for TAPS’ services. Through our work, seniors have been able to remain in their homes, single parents have received critical financial support as they strive to provide for their families, and we have advanced policy solutions that tackle the root causes of poverty. Together, these efforts reflect a sustained commitment to building a more stable and equitable future for us all.
To learn more about our other advocacy efforts and to support our work, please visit www.tapsbc.ca.
