Landmark Indigenous housing project breaks ground in Vancouver

Vancouver - Ho'-kee-melh Kloshe Lum - Indigenous housing

Rendering of large multi storey housing building

VANCOUVER - Construction is underway on an Indigenous-led and focused development in Vancouver that will bring nearly 170 mixed-use homes and 80 shelter beds to the Downtown Eastside.

Ravi Kahlon, B.C.'s Minister of Housing; Joan Phillip, MLA for Vancouver-Mount Pleasant; Taleeb Noormohamed, MP for Vancouver Granville; Patty Hajdu, federal Minister of Indigenous Services; Pete Fry, deputy mayor, Vancouver; and Susan Tatoosh, executive director, Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre (VAFCS), announced a combined investment of more than $97 million to fund the 248 new spaces.

"This expansive new development will provide a variety of housing options that will help meet the diverse needs of the Downtown Eastside community," Kahlon said. "I look forward to seeing the lasting positive impacts I know these homes will have for so many residents, including families and elders. Our government will continue to work to build projects like this to provide new opportunities, security and peace of mind for British Columbians."

Located at 1015 East Hastings St., the building is named Ho'-kee-melh Kloshe Lum, which means "to gather, good spirits." It will be a mixed-use development across two concrete towers and will include 143 low- to moderate-income rentals, 25 supportive housing units and 80 shelter beds. All the homes and shelter spaces will be operated by VAFCS.

The development will prioritize Indigenous residents and will incorporate design elements to foster culture and community. This will include larger family-oriented homes, gathering and ceremonial areas, and space allotted for Indigenous artwork and installations.

Two social enterprise spaces are being planned and will feature a café and Klatawa Bike Shop, both of which will be operated by the VAFCS. The project will also include courtyard access, a rooftop multi-purpose room with a shared kitchen and landscaped area, and a multi-level day centre with a range of services available, such as lounge areas, a library, an art studio and counselling spaces.

The project is a result of a partnership between the Province, through BC Housing, the federal government, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and Indigenous Services Canada, the City of Vancouver, the Aboriginal Housing Management Association, and VAFCS. Development support has also been provided by Western Canadian Properties Group and M'akola Development Services.

"I would like to thank our many project partners, including the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre, the City of Vancouver and the federal government for coming together on such a diverse new building," Phillip said. "I look forward to seeing the doors open on these new homes so Indigenous families, elders and individuals can stay close to their community where their families and friends surround them."

Construction on Ho'-kee-melh Kloshe Lum is expected to be complete in late 2025.

This project is part of a $19-billion housing investment by the B.C. government. Since 2017, the Province has more than 76,000 homes that have been delivered or are underway, including nearly 8,000 in Vancouver.

Quick Facts:

The Province, through BC Housing, has committed approximately $57.27 million toward this project, including:
- approximately $34 million through the Supportive Housing Fund; and
- $23 million in Affordable Rental Housing grant funding.
The federal government is providing approximately $22 million, including approximately
$19 million in co-investment funding through CMHC, and $3 million from the Indigenous Community Infrastructure Fund.
The City of Vancouver is providing approximately $4.6 million in combined grants and fee waivers, as well as the land where the project is located, valued at $13.3 million, under a nominal-fee leasehold agreement.

Learn More:

To learn about B.C.'s new Homes for People action plan, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023HOUS0019-000436

To learn about the steps the Province is taking to tackle the housing crisis and deliver affordable homes for British Columbians, visit: https://strongerbc.gov.bc.ca/housing/

For information about Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, visit: https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en

To find out about the National Housing Strategy, visit: http://www.placetocallhome.ca/.

A backgrounder follows.

Backgrounder(s)

What people are saying about Ho'-kee-melh Kloshe Lum

Sean Fraser, federal Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities -

"Working with organizations is critical to understanding the unique needs and circumstances of their communities. Partnering with those on the ground helps to provide the most relevant housing options and helps to ensure the most successful outcomes. Thanks in particular to this partnership with the Province, the City of Vancouver, and the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society, we will not only be creating 170 new homes for residents of Vancouver's Downtown Eastside neighbourhood, but also a place to honour their traditions and get support from their community. This is an all-hands-on deck approach that shows the federal government's leadership with the National Housing Strategy is working."

Taleeb Noormohamed, MP for Vancouver Granville -

"Indigenous communities in British Columbia deserve access to safe and affordable housing. Through the National Housing Co-Investment Fund, the government is investing in 112 new affordable homes for Indigenous Peoples to improve the quality of life for the people who need it most. These kinds of investments transform our communities and will give residents a true sense of belonging and a safe, secure, culturally appropriate place to call home."

Ken Sim, mayor, Vancouver -

"Ho'-kee-melh Kloshe Lum is an innovative, Indigenous-focused, and community-driven partnership that will bring much-needed below-market, supportive and shelter housing to the Downtown Eastside. The City of Vancouver looks forward to continuing to work with our partners in senior government and the community to enable similar projects that deliver more housing faster."

Patty Hajdu, federal Minister of Indigenous Services -

"Indigenous leaders, communities and organizations know best the realities that Indigenous families face in Canada. Every investment in an Indigenous infrastructure project must be a collaboration with them. From safe spaces to affordable housing, this Indigenous-led project reflects some of the needs of Indigenous people in central Vancouver. This much-needed hub of services will help families thrive and create opportunities for reconciliation to move forward."

Margaret Pfoh, CEO, Aboriginal Housing Management Association (AHMA) -

"The collaboration across all partners involved in this project is an example of excellence in creating more equitable, community-based housing to serve those most in need. Forty percent of those who are unhoused in Vancouver are Indigenous. At AHMA, we know that culturally supported living spaces with trauma-informed wraparound services are a pathway for healing, safety, connection and belonging. We hope to see more of this kind of housing moving forward."

Susan Tatoosh (Tii Thul'p), executive director, Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society -

"The Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society is proud to work in partnership to demonstrate 'Reconciliation in Action' and our shared commitment to upholding the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples by providing culturally safe, affordable and accessible housing that is operated by and for Indigenous Peoples. We are excited to welcome community members to an environment where Indigenous placemaking is prioritized and our community members see themselves when they walk through the door."

Kaela Schramm, director of projects and planning, M'akola Development Services -

"This project demonstrates how we can develop homes differently and achieve meaningful results by prioritizing commitments to upholding Indigenous values, following the lead of community leaders like VAFCS, and taking a relationships-first approach. M'akola Development Services is proud to support VAFCS and the project partners in developing this project from concept to community."

James Ferrie, COO, Western Canadian Properties Group (WCPG) -

"Western Canadian Properties Group is proud to partner on this project as development manager. The progress made to date is the result of thousands of hours of hard work by dedicated individuals committed to providing quality housing across all income levels and celebrates the area's rich Indigenous history and culture. WCPG will be working closely with our builder, Urban One, to deliver a project that will serve as a cultural hub in the Downtown Eastside for generations to come."