A new social housing project will provide approximately 50 new affordable rental homes for Indigenous peoples, as well as 50 new supportive homes for Downtown Eastside residents.
Located at 52-92 East Hastings St., the mixed-use development would include a safe and inclusive healing centre that is accessible to all. The site is currently home to the Shaldon Hotel, an aging supportive housing project, the Downtown Eastside Street Market, an overdose prevention site and Pigeon Park Savings, operated by Vancity.
All existing occupants at the site are being assisted with alternate accommodation and, if the project goes ahead, BC Housing will work with RainCity Housing to find new homes for all Shaldon Hotel residents during the construction period.
Residents would be welcomed back into the modern, new supportive homes when the building is complete, at no increase in rent. RainCity Housing would operate these homes and provide 24/7 support.
The Shaldon Hotel at 52 East Hastings St. is designated a heritage site. A project proposal has been submitted to the Heritage Advisory Committee for consideration of how the proposed design would incorporate Indigenous heritage elements.
Operated by the Vancouver Native Health Society, the healing centre would be guided by a holistic approach to wellness, focused on the spiritual, emotional, physical and mental elements of well-being that blends Indigenous and western medicine.
“We are honoured to be part of such an innovative project that will meet the needs of so many people,” said Claire Marshall, president, Aboriginal Land Trust. “We are pleased to be partnering with BC Housing and such a diverse group of agencies, such as Vancouver Native Health Society, Lu’ma Native Housing Society and RainCity.”
The new affordable rental apartments for low-income Indigenous individuals and families would be operated by Lu’ma Native Housing Society.
“The announcement of new housing is a testament to the organizations and people calling for safe, affordable homes in the Downtown Eastside,” said Melanie Mark, MLA for Vancouver-Mount Pleasant.
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