Vancouver - 2132 Ash Street

Aerial rendering of future project

Responding to homelessness and encampments

BC Housing is actively working with the City of Vancouver and provincial partners to respond to homelessness across Vancouver. This includes supporting the ongoing response in the Downtown Eastside (DTES) and addressing the encampments on East Hastings Street and CRAB Park.

The process includes bringing people currently sleeping outdoors on the DTES and in CRAB Park into the shelter system so we can get to know their needs and work to rebuild trust. We will then transition them into homes with the support services they may need as units become available.

As part of this work, BC Housing is proposing two temporary bridge-to-housing projects – 2132 Ash Street and 1500 Main Street - that would provide approximately 90 transitional, fixed-term homes with supports to help address the critical need in Vancouver for more indoor spaces. These two new buildings will provide much needed fixed term homes and supports for those experiencing homelessness while longer term housing is built.

About the project

2132 Ash Street will provide new fixed-term transitional homes to provide a warm, safe place to sleep for approximately 30 people experiencing homelessness in shelters. This new bridge-to-housing project is anticipated to open in Spring 2023.

This location will have one modular building with approximately 30 units. The building will have shared bathrooms and amenity spaces, including a common kitchen. This building is similar to modulars used in mining and logging operations.

A minimum of two staff will be on-site 24/7 with access to health supports. Meals will be provided to all residents as well as connections to support services.

Bridge-to-Housing is a vital connection to programs and services

People who are at risk of or are experiencing homelessness are not all the same. They can be young people, seniors, people with disabilities, and anyone who has experienced trauma, poverty, or struggled with the high cost of housing. Each person requires a unique combination of services and programs to support their health and wellbeing.

Bridge-to-housing projects provide spaces for those experiencing homelessness in shelters as a transitional step while other permanent housing projects are in development. These buildings include:

• Access to private bedrooms and a warm, safe place to call home
• 24/7 staffing
• Access to health services and other supports

These fixed term transitional homes will offers people the necessities of life including access to food, washrooms, and laundry. It enables them to strengthen community connections and begin to heal from the damage caused by living outside and in shelters.

Working together to address homelessness

BC Housing is working in partnership with the City of Vancouver. A three-year lease has been approved. This site will develop a Community Advisory Committee (CAC). The CAC will support the integration of the staff and residents to the community and feedback any concerns to the operator.

BC Housing continues to with the City of Vancouver and provincial partners to develop mid- and long-term housing and shelter options with enhanced health and social supports. This includes a significant number of active projects that are anticipated to complete in 2023 and 2024. Partners continue to work to find new locations for permanent shelters, leasing and purchasing new buildings, and identifying new locations for additional modular supportive housing.

Through provincial investments since 2017, there are more than 36,000 new homes complete or underway throughout the province, including more than 8,400 homes in Vancouver. Of these, more than 2,200 are specifically for people experiencing homelessness.