How Mixed-Use Buildings Are Relieving the Housing Crisis
At YWCA Metro Vancouver, seeking new housing opportunities is one of our key priorities. Women, especially single mothers and those leaving violence, are hardest hit by Metro Vancouver’s housing crisis and safe, affordable homes are critical to their safety and well-being.
Mixed-use housing, which blends residential, commercial and cultural uses into one space, allows us to creatively use available resources and provide community supports for residents. By partnering with government, business and community leaders, the YWCA is addressing BC’s housing crisis by actively providing hundreds of long-term housing units for women and their children.
Homes Above a Full-Service Library
Located above the nə́c̓aʔmat ct Strathcona library in Vancouver, the 21-unit YWCA Cause We Care community is a prime example of mixed-use housing. The housing development opened in April 2017, through a partnership between the City of Vancouver, the Vancouver Public Library and the YWCA.
With shared amenity spaces and a full-service library on the ground floor, residents have easy access to employment supports, children’s programs and a variety of public workshops.
Firehall Redevelopment Creates Housing
Offering 16 units, YWCA Pacific Spirit Terrace is located directly above Vancouver’s Firehall No. 5. The housing community was created as part of Firehall No. 5’s redevelopment and opened in 2019.
The first two floors of the building replaced the previous firehall, which was originally built in 1952, and no longer met the needs of Vancouver Fire Rescue Services. The four floors above the firehall have homes for single mothers and their children and includes a rooftop play area and amenity space.
Bringing Business to the Ground Floor
Multiple YWCA housing communities are built on top of commercial spaces, with various businesses on the ground floor. YWCA Moiz and Nadia Place, which is in the Paramount on Richmond’s bustling No. 3 Road, has commercial space at street level. The development also includes Seedlings Child Care Centre with 107 child care spots and office space.
At YWCA Moiz and Nadia Place, 27 affordable units are available for single mothers and their children or for single women without dependents. In this mixed-use housing community, residents have access to amenities including a large outdoor courtyard, barbecue and children’s play area, and a gym.
On Vancouver’s Arbutus Street, YWCA xʷƛ̓əpicən is an innovative partnership between the YWCA, Tikva Housing Society and the Association of Neighbourhood Houses of BC. Of the 125 units of affordable homes for people on low and moderate incomes, 32 are operated by the YWCA for single mothers and their dependent children. The eight-floor building—which also has commercial space at street level—offers an amenity room, a courtyard, children’s play area, community gardening areas and a rooftop terrace.
The YWCA’s newest housing development—located in Vancouver at 388 Slocan Street—will also have two commercial units at street level. These commercial spaces will help subsidize 14 deeply affordable units for single mothers and their children. This mixed-use housing community has an additional 56 units, which will be available to the broader community at below-market rental rates.
Through mixed-use housing communities like these, YWCA Metro Vancouver is working towards a future where safe, secure housing is affordable and accessible for all women and their families while providing a diverse range of valuable amenities and services.
Read more about our Housing Action Fund and how you can help us reach our campaign goal at https://ywcavan.org/housing-action-fund.
