Celebrating the Grand Opening of YWCA Sandy So Vista
A rainy forecast didn’t deter the dozens of donors who came to celebrate the grand opening of our newest housing community, YWCA Sandy So Vista. In the end, the rain held off as our incredible partners and generous supporters gathered in the building’s beautiful inner courtyard on September 11.
“We thank BC Housing, the City of Vancouver and Chard Development for supporting this incredible new housing community. We are also grateful for our many generous donors, including our naming donor, Sandy So,” YWCA CEO Erin Seeley said. “We know YWCA Sandy So Vista and 388 Slocan will have a positive impact in our community, providing stable, affordable housing for those who need it most.”
Thanks to teamwork between government, corporations and donors, YWCA Sandy So Vista provides 14 deeply affordable homes to women and single mothers and their children.
Nestled in a bustling neighborhood, close to a school, parks and local businesses, the six-storey building at 388 Slocan Street has commercial space at ground level and an inner courtyard, with a safe green space and a play area. The building has a shared rooftop terrace with 360-degree views as far as Mount Baker and the Lions Gate Bridge for residents to enjoy.
With the opening of YWCA Sandy So Vista, the YWCA now operates 16 housing communities across Metro Vancouver, providing safe and affordable homes for more than 700 residents. Additionally, with the recent creation of the YW Housing Society of British Columbia, we have been able to further expand our ability to address the urgent housing need in the region. The society provides an increased spectrum of affordable housing through a model that reinvests revenues to provide more deeply affordable homes to women and their children. For example, under YW Housing, an additional 56 below-market rental units are available to the broader community at 388 Slocan.
Still, more than a thousand families remain on our waitlist. This is why we’ve launched our Housing Action Fund, which has a campaign goal of $5 million. To learn more about the Housing Action Fund visit ywcavan.org/housing-action-fund or reach out to Shantal Cashman at scashman@ywcavan.org or 604-895-5859.
