YWCA Cindy Beedie Place Opens in Burnaby, Creating Safe, Affordable Homes for Women and Children Leaving Violence
On December 8, 2025, YWCA Metro Vancouver was honoured to celebrate the opening of YWCA Cindy Beedie Place, a new deeply affordable housing community in Burnaby that is now home to 56 single-mother-led families. Designed to support women and children leaving violence, this purpose-built community offers safety, stability and the opportunity to rebuild.
YWCA Cindy Beedie Place provides long-term, deeply affordable housing, with 41 two-bedroom and 15 three-bedroom homes, including four fully accessible and seven adaptable units. The building includes shared amenity spaces, a communal kitchen, a residential courtyard and a children’s outdoor play area, creating opportunities for connection and belonging.
A unique and transformative feature of the building is the onsite, YWCA-operated child care centre, which will offer 37 licensed spaces for toddlers, serving both building residents and families in the surrounding neighbourhood. Access to affordable, nearby child care removes a major barrier for women pursuing employment, education and long-term economic stability.
“Seven years ago, I had the dream of creating housing where women could be safe, and build new, affordable lives for themselves and their children,” said Cindy Beedie, Executive Director of the Beedie Foundation. “I am extremely grateful to everyone who has worked so hard to help bring this dream to life.”
A Community Designed for Safety, Stability and Belonging
Residents of YWCA Cindy Beedie Place will be supported through wraparound services led by YWCA Metro Vancouver, including access to employment and skills training programs, education and career pathway support, bursary opportunities, and health, wellness and community connection services.
Housing will be rent-geared-to-income, ensuring homes remain deeply affordable for families. Households receiving income assistance will pay a maximum of $695 per month for a two-person household and $790 per month for a three-person household.
“Too many families across Metro Vancouver continue to experience a housing affordability crisis, and for single mothers, those challenges are often magnified,” said Erin Seeley, CEO of YWCA Metro Vancouver. “YWCA Cindy Beedie Place is an incredible example of what is possible when dedicated government and generous community partners come together. We are thrilled that more women and children will have access to stable housing, quality child care and wraparound supports.”
Homes in the Heart of the Community
Located in Burnaby’s Douglas–Gilpin neighbourhood, east of Forest Lawn, the land for YWCA Cindy Beedie Place was provided by the City of Burnaby through a nominal 99-year lease. Families living in the building benefit from strong neighbourhood connections, including a five-minute walk to Douglas Road Elementary School and direct access to the 123 bus route, connecting to Brentwood and New Westminster.
“Cindy Beedie Place will be a pillar of support in our community, where women and their children can feel safe and secure while they build their lives in Burnaby,” said Mayor Mike Hurley.
Strong Partnerships Making Lasting Change
YWCA Cindy Beedie Place was made possible through a powerful collaboration between the Province of British Columbia, through BC Housing’s Women’s Transition Housing Fund, Cindy Beedie, the City of Burnaby and YWCA Metro Vancouver.
The project includes over $40 million in provincial funding for the housing component, as well as more than $4 million from the ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund to create the on-site child care centre. The child care program also received generous contributions from Cindy Beedie and an anonymous donor. The ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund is jointly supported by provincial investments and federal funding under the Canada–British Columbia Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement.
“Everyone deserves a safe space to call home, especially women and their children leaving violence,” said Christine Boyle, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs in a news release from BC Housing. “Cindy Beedie Place is more than housing – it’s hope, stability and opportunity for women to rebuild their lives.”
YWCA Cindy Beedie Place represents what’s possible when philanthropy, government and community organizations come together with a shared commitment to safety, equity and opportunity.
“We are so thrilled to finally welcome these women to their new homes,” said Cindy Beedie. “We hope YWCA Cindy Beedie Place will offer these families new opportunities and a brighter future.”
At a time when the need for safe, affordable housing for women and children leaving violence has never been more urgent, YWCA Metro Vancouver is proud to be part of the solution.
