Construction is now underway on a major Indigenous-led and focused development in Vancouver that will bring 172 affordable rental homes to the city’s Downtown Eastside community through the Aboriginal Land Trust Society.
More than $133 million has been committed to fund the new homes for Indigenous individuals and families in Vancouver located at 405 Jackson Avenue.
The building is named Ch’ich’iyúy Elx̱wíḵn (Chay-chay-yoy Ull-w-wake-un) after Ch’ich’iyúy Elxwíkn, the mountain peaks on the North Shore that watch over the traditional territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples. The exterior of Ch’ich’iyúy Elx̱wíḵn will incorporate Indigenous design elements and artwork, including art by Squamish and Nisga’a artist Marissa Nahanee and Squamish, Haida, and Tsimshian artist Cory Douglas.
The building will have a mix of studio, one-, and two-bedroom units, for elders, families, and youth, with priority access given to Indigenous residents. Unit amenities include three-piece bathrooms with a tub, in-suite laundry, balconies, and bike storage. Outdoor amenities include shared spaces like fire pits and a Coast Salish Longhouse on the rooftop, raised garden beds, a wellness deck, play area, and a sky garden. The development is located close to parks, schools, transit, and grocery stores. The building is also mixed-use, with two commercial units on the ground floor. All of the units will be offered at affordable or below market rates and 56units will be offered to Indigenous Elders at deeply affordable income assistance rates.
The project is a partnership between the federal government, through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) the Province of B.C., through BC Housing, the City of Vancouver, the Aboriginal Land Trust Society, and Lu’ma Native Housing Society. Development support has also been provided by Lu’ma Development Management.
The building will be owned by the Aboriginal Land Trust and will be operated by Lu’ma Native Housing Society. Construction of Ch’ich’iyúy Elxwíknis underway for and is set to be complete in late 2026.
