A new supportive housing complex in Vancouver is complete and ready for residents. Álewem is comprised of two three-storey modular buildings, featuring 52 units at 1580 and 46 units at 1582 Vernon Dr.
Each home has a private bathroom, kitchenette and storage space for belongings. The building derives its name from the Stó:lō Nation Halq’emeylem-language. “Álewem” means “to be/stay home.”
Community Builders, an experienced non-profit housing provider, will operate the homes. The society will always have staff on site to provide support services to residents, including daily meals, Indigenous cultural programming and skills building, as well as health, mental health and addictions services.
“Community Builders is honoured to have been selected to open this site and to create these 98 new homes in Vancouver,” said Julie Roberts, executive director, Community Builders. “We’re so excited to begin welcoming the people who will call Álewem their home.”
Álewem is part of the commitment between the province and the City of Vancouver to deliver approximately 350 new permanent supportive modular homes over the next three years. Additional sites will be announced in the coming months as proposals are confirmed.
“This project marks the first 98 homes in last September’s commitment by the province to build hundreds of new modular homes that will deliver the housing and wraparound services the thousands of residents experiencing homelessness in Vancouver need to get back on their feet,” said Kennedy Stewart, mayor, City of Vancouver.
“Building homes continues to be the answer to addressing the needs of our neighbours living on our streets, and I want to thank the province for its ongoing partnership and co-investment with the City of Vancouver in modular housing as the fastest way to build homes during a homelessness crisis.”
The province provided approximately $21 million to the project through the Supportive Housing Fund, as well as an annual operating subsidy of approximately $1.43 million. The City of Vancouver provided the project land.
