The BC Indigenous Housing Society (BCIHS) is dedicated to providing safe, attainable housing for Indigenous individuals and families living in Vancouver and throughout British Columbia.
We are a registered charity and non-profit society. The BCIHS is governed by an all-Indigenous Board of Directors and employs approximately 100 people. Founded in 1984, we currently manage a portfolio of 21 buildings and over 900 units, supporting over 1,300 Indigenous individuals and families. BCIHS works in partnership with federal and provincial government agencies to subsidize tenant rent contributions and achieve affordability for individuals and families.
Our History
1984
In May of 1984, BCIHS was incorporated as a non-profit Society with Canada Revenue Agency charitable status.
1985
In July and August of 1985, BCIHS, in partnership with Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, opened two buildings located at 1330 East 8th Avenue and 1333 East 7th Avenue under the Pre-86 Urban Native Housing Program.
1986
In March and November of 1986, BCIHS, in partnership with Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, opened two buildings located at 1766 Frances Street and 1575 East 5th Avenue under the Pre-86 Urban Native Housing Program.
1987
In June and November of 1987, BCIHS, in partnership with Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and BC Housing Management Commission, opened three buildings. The two CMHC buildings located at 1856 East Georgia Street and 860 East 7th Avenue called Wilp-lo-ama-gaut were funded under the Post-85 Urban Native Housing Program and the BCHMC building called Wilp-bilah (meaning House of Pearl) located at 1545 East Broadway Avenue was funded under the Non-profit Program.
1988
In September of 1988, BCIHS, in partnership with Canada Mortgage & Housing Corporation, opened a building under the Post 85 Urban Native Housing Program located at 1339 Graveley Street.
1989
In February and December 1989, BCIHS, in partnership with Canada Mortgage & Housing Corporation, opened two buildings under the Post 85 Urban Native Housing Program located at 1560 East 4th Avenue and 1823 East Pender Street.
1994
In December 1994, BCIHS, in partnership with Canada Mortgage & Housing Corporation, opened a building under the Post 85 Urban Native Housing Program located at 1725 East Pender Street.
2000
In November 2000, BCIHS opened Ian Lehman Place at 27 West Pender, just on the boarder of Vancouver’s historic Chinatown. This innovative structure designed by architect Joe Wai combines Vancouver Heritage style yellow brick with a number of unique elements which recognize both the Indigenous residents, as well as their Chinese neighbours.
2001
In November 2001, BCIHS, in partnership with Greater Vancouver Housing Corporation (now Metro Vancouver Housing Corporation), opened a building located at 2626 Watson Street under the BC Housing LIUS Program (Low-Income Urban Singles). In this management partnership, BCIHS manages the building and its tenants for MVHC.
2004
On May 15th, 2004 VNHS celebrated its 20th year of being incorporated as a Society.
2007 - 2008
BCIHS applied for and received a $5.1 million housing grant under the Aboriginal Housing Initiative (AHI) for a health, healing, and housing complex to be built in partnership with the Vancouver Native Health Society and the Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation (the TRIO Project). The Society took over the management of the Franklin Women’s Residence in Vancouver’s Grandview Woodland neighbourhood. BCIHS took on the management of the Orwell Hotel, a 55-unit single room accommodation (SRA) hotel under the Provincial Homelessness Initiative (PHI).
2010
VNHS was awarded $3.5 million from the Federal Infrastructure Stimulus Fund to add the Vancouver Healing Lodge to the Pender Hotel project. The funding for this project ends a seven-year journey to create a culturally appropriate medical stay facility for Indigenous people traveling to Vancouver for medical treatment. In the fall of 2010, VNHS was the successful proponent of BC Housing to take on the management of the Pendera building at 133 East Pender, formerly operated by DERA Housing Society.
2011
VNHS assumed the management and operations of the Pendera on June 1, 2011. VNHS broke ground for the Skwachàys Lodge and Residence at 31 West Pender.
2012
On June 11th, the Skwachàys Lodge and Residence along with the Urban Aboriginal Free Trade Gallery was officially opened. The building provides 24 units of supportive housing for artists and 18 hotel rooms for both tourists and medical stay guests.
2014
Opened in December 2014, Kwayatsut provides 99 units of Supportive Housing. 30 of these units are dedicated to a supportive youth housing program in collaboration with the Pacific Community Resources Society.
2021
In February 2021 Vancouver City Council unanimously approved the new development proposal for 1766 Francis Street. This new Passive House development will contain 40 studios, nine one-bedroom units, five one-bedroom accessible units, 14 two-bedroom units, six three-bedroom units, and 10 four-bedroom units as well as a daycare facility.
Thank you to BC Housing for their support in helping make this project a reality.