This 16-storey housing project titled “Ho’-kee-melh Kloshe Lum” or “Where People Come Together in Good Spirits” is located in Vancouver, BC. The project is the outcome of a partnership between the City of Vancouver, BC Housing, and the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society (VAFCS). It will reflect the values of inclusiveness and belonging at the heart of VAFCS and help provide people with the skills and support they need to transition from shelter, transitional housing, and then onto permanent non-market independent living.

The mixed-use development includes 85 non-market rental apartments, 25 units of supportive housing operated by the VAFCS, an 80-bed shelter and associated services operated by the VAFCS, 53 market rental homes, ground floor space to be used for a social enterprise operated by the VAFCS including a bicycle shop, a café/bistro, and underground parking. The project is a complex of two joined towers on a parking podium. The two residential towers are joined structurally, but are otherwise separated buildings with their own elevators, circulation, exiting, and building services which allows for separation of affordable and market housing operations.

Through architecture, design, and programming, the building will celebrate and enrich the area’s vibrant Indigenous history and traditions. Community events and gatherings hosted at the building will help neighbours connect to each other and people from all cultural backgrounds will be invited to express and share their culture.