Community building redevelopment coming to Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside

VANCOUVER – A plan for a new community building in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside neighbourhood is moving ahead with additional affordable homes connected to health and social services.

The redevelopment of 301 E Hastings St. was initially planned in 2018 for 75 units and consisted of one lot. Since then, Vancouver Coastal Health Authority (VCHA), which owns 301 East Hastings has acquired three adjacent properties, and a land donation by 625 Powell Street Foundation has led to an expanded development for the site, a release said.

The building will span four lots and is expected to have up to eight storeys, featuring below-market homes for people with low to moderate incomes and supportive homes for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The first floor will be dedicated to community health services.

VCHA is engaging with health-care providers, Indigenous partners and the DTES community on the types of services that will be offered, the release said.

Planning is underway for hazardous material removal and demolition. BC Housing and the City of Vancouver will work on the design of the building with health care providers, Indigenous partners and the DTES community over the summer. The province, BC Housing and VCHA will work with the City of Vancouver for an application to redevelop the site in fall 2024.