VANCOUVER — The British Columbia government has announced its support for Salvation Army’s new Harbour Light supportive housing project at 130 East Cordova St. in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.
The province, through BC Housing, is funding 57 new supportive homes at Harbour Light, it was announced recently. A combined 211 supportive homes and shelter spaces are underway or will be preserved for the homeless population in the Downtown Eastside as part of the province’s contributions to the broader Harbour Light redevelopment.
The new Harbour Light project will replace the Salvation Army’s existing facility at 119 East Cordova St. and will provide a total of 300 new units, including 46 affordable rental homes, 134 permanent shelter beds, 50 correctional beds and 70 supportive homes. The new facility will also include a community programming space.
The emergency shelter and transition facilities in the community are intended to enable clients to focus on their health, obtain shelter, participate in substance-use recovery programs, access affordable housing, build employment skills and re-establish their community connections.
Funding for the new Harbour Light building includes a $29.6-million equity contribution through the Supportive Housing Fund from BC Housing; $23.6 through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Affordable Housing Fund; $3.6 million from Correctional Service of Canada; and $756,000 in fee waivers and a Community Housing Incentive Program grant funding totalling $910,000 from the City of Vancouver.
The Salvation Army is providing the land for the site as well as $43.6 million in funding toward the project.
Construction on the new Harbour Light facility is underway and expected to be complete in 2026. During construction, the Salvation Army will continue to provide housing, programming and supports from its current location at 119 East Cordova St. as well as operate a temporary shelter on East Hastings Street.
“The new Harbour Light facility will offer additional safe housing options to people who need it most in the DTES,” stated Minister of Housing Ravi Kahlon in a statement. “This project is an example of what can be realized when partners work together to help address the complex challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness in Vancouver.”
In addition, BC Housing has purchased the existing Harbour Light building at 119 East Cordova St. to preserve the current 124 affordable homes and 30 shelter beds. The building will be assessed for repairs and renovations, which are anticipated to begin in 2026 once the new Harbour Light facility is complete.
BC Housing is leasing the building back to the Salvation Army at a nominal rate until the new Harbour Light facility is ready.
Full details on 119 East Cordova St. and plans for its future use will be made available once finalized.
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