The Tung Sam Lau, a new supportive-housing building in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, will provide 76 new homes for senior Chinese women, and other women and families of Chinese and Indigenous heritage.
The building will help its residents to continue living near the community they call home while receiving the supports they need in Vancouver’s Victory Square neighbourhood.
“The Tung Sam Lau building demonstrates B.C.’s commitment to building homes where people can remain in the communities they love and call home,” said Christine Boyle, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs. “This type of supportive housing will provide the valuable supports needed to help seniors age in place and help families stay together. This housing responds to the specific identified needs that will strengthen this Vancouver neighbourhood, and the Province, through BC Housing, is proud to be working in partnership with the City of Vancouver and the federal government through CMHC to get this meaningful work done.”
The new 10-storey, 76-unit building is at 177 West Pender St. in Vancouver. The building will provide 24-hour support to residents, with 40 units prioritized for senior Chinese women.
Partnerships and funding
This project is the result of a partnership between the Province through BC Housing, the Government of Canada through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), the City of Vancouver and the Community Land Trust (CLT).
“It’s a pleasure to celebrate the opening of Tung Sam Lau, bringing 76 safe, supportive homes for women in the Downtown Eastside,” said Ken Sim, mayor of Vancouver. “This project shows what’s possible when governments and community partners work together to deliver culturally appropriate housing that meets the needs of seniors and strengthens community connections. The City of Vancouver is proud to support inclusive housing that helps residents remain near the communities they call home.”
- The Province, through BC Housing, is providing approximately $2 million in annual operating funding and approximately $165,000 in startup funding.
- Construction of the building was funded through the Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI) delivered through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) under the National Housing Strategy. RHI provided funding to facilitate the rapid construction of new housing and the acquisition of existing buildings for the purpose of rehabilitation or conversion to permanent affordable housing units.
- The City of Vancouver has provided $8.2 million for the construction of the project and a land lease contribution of approximately $11 million.
To provide the most appropriate and effective supports to residents, CLT has contracted Atira Women’s Resource Society to manage day-to-day operations of the building. Atira has extensive experience managing supportive housing for women in the Downtown Eastside.
“Tung Sam Lau reflects the strength of partnership-driven housing that is rooted in community, culture and care,” said Michelle Cooper-Iversen, chief operations officer, Community Land Trust. “This new building provides permanent, affordable homes for senior women who face barriers to housing, offering stability, dignity and culturally responsive supports. It’s a meaningful step toward strengthening the Downtown Eastside while ensuring long-term affordability is protected.”
Culturally appropriate supports
Part of the vision of Tung Sam Lau is to support Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside population. To achieve this, Atira has consulted with S.U.C.C.E.S.S., an organization that specializes in providing housing and supports to the Chinese community, to ensure programming and supports are culturally informed and appropriate for the Chinese community.
“We were accepted by Tung Sam Lau at one of the most difficult times in our lives, and it is hard to put our gratitude into words,” said building resident Bing. “With the support of staff, neighbours and community organizations, we felt warmth, care and a true sense of belonging.”