‘A place to truly call home’: YWCA Housing
Safe, affordable housing remains out of reach for many single mothers and their children in British Columbia, especially for those leaving violence. But through a partnership with BC Housing’s Women’s Transition Housing Fund, 125 families now have access to stable homes after the opening of three new YWCA housing communities.
YWCA Left Field and YWCA Harbour Grove, in Vancouver, are close to parks, public transportation, grocery stores and recreation services.
YWCA Peggy Mackenzie Terrace in Langley is also conveniently located near schools and green spaces. The community is named after 625 Powell Street Foundation Director Donald Mackenzie’s mother. The 625 Powell Street Foundation has supported the YWCA in building affordable housing throughout the region.
“Intimate partner violence is one of the leading causes of homelessness for women,” said YWCA BC CEO Erin Seeley. “When we provide stable, affordable housing for women and children, we’re supporting their long-term safety and overall well-being.”
YWCA Left Field and YWCA Peggy Mackenzie Terrace both offer long-term units at rent geared to income rates. YWCA Harbour Grove offers temporary, second-stage transition housing. All homes are for women and children leaving violence.
YWCA BC staff will provide onsite wraparound support as well as connections to YWCA programs to support personal and economic well-being.
“Finding the support of the YWCA allowed me to become independent and to build a new life with my two daughters,” said Sandra, a YWCA Housing resident. “For the first time in a long time, we had a place we could truly call home.”
With these openings, YWCA BC now operates 21 housing communities across the Lower Mainland. Even so, the need for stable housing remains critical in our communities, with more than 1,000 families applying to be on our waitlist each year.
To address this urgent need, we are continually pursuing new housing options and new partnerships. Our Housing Action Fund enables us to respond quickly when these opportunities arise and accelerate early project activities.
To find out how you can support the YWCA Housing Action Fund, visit ywcabc.org/housing-action-fund or reach out to Shantal Cashman at scashman@ywcabc.org or 604 895 5859.
