Community Stories

Gardens play an important role in creating spaces where people can relax and connect. Gardening can be a therapeutic and grounding experience.

Brenda Knights was raised by her grandmother. Through her, Brenda learned the value of intergenerational care, connection, and quiet resilience. Now, as CEO of the BC Indigenous Housing Society, she’s carrying those lessons forward.

In the heart of Vancouver, Soroptimist House is breaking new ground with a project for women, by women. Driven by a dedicated team, 135 new affordable rental homes are being built for women and single mothers.

The community of Greenbrook has a mobile library that brings books right to their doorstep. But it’s more than just a van with books; it’s a way to bring people together and share the joy of reading.

Ever since her teens, Cindy wanted to be a social worker. Her dream came from years of volunteering at the local Neighbourhood House. Grassroots community builders, each Neighbourhood House provides unique local learning and supports. The caring, welcoming youth and social workers inspired her.

Moving out is hard for anyone. It’s tougher for people facing barriers. The Okanagan Village Housing Society (OVHS) and family helped.

The residents of Campbell Lodge in Victoria had been struggling with overheating in their units for years. So, when they got the good news their 45-year-old building would be upgraded, they were excited.

Rohani moved to Vancouver’s Strathcona neighbourhood from Iraq when she was three. She grew up in a big, supportive family that always had food on the table.

Island Crisis Care Society’s Project Rise program in Nanaimo helps people transitioning out of homelessness gain skills, confidence, and work experience through four weeks of training and job placements.

Dayna, once a youth in care who experienced homelessness and trauma, now supports young people through A Way Home Kamloops, helping them build stability, life skills, and confidence. The organization offers safe housing, culturally informed support for Indigenous youth, and tailored services for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, ensuring each young person’s goals and needs are heard.

Queer and trans youth accessing Vancouver’s Directions Youth Services Centre face homelessness, discrimination, and limited family support, often due to marginalization tied to their identities. To meet their needs, the centre provides 24/7 services including meals, harm‑reduction supports, shelter, and culturally inclusive programming delivered by staff with shared lived experience.

Residents at Evergreen Terrace in Victoria transformed a once‑busy concrete courtyard into a calming community garden filled with flowers, murals, and collaborative art. Led by community gardener and artist Claude Gamache, the project brought together neighbours of all ages—including children—to create shared artworks like the Inclusion Signpost, painted rocks, and vibrant murals.

The Aboriginal Housing Society of Prince George leads healing circles, drumming, arts and crafts, and a community garden, helping residents rebuild wellness, reduce isolation, and reconnect with traditional practices. Through its Indigenous Support Program, the Society also links tenants with services ranging from home care and daycare to job training, creating holistic, culturally grounded support for residents.

The Father Delestre complex in Kelowna underwent extensive renovations to improve aging infrastructure, including new insulation, energy‑efficient windows and doors, refreshed exteriors, and safer walkways. These upgrades significantly reduced energy use, improved comfort and safety for the 78 senior households, and extended the buildings’ lifespan by decades. [news.bchousing.org]

BC Housing has created a new bursary in memory of youth homelessness advocate Katherine McParland to support young adults aged 18–25 with lived experience of housing instability pursuing studies in social work or community services. The bursary continues McParland’s legacy of championing youth voices and improving supports for vulnerable young people.

Libby Lodge, a 44‑unit seniors’ residence in West Vancouver, underwent major rehabilitation. These improvements boosted energy efficiency, enhanced safety and comfort, and extended the building’s lifespan so future seniors can continue to age in place.

The Awakening the Spirit Art Show in Vernon showcased artwork created by Canadian Mental Health Association clients, highlighting their creativity, resilience, and lived experiences with mental illness.

At səmiq̓ʷəʔelə/Riverview, a new kʷikʷəƛ̓əm house post—carved from a 600‑year‑old cedar—was unveiled as a powerful symbol of healing, resilience, and reconnection to ancestral lands. The post now stands outside the Red Fish Healing Centre, honouring kʷikʷəƛ̓əm heritage while welcoming and watching over those seeking mental health and addiction treatment.

As part of the 2021 Vancouver Mural Festival, the Black Strathcona Resurgence Project installed murals by Black, Indigenous, and allied artists throughout Strathcona to restore visibility to a community displaced by the Georgia and Dunsmuir viaducts.

A partnership between BC Housing and Edgar Development is enabling the potential redevelopment of Port Moody’s Woodland Park into more than 2,000 homes, including up to 325 below‑market rentals funded by $140 million in provincial financing. By combining public investment with privately donated land, the project aims to deliver affordable housing, phased tenant relocation options, and new community amenities.

A new 28‑unit building in Vanderhoof will provide 20 affordable homes for seniors and eight suites for people living with dementia, addressing long‑standing gaps that left many patients stuck in hospital due to a lack of housing options.