A unique approach to affordable rental housing that’s purposefully designed for building community.
Since its opening last spring, this unique project, with its community development approach has been connecting and providing housing for individuals and families from different economic, cultural, health and societal backgrounds. Co:Here is managed and operated by Salsbury Community Society.
Fundamental to the project is a vision of community life in which people share physical space, material resources, and life experiences together. The building has been designed to facilitate this. The main floor is the focus for the communal indoor and outdoor activities. It includes dining and living spaces, a quiet room, community kitchen, guest suite, computer room, and administration spaces. The upper three floors contain twenty-six units organized into sub-groups of four or five. There is a mix of studios and one and two bedroom units. The large south facing outdoor area provides both an outdoor gathering space and an area for urban agriculture.
This projects social strategy addresses sustainability in two significant ways: its social aspect and its environmental aspect. Co:Here is designed to achieve a minimum rating of LEED Gold.
“Co:Here is a great example of the type of creative affordable housing solutions that are possible when all levels of government and our non-profit partners work together to deliver urgently needed housing…this building gives people a chance to put down roots and continue to build their community within this vibrant East Vancouver neighbourhood.”
– Gregor Robertson, Mayor, City of Vancouver
“The opportunity to operate a building that has been thoughtfully designed to foster community is a gift that is already bearing much fruit amongst residents. Indeed there were many people and organizations that contributed to Co:Here, and we are so grateful for the countless supporters and community volunteers who helped make this dream a reality. Our hope is that this project sparks imagination for what is possible with a little bit of land and a small community of people with a big vision.”
– Rebecca Pousette, Salsbury Community Society