The City of Vancouver has approved new temporary modular homes at 610 and 620 Cambie Street (formerly 688 Cambie Street). The site will house the future new Vancouver Art Gallery.

The two new buildings will provide 98 safe and stable new homes for individuals who are presently homeless, with the priority being homeless people living in the local neighbourhood.

The temporary modular housing buildings will be constructed by Horizon North. Construction will begin next week, and it is expected that the buildings will open this fall.

Each new suite will be 320 square feet and will contain a kitchenette, bathroom, and living/sleeping area. A total of six homes in each building will be wheelchair accessible. Each has individual heating and cooling, allowing the residents autonomy in their living spaces.

The buildings will also include a large indoor amenity space with a commercial kitchen to encourage social interaction and provide a communal space for the residents to gather.

There will also be common laundry facilities, an administration office, and meeting rooms for the staff and residents to use to provide services for an independent but supported lifestyle.

The front yard of the buildings will have a shared amenity space with tables and gardening planters for the residents to use.

Funding was provided by the B.C. government’s $66 million commitment towards building 600 new homes to address the immediate needs of homeless residents in Vancouver.

Non-profit housing operator MPA Society has been selected by BC Housing to operate the complex, including offering residents life skills training and employment preparation.

The city has approved several temporary modular housing projects, which are in various stages of the development and approval process.