Urban Indigenous Youth Education Complex Advances in Vancouver

The long-anticipated Urban Indigenous Youth and Education complex is moving forward in Vancouver’s Grandview-Woodland neighbourhood. A recent rezoning application has been submitted to redevelop nearly the entire city block at the southwest corner of East Hastings Street and Commercial Drive. This significant project is a collaboration between the Urban Native Youth Association (UNYA), the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT), and the City of Vancouver, with design work led by the local architectural firm HCMA.

The development site, located at 1618-1680 East Hastings St., includes low-rise structures such as UNYA’s existing facility, built in 1956, and a municipal office building constructed in 1973. The site also encompasses a vacant lot that once housed a gas station, which was donated by Suncor Energy in 2016 to support UNYA’s vision for a new community hub.

According to the rezoning application, the complex will feature approximately 80,000 sq. ft. of educational and institutional space within a four-storey podium. UNYA will occupy the eastern side, providing a community space for Indigenous youth that includes administrative offices, meeting rooms, classrooms, and wellness facilities. The western side will house NVIT, which plans to offer offices, a library, and various educational labs. A shared gymnasium on the third level will promote physical activity and community engagement.

A childcare facility for up to 44 children will be located on the partial fifth level of the podium, complemented by outdoor play areas. The social housing component will rise in a tower at the eastern end of the complex, potentially providing between 120 and 150 units. The proposed mix includes 28 studio units, 48 one-bedroom units, 48 two-bedroom units, 12 three-bedroom units, and 12 four-bedroom units. Notably, some units will offer in-home childcare services.

The tower’s design aims to prioritize cultural safety and family structures, reflecting guidance from Indigenous housing experts and community partners. The application emphasizes the integration of amenity spaces to foster connection and support among residents. Principles of universal design and trauma-informed approaches will ensure accessibility and flexibility across various ages and abilities.

UNYA has served the community since 1988, and this new complex aims to enhance its educational offerings, focusing on Indigenous youth development and providing spaces for creative arts, health services, and recreational activities. NVIT plans to introduce programs such as a Bachelor of Social Work and nursing courses at the new Vancouver campus.

This project is particularly significant as the Grandview-Woodland area is home to the largest off-reserve Indigenous population in Vancouver. UNYA’s existing facility already sees approximately 30,000 youth visits annually. The development has received initial support from the provincial government, which provided $2.5 million in funding in 2022 for business case development, design, and planning.

While the project has reached the rezoning stage, many specifics remain to be finalized. The total building floor area could reach about 229,000 sq. ft., establishing a density ratio that may exceed 5.7 times the size of the 40,300 sq. ft. lot. Plans include two underground levels accommodating approximately 140 vehicle parking stalls and 287 secured bike parking spaces.

Beyond this complex, other high-rise developments are planned for the area, with a focus on rental and social housing. Nearby, the Cressey Development Group is proposing a 22-storey tower with 239 market rental homes and 41 supportive housing units. Further south, the Aboriginal Land Trust and Lu’ma Native Housing Society plan to develop an 18-storey social housing complex with 191 units. The ongoing transformation of this neighbourhood aims to address housing needs and foster community development in a culturally sensitive manner.