Sp'óq'es Lá:lém
23 new homes for urban Indigenous families and individuals
Sp'óq'es Lá:lém, meaning bird’s nest or house, sits on land purchased by Lu’ma Native Housing Society to build low-end market rental units to meet the organization’s mandate to provide homes for Indigenous people across the housing continuum. The 4-storey, 23 unit rental building features a combination of studio, one- and two-bedroom units. It is located on a bus route and features a rooftop gathering space.
The project began as a market developer-driven project at the Development Permit stage. Lu’ma Development Management (LDM) was responsible for managing the process of acquiring and purchasing the property from the Provincial Rental Housing Corporation. LDM also oversaw the design and municipal permitting process to adapt the project to meet the Society’s rental guidelines and the funder’s budgetary constraints.
LDM also supported the artist procurement process, as well as the blessing ceremony and traditional copper plate burial that were held on the site prior to the start of construction to honour the land and connect its past to its future.
LAND
Located on the traditional territory of the the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and səl̓ilwətaɬ Peoples, in what is now known as Vancouver, BC
The building sits on land purchased by Lu’ma Native Housing Society to build low-end market rental units to meet the organization’s mandate to provide homes for Indigenous people across the housing continuum.
PEOPLE
TARGET POPULATION: Designed for low-income urban Indigenous families and individuals
CLIENT + OPERATOR: Lu’ma Native Housing Society
BUILDING
UNITS: 23 new homes
STATUS: Completed in 2021
CULTURAL EXPRESSION: The building features artwork created by Cory Douglas that tells the First Nations legend of the Moon, the night guardian of the earth, and celebrates its power to provide guidance and vision.
FUNDING
LDM has supported the Society / Nation to secure funding … (if applicable)
FUNDERS: CMHC’s Rental Construction Financing Initiative Program and BC Housing