Recognizing the urgent need for housing in the DTES and the profound need to center reconciliation and healing, First United partnered with Lu’ma Native BCH Housing Society (LNBCH), an experienced Indigenous affordable housing society, to maximize the potential of the East Hastings site and enable the development of safe, secure, below-market housing for Indigenous Peoples.

The new four-storey 42,000-square-foot community and worship centre, nearly three times larger than its previous facility, was purpose-built to support First United’s programs and operations. The space expands existing services and introduces new amenities, including a library, computer lab, counselling rooms, day-sleeping spaces, and indoor and outdoor community gathering areas. This facility serves as the pedestal for an additional seven stories of affordable housing.

Residents will have full access to First United services as well as to joint LNBCH-First United programming (currently under development) and to the First United meal program, which will provide access to two meals a day. This additional support will help provide housing residents with the supportive living situation they need in order to thrive, minimizing returns to homelessness and enabling residents to become self-sufficient contributors to the local community.