New homes for members of the Trans, Gender Diverse, and Two Spirit community to open in Vancouver

A 24-room single room occupancy (SRO) hotel, which will provide homes for Trans, Gender Diverse, and Two Spirit (TGD2S) residents who are overrepresented among those experiencing homelessness, is set to begin accepting residents.

Ross-Aoki House, which we purchased using revenue from the Empty Homes Tax, will welcome tenants from the TGD2S community who often face barriers accessing safe, adequate, and culturally appropriate housing. 

Speaking about the project, Celine Mauboules, Managing Director of Homelessness Services and Affordable Housing Programs, says: “Ross-Aoki House presents an important opportunity to create equitable housing that prioritizes underserved communities who face barriers to accessing safe, affordable, and culturally appropriate housing. We look forward to working with the local community and TGD2S groups to ensure that this approach to housing allows people to go from surviving to thriving in their new homes.”

We have appointed Atira as the operator of the new building, located at 313 Alexander St. 

Collaborating to ensure the needs of the community are met

"Atira is eager to begin operations at Ross-Aoki House, the first housing program geared towards 2SLGBTQ+ and/or gender diverse adults in BC,” says Aaron Munro, a Director with Atira. “We are thrilled to be working with members of this new community at Ross-Aoki House to develop safer, culturally informed and gender affirming housing and supports; and we are excited to share learnings from this project across our agency and with our partners and colleagues who we know share our goal of increasing safety for 2SLGBTQ+ and/or gender diverse people within the supportive housing sector."  

Karina Zeidler, MD, CCFP says, “As a physician who serves many Trans and Gender Diverse people I’m excited to learn about the new Atira housing project. Trans people face systemic discrimination and oppression, leading to increased rates of poverty and homelessness. Access to stable housing improves health outcomes and reduces barriers for those seeking gender-affirming medical and surgical interventions.”

In addition to prioritizing Trans, Gender Diverse, and Two Spirit (TGD2S) residents, the City and Atira are exploring new ways that housing and service providers can collaborate to ensure that the needs of this community are heard and met. 

How to apply

People who are interested in living in the property can apply via transhousing@atira.ca. Existing tenants that are currently living at Ross-Aoki House are able to remain in their homes. Tenants who wish to move would be offered alternative housing.