Lease opportunity: Indigenous social facility (Saa'ust Centre), 3rd floor at 425 Columbia Street

Steps to apply

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  Step 1: Review the intended use and goals

  Facility objectives

  • To provide culturally safe and trauma-informed support services for families and survivors affected by Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG), including:
    • Counselling
    • Cultural activities
    • Access to Elders and Knowledge Keepers
    • Art programs like silk screening and beading
  • To serve as a community hub for information sharing and referrals
  • To offer access to cultural services and healing for Indigenous people in the Downtown Eastside and across the city
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  Step 2: Confirm if your organization is eligible

  Who is eligible

  Eligibility is open to any of these groups:

  • Registered Indigenous-led non-profit societies, community service co-ops, or social enterprise fully owned by an Indigenous-led non-profit, and in good standing with the Registrar of Companies
  • Registered Indigenous-led charities in good standing with the Canadian Revenue Agency and Work Safe BC
  • First Nations Bands

  Your organization must also:

  • Have policies and procedures to manage your organization. You must also be able to keep accurate financial records and buy the necessary insurance addressing the insurance and liability requirements outlined in the sublease.
  • Follow the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms External website, opens in new tab and the British Columbia Human Rights Code External website, opens in new tab
  • Have a strong and active history of providing social services that help the urban Indigenous community in Vancouver, taking into account different aspects of their identities and experiences
  • Maintain strong connections with Indigenous and non-Indigenous social service organizations in the Downtown Eastside and throughout the city
  • Demonstrate strong financial, administrative, and organizational capacity to operate the space

  Information icon Applicants must have an active governing body made up of volunteers. If you are not registered as one of the above, you may partner with a fiscal sponsor (a registered non-profit society or registered charity) to meet this requirement.

  Who is not eligible

  Organizations that:

  • Are not Indigenous-led or don't have Indigenous Peoples leading their solutions and services 
  • Don't have experience providing social services to urban Indigenous communities
  • Are for profit

  Information icon This opportunity is not open to individuals or organizations seeking to rent a portion of the space as a subtenant.

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  Step 3: Review lease terms

  ALTS will sublease the new Saa'ust Centre to the selected operator for $10 over a 10-year term. 

  The operator will be responsible for:

  • Administrative, programming, and operating costs
  • Additional space improvements including specialized equipment
  • Maintenance and minor repairs
  • Start-up expenses
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  Step 4: Check key dates

  Details	Date
  Online information meeting	May 27, 2026, at 9am
  Deadline for submitting enquiries by email	July 10, 2026
  Expression of Interest (EOI) deadline	August 28, 2026, at 5pm
  Occupancy of premises	Fall 2026

  Information icon Dates and submission processes are subject to change.

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  Step 5: Consider what's required before applying

  Vision and need

  • Has your organization been educated on the MMIWG2S Calls for Justice and Principles of Change External website, opens in new tab? How are you implementing them into your work currently?
  • How does your interest in operating the new Saa’ust Centre align with your organization’s vision, mission, strategic plan, and long-term goals? 
  • How does your proposal reflect our social service priorities outlined in Spaces to Thrive, Vancouver’s Social Infrastructure Strategy PDF file (18 MB)?
    • How does it contribute towards a response to the calls for justice identified in Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls External website, opens in new tab? 
  • How does your proposal support the facility goals and intended use for the new Saa’ust Centre, including offering social services that are culturally safe and trauma informed?

  Equity and Reconciliation 

  • How does your proposal support the directions outlined in our key frameworks and strategy? These include:​
    • Reconciliation Framework PDF file (150 KB)
    • Equity Framework PDF file (4 MB)
    • UNDRIP Strategy PDF file (1.4 MB)
  • How does your proposal demonstrate principles of equity, accessibility, diversity, and inclusion?

  Readiness: Organization, financial, and funding 

  • How well-established, stable, and sustainable is your organization? Does your organization have a detailed and realistic operational plan in place?
  • Does your proposal include a feasible operating budget for the 4,000 square foot social purpose facility? 
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  Step 6: Prepare and submit your application

  When the lease opportunity application submission opens:

  1. Download the Request for Expressions of Interest  Word file (1 MB) to learn more about this lease opportunity, lease terms, and eligibility requirements. 
  2. Download a fillable Expression of Interest (EOI) Application Form Word file (154 KB).
  3. Attend an optional information session online on May 27, 2026 at 9am. Email [email protected] to request a meeting link. During this session, you can ask questions about the lease opportunity before the submission deadline.
  4. Submit the completed Expression of Interest (EOI) application form and all accompanying documents by no later than 5pm PST on August 28, 2026.
     
     Information icon Submissions will be received by email only at [email protected].