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

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

ALT 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

Information icon Dates and submission processes are subject to change.

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

Information icon If you are Indigenous and offer solutions-based initiatives to Indigenous Peoples as part of a program or initiative delivered by a non-Indigenous-led organization, you could be eligible to apply for this lease opportunity.  Email communityspaces@vancouver.ca for more details. 

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.

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? 

When the lease opportunity application submission opens:

1. Complete the pre-application questionnaire online to make sure your organization meets the eligibility requirements for this lease opportunity.
2. Eligible applicants will receive an invitation to register for an online information session.
   • During this session, you can ask questions about the lease opportunity before the submission deadline.
   • Applicants will receive a link to submit their application online.