Lease opportunity: Social and cultural facility at 5740 Cambie Street

Information icon Dates and submission processes are subject to change.

The social facility will be leased on a nominal rent basis.

The operator will be responsible for:

• Administrative, programming, and operating costs
• Any moveable furniture, audio-visual, and special equipment
• Additional space improvements including specialized equipment
• Maintenance and minor repairs
• Start-up expenses

Who is eligible

Eligibility is open to any of these groups:

• Registered 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 charities in good standing with the Canadian Revenue Agency
• First Nations Bands

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.

Additional requirements

Your organization must also:

• Be registered and in good standing with WorkSafeBC
• Have policies and procedures to manage your organization.
• Be able to keep accurate financial records
• Be able to purchase the necessary insurance addressing the insurance and liability requirements outlined in the lease.
• 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
• Deliver programs to Vancouver residents and Vancouver based non-profits
• Have a strong and active history of providing social or ethno-cultural services that address the diverse needs of the Vancouver community, taking into account various aspects of people's identities and experiences. 
• Demonstrate strong financial, administrative, and organizational capacity to operate the space.

Information icon The evaluation criteria listed above are not in any specific order of importance.

Who is not eligible

Organizations that:

• Are not providing social or ethno-cultural services
• Don't have administrative or financial capacity to assume head tenant role and responsibilities 
• Are for-profit

We aim to include social and cultural service organizations from Indigenous communities and other diverse or historically underrepresented groups. By doing so, we make sure that the tenant mix reflects the social and cultural needs of the neighborhood and the city.

Information icon The space will be subleased on a cost recovery basis, balancing sustainability with affordability.

Vision and need

• How does your interest in operating the new social and cultural hub 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 your proposal support the facility goals and intended use for the new social and cultural hub, including the ability to assume the head tenant role and responsibilities?

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 14,500 square foot social purpose facility? 

Information icon We estimate operating costs to be approximately $11 per square foot per year, including applicable taxes, insurance, utilities, internet, telephone, among other expenses.

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 and non-profit organizations interested in subleasing space at this location are invited to attend an information meeting.
   • 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.