Capital Campaigns
YWCA Vancouver has committed to fundraise $1 million towards the construction and furbishing of our third single mothers' housing project. The property is located at 528 Como Lake Avenue and will allow for 30 two and three bedroom units with amenity space and an outdoor play area. The project is now in the design stage, readying itself for a development permit and re-zoning before the end of the year.
BC Housing, one of our partners, has requested that we design and build the building to the high certified LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold Standard. Certification as a LEED building demonstrates a commitment to sustainability by meeting higher than normal building standards in environmental responsibility and energy efficiency.
This has meant that Como Lake Gardens is looking at ways to be more energy efficient, have fewer emissions for better air quality and have an overall smaller carbon footprint. We will be designing the building envelope to include insulation, roofing, windows and exterior materials that will retain more heat in the winter and resist heat build-up in the summer. We will be sourcing products that are made from recyclable materials and use paints, carpets and other finishings with fewer off gases. Landscaping will incorporate drought tolerant plants, and the number of parking spaces will be reduced because the building is located two blocks from public transit. The biggest environmental benefit will come from a heating and cooling system designed to use geothermal ground sources.
In addition, we will incorporate sustainable features to reduce dampness and deterioration and improve weather protection. Rain screen cavity walls, overhangs, and brick and metal claddings will extend the life of the building and provide more comfort with less maintenance.
In the end, we all win. Our moms and kids will have quality comfortable homes to live in, the YWCA can reduce its operational costs and extend its commitment to sustainabiity, and the community will gain from a beautifully designed building that uses fewer resources.
We have already received significant commitments to support the project, including a 60-year lease at nominal value from the City of Coquitlam and over $9 million from the Province of BC through BC Housing.
We are pleased to announce that we have received a donation of $500,000 from an anonymous individual donor. We are currently undertaking a capital campaign to raise the additional $500,000 and your contribution would be greatly appreciated to help us reach our goal of providing housing for single mothers in need.
For more information, contact:
Celia Campos
Manager, Fund Development
YWCA Vancouver
535 Hornby Street
Vancouver, BC V6C 2E8
tel 604 895 5810
fax 604 681 9171
ccampos@ywcavan.org
or
Èlia Robles
Manager, Fund Development
YWCA Vancouver
535 Hornby Street
Vancouver, BC V6C 2E8
tel 604 895 5856
fax 604 681 9171
erobles@ywcavan.org
