Redevelopment and Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Artwork
Our new building is starting to come alive—construction is progressing smoothly and the exterior artistic elements are beginning to take shape. Public art shares culture, stories, and narratives about a place. It creates a sense of purpose, identity, and pride. Who is included and who is excluded from these public narratives matters—and that’s why we’re […]
Tenant’s Rights Are Heating Up
Ever since the deadly heat dome that scorched the Pacific Northwest in 2021, the impacts of climate change on housing policy have been an area of concern. In 2023, we advocated directly to the Minister of Housing to change the Residential Tenancy Act to disallow landlords from prohibiting tenants to install and use air conditioners. […]
The Story of FIRST UNITED is a Story about People
In May 1885, a small group of people gathered at the Hastings Mill schoolhouse for a church service. That small congregation started a history that would extend over a century—that was the start of FIRST UNITED. “Vancouver” wasn’t even the name for the city yet. The Canadian Pacific Railway didn’t yet extend to the town […]
The Downtown Eastside is our neighbour
Written by Rev. Lauren Sanders (Prairie Band Potawatomi/mshkodéni bodewadminwen, Kickapoo Nation of Kansas/kiikaapoa, African American/Black), Indigenous Spiritual Care Chaplain, for Good Friday The Downtown Eastside is our neighbour. But we often don’t see that reflected in our society or in government policies. This Holy Week, as Christians remember the events that led to the crucifixion […]
A Crisis Within a Crisis
Written by Freya Podlasly, Tāłtān and Nlaka’pamux (First Nation), Community Intern for FIRST UNITED To begin this two-part series, I would like to begin by introducing myself. My name is Freya Podlasly, I am a Tāłtān and Nlaka’pamux (First Nations) youth and a UBC student. The purpose of this is to reflect on recent developments […]
Frontline Services and Advocacy This Easter
A poster from the supportive housing rally that took place outside Vancouver City Hall on Wednesday, February 26. We were at the Vancouver City Council meeting the day they passed the devastating and damaging motion to pause new supportive housing projects in the city. We’ve been doing a lot of advocacy here at FIRST UNITED […]
FIRST UNITED Statement: Supportive Housing Motion Passes
Yesterday, Vancouver City Council voted to pass the motion to pause net-new supportive housing projects within Vancouver. After listening to over 80 speakers, including the FIRST UNITED Executive Director and Board Chair, overwhelmingly voice their opposition, Council chose to move forward with a damaging motion that will exacerbate homelessness and the affordable housing crisis and […]
Coldest Night of the Year 2025 Recap
Coldest Night of the Year 2025 was a massive success! We had our biggest CNOY ever, and it’s thanks to all who walked, fundraised, donated, volunteered and raised awareness for the Downtown Eastside. We’re so thrilled to announce that we ended the night exceeding our goal of $120,000, and as of today, we’ve surpassed $126,000 […]
This Place for Displaced
When folks come to us for shelter, we want them to feel welcome and that they belong. That was the idea behind commissioning artwork for our shelter— to make it feel more like a home and less like an institution. To achieve this, we commissioned a piece by Downtown Eastside artist Rickie “Sugars” that now […]
Planning for Climate Resiliency
When planning the design of our new building, we couldn’t ignore the current and future effects of climate change, especially considering the impact that we want the building to have in the Downtown Eastside for generations to come. Extreme weather like intense rain and flooding, severe cold snaps, oppressive heat domes, and wildfire smoke poses […]