Unique firehall/single mothers residence opens in Vancouver

As partnerships go, the one that has resulted in 31 new homes for single mothers and their children above a rebuilt firehall in Vancouver's Champlain Heights is unquestionably unique.

Firehall No. 5 on East 54th Avenue and Kerr Street will now also be home to up to 90 women and children through a projectdeveloped with the YWCA Pacific Spirit Terrace andCity of Vancouver Fire Rescue Services.

"YWCA Pacific Spirit Terrace is an example of what government and non-profit organizations can do together when we partner to address the housing crisis," said Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart.

The bottom two floors of the building house the firehall, while the top four floors contain two and three bedroom apartments that will rent for between $520 and $1,164 per month. There's also a rooftop patio and access to YWCA services on site.

The project, which has been in the works for over four years, cost theCity of Vancouver $11 million for the firehall replacement and $6.66 million of the $11.37 million spent constructing the housing units.

YWCA Metro Vancouver raised the remainder of the housing costs with contributions from the provincial and federal governments, the Pacific Spirit Foundation and Streetohome Foundation.

The original Firehall No. 5 was built in 1952 and had outgrown its usefulness.