Burnaby’s new L’Arche residence unites accessible housing with ‘community of inclusion’

L’Arche Vancouver has a “spirituality of communion” that is based on the community working together, Archbishop J. Michael Miller told dozens of L’Arche community members and guests who gathered for the Sept. 20 opening of L’Arche Greater Vancouver’s new Burnaby housing facility.  

Archbishop Miller recounted his first visit to the Burnaby L’Arche location when he became Archbishop of Vancouver. He had been impressed by the artwork of the residents, prominently framed and displayed around the dated facility. 

The art was treated with all the care of a masterpiece, he said, and the impression has remained with him since then that L’Arche is “a community of inclusion” in which “the gifts of every individual are brought to the surface and valued.”

While the event celebrated the facility’s “official” opening, the community’s members have been calling the building home for a few months, and one of its nine residents, Conrad Der, spoke at the event with his friend Melissa who asked him questions.  

He loves spending time with the others who live in the building, as well as picking up new skills from them. 

“I love this place,” he told The B.C. Catholic after the event. “I have lots of company.” 

The building also gives Der the opportunity to participate in Neighbours Helping Neighbours, a local group that connects people in the community for fun and support, without the need to travel like he did at the old facility.  

 “We are celebrating people,” said MLA for Burnaby-Edmunds Raj Chouhan, who described a relationship he built with founding community member Ken Milne, whom he met for weekly tea.   

Ken has since passed away, but Chouhan’s recounting of the story, along with the mention of other founding members who have since died, highlighted the value placed on each individual in the L’Arche community, past and present.  

“I can’t find words to say how proud I am [about this development],” Chouhan said. “My association with L’Arche has made me a wonderful man.” 

Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley agreed.  “When you come to these places it really does make you a better person,” he said.  

L’Arche Greater Vancouver’s executive director FeiFei Peng told the gathering the new facility is “the result of a dream.” The organization could have simply replaced its out of date buildings, she said, “but we were encouraged to dream big.”  

“Not only did we replace our three homes and make it possible for us to grow our two community inclusion programs, but we have also been able to welcome 10 adults with developmental disabilities who can live semi-independently surrounded by a supportive community.” 

“We’re very proud of what we’ve accomplished and very grateful for everyone who joined us in making the dream a reality,” she said. “Welcome to the new home of L’Arche Vancouver.” 

Three levels of government contributed $13.6 million toward the building’s $37 million cost. Long-term financing and L’Arche’s $6 million “We All Belong” fundraising campaign made up the balance.  

“This is yet another example of working together with all orders of government to get things done,” said Steveston-Richmond East MP Parm Bains, representing federal Housing Minister Sean Fraser. “We are building the housing we need in our communities. Investing in low-cost accessible housing helps to prevent homelessness and other unsafe living conditions for our most vulnerable residents.”

Archbishop Miller, who chaired the honourary campaign committee, was thanked by L’Arche Greater Vancouver Board President Jim Lattimer for the Archdiocese of Vancouver’s involvement in the project.  

Not only did the Archbishop open his door to L’Arche, communications director Sigrid Stark told The B.C. Catholic, “he opened doors to other potential donors, and gave us advice.” Without that support, the campaign would not have been a success, she said.

The facility itself, located at 7415 Sussex in Burnaby, sets a new “standard for community housing,” said the Archbishop. It includes 10 rental units for L’Arche community members and an additional 29 units for individuals, couples, and families who want to live in the intentional community.  

The hope is that the new facility, and especially the new rental units, will create an innovative space where people who have limited experience with people with developmental disabilities can join them in a live-in community. 

L’Arche Greater Vancouver has supported adults with developmental disabilities since 1974.

Your voice matters! Join the conversation by submitting a Letter to the Editor here.