Terra partners with LDM to develop the Aboriginal Land Trust’s Indigenous Housing and Healing Center in Vancouver, BC.
Terra is honoured to partner with our sister company, Lu’ma Development Management (LDM), in the development of the Aboriginal Land Trust’s Indigenous Housing and Healing Centre—a transformative project set to complete construction in 2025.
This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to reconciliACTION by supporting projects that serve as beacons of hope, healing, and stability for Indigenous Peoples. The Centre represents an innovative approach to creating a safe, inclusive urban space grounded in dignity, respect, honour, and love. It is designed to support both Indigenous residents of the new building and Urban Indigenous community members in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.
Project Overview
The Centre will feature an 11-storey mixed-use building that includes:
A Community Food Centre on the ground floor
A medical and dental clinic on the 2nd and part of the 3rd floor
Additional Indigenous community service agencies on the 3rd floor
53 supportive housing units for adults
59 affordable housing units for low- to moderate-income Indigenous individuals and families
The building will also include:
Outdoor decks on four levels for tenant use
A permanent ceremonial space on the 3rd floor, used by Indigenous healers as part of traditional health practices offered by the Vancouver Aboriginal Health Society
A Coast Salish–inspired longhouse on the top floor, offering panoramic views of the North Shore Mountains and serving as a space for gathering, recreation, and celebration
The building’s design was shaped through a unique visioning process involving Elders and Knowledge Keepers from the host Nations. It will feature artwork by Debra Sparrow, symbolizing a longhouse wrapped in a blanket.
Project Partners
Key partners whose commitment and support all helped make this project possible include:
Lu’ma Native Housing Society – Operations and Building Management
RainCity Housing and Support Society – Supportive Housing Services
Vancouver Aboriginal Health Society – Health and Healing Services
Urban Arts Architecture – Project Architect
ITC Projects – Construction Management
Funding support has been provided by BC Housing (through the Indigenous Housing Fund), Indigenous Services Canada, CMHC, Reaching Home, and the City of Vancouver.
A Unique Partnership
LDM has called upon Terra to collaborate on leading the development management for this project, combining Terra’s 40 years of industry experience with LDM’s Indigenous leadership and commitment to decolonizing the development process.
This partnership began in 2017 when Terra co-founded LDM after decades of collaboration with Lu’ma Native Housing Society—an Indigenous-owned and operated organization with deep expertise in affordable housing and support services for Indigenous Peoples. Since its inception, LDM has taken the lead on all Indigenous-focused projects, while Terra continues to serve non-Indigenous clients.
Together, we share knowledge and experience to support Indigenous-led housing initiatives like this one.
Our Commitment to Reconciliation
Reconciliation is a core pillar of Terra’s business strategy. Our involvement in the PAIR (Partnership Accreditation in Indigenous Relations) program has deepened our understanding of how to support both Indigenous and non-profit service providers in delivering impactful, community-driven projects.
Our collaboration with LDM has enriched our perspective and strengthened our ability to support clients in ways that align with decolonizing the development process. We are committed to meeting our clients wherever they are on their reconciliation journey—ensuring their engagement with Indigenous Peoples is respectful, meaningful, and aligned with their values.
Since its founding, LDM has grown into a leading Indigenous-led development management firm, with over 2,300 homes for Indigenous communities completed or in development—both on and off reserve—across the traditional territories of Indigenous Peoples who have stewarded these lands since time immemorial.
🔗 Learn more about LDM: lumadevelopment.ca
🔗 Learn more about Terra’s work with LDM: terrahousing.ca/indigenous-development