A Near-Complete Project, Ready for its Final Step
Partners for Affordable Housing is working alongside Soroptimist International of Vancouver and Purpose Driven Development to help unlock the final stage of Soroptimist House, an innovative development bringing 135 affordable rental homes to women in Vancouver.
Now nearing completion, the project represents years of collaboration, planning and construction. With most funding secured and construction well underway, a remaining $500,000 in last-mile capital will ensure the project can be fully delivered and ready to welcome residents.
This is a clear example of how targeted investment at the right moment can move a project from near-complete to fully realized.
A Partnership Designed to Deliver Impact
Soroptimist International is a global organization dedicated to empowering women and girls through education, advocacy, and community service. Soroptimist International of Vancouver, chartered in 1926 as the first Soroptimist club in Canada is focused on improving the lives of women and girls in our community, and is celebrating 100 years of advancing opportunities for women. The organization has partnered with Purpose Driven Development, a Vancouver-based real estate development firm specializing in complex, community-focused real estate projects, to bring this vision to life.
Together, they are delivering 135 homes for workforce women, senior women and women-led families in a central, transit-oriented neighbourhood.
The project reflects a shared commitment to addressing a critical gap in housing. Women are disproportionately impacted by housing insecurity due to systemic factors such as wage disparity, caregiving responsibilities and the impacts of gender-based violence.
By aligning mission-driven leadership with development expertise, this women-led partnership is demonstrating what is possible when projects are designed with specific community needs at the centre.
What This Project Delivers
Soroptimist House will provide a mix of deeply affordable and below-market rental homes, ensuring accessibility for women at different stages of life.
- 50% of homes will be rent-geared-to-income
- 20% will be deeply subsidized at shelter rates
- 30% will be offered at below-market rents
Designed as an intergenerational community, the building will include shared and flexible spaces that support connection, wellbeing and long-term stability. This project is about empowering women to have a space of their own. It’s a story of vision and creating a home rooted in community.
“There is a strong connection between housing and well-being. Soroptimist International of Vancouver’s innovative building project will help women be their best by providing more affordable housing. Having a lease in their own name gives women greater economic power, while an affordable home provides stability and supports financial independence.”
— Carla Busnardo, Redevelopment Chair, Soroptimist International of Vancouver
For many residents, this housing will not only provide stability, it will provide the foundation for greater financial independence and long-term security.
Leadership That Reflects the Community It Serves
Soroptimist House is also advancing a new approach to how housing is delivered.
From design and engineering to construction and project management, the development team is composed entirely of women, an intentional decision in a sector where leadership has traditionally been male-dominated.
“This project has given us the opportunity to bring together women leaders across every discipline,” says Carla Guerrera, CEO and Founder of Purpose Driven Development. “It’s not just about building housing, it’s about creating pathways for women to lead and shape the future of development.”
That leadership has had a ripple effect. Across teams and disciplines, women involved in the project have mentored others, contributing to a growing network of professionals advancing in their fields.
That impact is already visible within the project team itself. Annelise van der Veen, now a senior leader at Purpose Driven Development, began working on Soroptimist House early in her career under the mentorship of Carla Guerrera. Over the course of the project, she has grown into a leadership role, and now mentors others across the team.
This progression reflects the broader intention behind the project: not only to deliver housing for women, but to create pathways for women to lead, grow and shape the future of the sector.
From Vision to Reality
Like many complex housing projects, Soroptimist House has faced challenges along the way, including rising construction costs, site conditions and infrastructure delays.
Through careful planning, value engineering and strong partnership, the project team has successfully navigated these challenges and closed the majority of the funding gap.
“We’re incredibly proud to be delivering this project ahead of schedule and on budget, despite the challenges,” says Guerrera.
With construction nearing completion, the final step is within reach.
The Role of Last-Mile Funding
The remaining $500,000 represents the final piece needed to bring Soroptimist House to completion.
At this stage, last-mile funding plays a critical role. It ensures that projects that are already well underway, with strong partnerships and proven viability, can cross the finish line without compromise.
Any remaining funds beyond construction completion will support furnishing and equipping shared spaces that contribute to resident wellbeing and community life.
This is the kind of targeted investment that turns strong projects into lasting community assets.
Looking Ahead
As communities across Canada look for solutions to the housing crisis, projects like Soroptimist House offer a powerful example of what is possible.
They show how aligning capital, expertise and community leadership can deliver not only housing, but inclusive, resilient communities.
Partners for Affordable Housing works to support these outcomes by connecting investment to projects that are ready to move.
With the right support at the right moment, Soroptimist House will soon open its doors, creating a lasting impact for women and families in Vancouver and demonstrating a model that can inspire future housing solutions across the country.