SPACE FOR COMMUNITY: Understanding Real Estate Challenges/Opportunities in the Social Purpose Sector

Every individual and family is touched by the work of not-for-profits and social enterprises. From childcare to health, community and social service organizations, environmental or arts and culture groups – the social purpose sector provides the ‘community glue’ that enables society to thrive.  When real estate forces make it impossible to secure suitable, affordable space to deliver programs and services, or when the market displaces organizations or encroaches on community owned assets, the vitality of these sectors and their potential for impact is compromised.

The Social Purpose Real Estate Collaborative, working in partnership with the Real Estate Institute of BC, recently completed a major new study looking at real estate issues and opportunities within the not-for-profit, social enterprise and artist sectors. With a funding contribution from LAI – Vancouver Chapter, this landmark multi-year study explores issues of real estate affordability, suitability, and security of tenure for BC’s social purpose sectors.