About Us
The Hogan’s Alley Society (HAS) is a non-profit organization composed of civil rights activists, business professionals, community organizations, artists, writers and academics committed to daylighting the presence of Black history in Vancouver and throughout British Columbia. The Society has been working with the City of Vancouver to ensure that the redevelopment of the Hogan’s Alley block represents the legacy of the Strathcona’s Black community, which was displaced by the construction of the viaducts.
Hogan’s Alley Community Land Trust
After tireless advocacy by a coalition of Vancouverites, HAS signed an MOU with the City of Vancouver in September 2022 that sets out the terms for the negotiation of a long term lease for the Hogan’s Alley Block.
As part of our commitment to honouring the legacy of black Strathcona residents, HAS will establish a non-profit Community Land Trust, envisioning a space within the city that highlights the contributions of the former inhabitants of Hogan’s Alley and adds to the cultural mosaic of Vancouver. The land trust aims to provide affordable housing, small and social enterprise spaces, cultural amenities, and other infrastructure elements that will redress displacement and prevent gentrification that has disproportionately impacted Black communities across Canada.
The land trust aims to provide affordable social housing, a child care center, and space for small businesses. A key part of the development is the Black Cultural Center, which will serve the unique needs of People of African descent across the Lower Mainland.
Nora Hendrix Place
HAS is the lead operating partner of Nora Hendrix Place, a 52-home temporary modular social housing development on the Hogan’s Alley Block, which prioritizes Black and Indigenous people who are at risk of or currently homeless. This advances the vision for the Hogan’s Alley Block towards the long-term goal of developing an asset-based model that can grow the capacity of Black people to participate in city-building and reduce persistent economic, social, political inequalities. Our vision is for the residents of Nora Hendrix Place is to have a permanent home in our community land trust.
All units are self-contained dwellings with a private bathroom and kitchen. At least 10% of the homes are wheelchair accessible. Shared amenities include:
• Lounge/TV room
• Shared community kitchen
• Reading lounge
• Free, shared laundry facilities
• Internet access
• Patio
• Landscaped grounds
• Secure parking with plug ins for scooters
HAS is in a mentorship and knowledge transfer relationship with Atira with the goal of building capacity to take over operations in 2024.
Community Care Program
Community Care is a foundational part of our Indigenous Ancestral teachings and our work towards collective liberation.
The Housing Support Program offers intervention and advocacy for the Metro Vancouver Black/African diaspora with emergency housing needs and avert eviction for folks that experience homelessness and housing uncertainty.
The Black/African Diaspora Cultural Program looks to Ancestral Indigenous African diasporic practices and knowledge to build community in regularly working with Elders, teachers, and knowledge-keepers. We offer cultural support, cultural programing, and basic needs support for Nora Hendrix Place residents and Black/African diaspora community members.
The Garden Program provides mentorship opportunities for Nora Hendrix Place residents in the care and planning of the community garden, rooted in connecting with land and cultural practices.
Research & Advocacy
HAS is engaging in research driven community development and advocacy for policy change focused on issues of importance to Black communities. We completed the COVID-19 Vaccine Intentions among Black Communities in BC survey to explore the experience, attitudes, beliefs, and intentions of Black community members during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The results were shared with public health policy makers and demonstrate the importance of collecting disaggregated data.
The Hogan’s Alley Housing Solutions Lab has developed innovative solutions for creating accessible affordable housing for Black community members in Vancouver and across Canada; contributed to the National Housing Strategy’s goals of developing sustainable housing and communities, particularly for racialized groups, seniors, and refugees and immigrants; and has provided a deeper understanding of the barriers faced by Black communities in Vancouver and across Canada in accessing equitable housing.
Community engagement
We recognize that it takes a village; that is why HAS dedicates resources and effort to convene Black communities to support community building, leverage community efforts, and engage in collective visioning. Nurturing relationships with local Indigenous Nations, our DTES neighbors, community partners, government, and the Black community, we aim to vision the future of Hogan’s Alley, together. As we work towards the development of the Hogan’s Alley Block, we want to attract more members of the Black and African diaspora communities, organizations and businesses to Hogan’s Alley and the surrounding area.
