Reclaiming the Arbutus Lot: A Vision

Reclaiming the Arbutus Lot: A Vision for a Community of Care, Creativity, and Hope

By Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita

There’s a piece of land between 7th and 8th Avenue off Arbutus in Vancouver — a place that could become something beautiful. Originally proposed as a social housing site, the project was scrapped, and now it sits empty, surrounded by a city with over 2,000 empty condos and rent prices between $2,800–$3,400/month.

Why can’t we do something different?

What if we reimagined it entirely — not just as “social housing” but as a community village, built with heart, sustainability, and dignity in mind?

A New Vision: The Courtyard Village

Let’s build a village of stacked tiny homes surrounded by courtyards — inspired by the warmth of Mexican neighborhoods, where family, community, and colour fill the air. This wouldn't just be housing. It would be home.

A new name. A new model. A prototype for hope.

🏘️ What It Could Look Like:

• 129 eco-conscious homes (300–400 sq ft), stacked 2–3 stories high
• Private bathrooms, small kitchens, and sleeping/living space
• Mini courtyards with trees, gardens, mosaics, and shade
• A community greenhouse, shared kitchen, art studio, library, and play area
• No shared showers — this is dignified, trauma-informed design
• Living walls, rooftop gardens, solar panels, rainwater collection
• Cob and timber details to make it feel warm and grounded

🔧 What It Would Take:

Here’s a rough breakdown of what we’d need:

🧱 Build & Design:

• Modular or stacked tiny house construction (400 sq ft)
• Estimated cost per unit: $100K–$150K
• Total build estimate: $15M–$18M

🕓 Build Time:

• Modular construction: 6–9 months
• Site prep + utilities: 2–3 months
• Final community handover: within a year

📜 Permits & Licenses:

• Rezoning (if needed)
• Environmental & engineering approvals
• City of Vancouver + BC Housing partnership
• Non-profit or Co-op operator

🌱 Why It Matters Now

People are struggling. Many are one paycheck from homelessness. Families are separated. Seniors are isolated. Youth are couch surfing. We need a new model of housing that heals, unites, and gives back.

Vancouver once came together to fight for the Arbutus Greenway Gardens. That same spirit can return. Let’s demand something better than vacancy and silence.

This village could be a blueprint for other underused lots across BC. It could be a start.

✊ Call to Action

• 💬 What do YOU think? Would you support this idea?
• 📩 Share this post. Tag your MLA, city councillor, BC Housing.
• 🛠️ Are you a builder, designer, social planner, or architect? Let’s connect.
• 🌿 Let’s plant the seeds of something lasting — together.

With love and hope,
Tina Winterlik (Zipolita)
Artist • Storyteller • Mother • Advocate

#TinyHouseVillage #AffordableHousing #CourtyardLiving #ArbutusCommunity #VancouverHousingCrisis #Zipolita #TinaWinterlik