Together for Homes Affordable Housing Community Bond
Entre Nous Femmes Housing Society is launching the Together for Homes Affordable Housing Community Bond – an opportunity for everyday Canadians to invest in the creation of affordable housing in Vancouver.
A $3 million community bond investment will help advance development at 800 Commercial Drive, delivering 107 deeply affordable, below-market rental homes and 4,000 sq. ft. of social purpose real estate in the Grandview-Woodland Commercial Drive neighbourhood.
At its heart, this project is about creating long-term stability for individuals and families, strengthening community connection, and helping ensure people increasingly priced out of Vancouver can continue to live and thrive here.
Join the waitlist to be first in line to purchase community bonds when they are ready to be issued in October.
Take action to transform 800 Commercial Drive.
GET INVOLVED IN A FUTURE WHERE EVERYONE HAS ACCESS TO SAFE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING
The Challenge
Affordable housing in Metro Vancouver is increasingly out of reach. The core issue is not availability, but a shortage of non-market and below-market homes. In Vancouver, the pressure is particularly acute. The city will need nearly 183,000 units over 20 years (2021-2024) to meet project demand.
While new housing is being built, much of it is not affordable for low- and moderate-income households.
Women-led households and single-parent families face disproportionate challenges, with 28% of women-led households in B.C. experiencing core housing need.
Our Solution
800 Commercial Drive
Entre Nous Femmes Housing Society is raising $3 million in community bonds to support the build-out of 800 Commercial Drive, unlocking 107 affordable rental homes + 4,000 SF of social purpose real estate. The new 15-storey development will foster an inclusive, intergenerational community for women, gender-diverse people, single-parent families, Indigenous Peoples, seniors, youth, people with disabilities and other equity-deserving groups.
Community Bond Options
The Together for Homes Affordable Housing Community Bond offers several investment terms.
Each bond provides a fixed return while supporting the development of permanently affordable housing and social purpose real estate.
Our Impact
40+ years of experience
Providing affordable housing across Metro Vancouver, with 700+ homes supporting 2,000+ residents.
Growing to meet the need
Over 500 homes currently under construction, with 1,100+ more in development.
Building what’s next
Delivering 107 deeply affordable homes and 4,000 sq. ft. of social purpose real estate at 800 Commercial Drive.
FAQ
What is a community bond?
A community bond is an interest-bearing loan issued by non-profits and charities that allows investors to earn a fixed return while financing projects with social impact. Entre Nous Femmes Housing Society is working with Tapestry Community Capital, a national leader in community investment that has helped raise over $147 million in community bonds.
What will my investment support?
Your investment will help build 800 Commercial Drive in Vancouver, bringing 107 affordable rental homes and 4,000 sq. ft. of social purpose real estate to the Grandview-Woodland Commercial Drive neighbourhood.
How will interest and principal be paid?
Annual interest is paid through ENFHS operating cash reserves generated across our housing portfolio. Principal is repaid at maturity through the project’s long-term take-out mortgage.
Who can invest?
The Together for Homes Community Bond is open to a wide range of investors, including:
- Individuals
- Foundations
- Corporations and impact investors
- Community members who want their savings to support local affordable housing
Our goal is to onboard 200–250 investors across Canada to reach our $3 million target. Investment minimums and eligibility details will be available once the bond are ready to be issued.
How do I invest?
Getting started is simple. Join our waitlist and review the Investor Brief. We will let you know when bonds are ready for issuance in October. Then you can follow the steps below to purchase.
- Request the Investor Package
- Review the Offering Statement and investment details
- Complete your investment through the secure portal
How does a community bond differ from a traditional bond or GIC?
Like a GIC, a community bond offers a fixed rate of return over a defined term. However, unlike GICs, community bonds are not government-insured or guaranteed, and repayment depends on the financial strength of the issuer. In exchange, community bonds allow you to put your capital to work creating tangible social impact in your community.
Who is issuing the bond?
The bond is issued by Entre Nous Femmes Housing Society, a registered charity and non-profit affordable housing provider.
Is there a deadline to invest?
The campaign will run until the full $3 million investment amount has been raised.
Are community bond investments taxable?
Yes. Interest earned on community bonds is considered taxable income and will be reported on a T5 slip if the total annual interest paid is $50.00 CAD or more. Investors can also make it a Charitable Bond by donating their annual interest back to Entre Nous Femmes Housing Society in exchange for an annual Charitable Tax Receipt.
What return will I earn?
Returns range from 2.5% to 4.0% depending on the bond series, with simple interest paid annually over 2 to 4 year terms.
What makes this investment credible?
Entre Nous Femmes Housing Society has created and operated affordable housing for over 40 years. Today, we manage 15 properties, over 700 affordable homes, and over $430 million in real estate assets. We also have 95% of municipal and funding approvals in place with the City of Vancouver and BC Housing for 800 Commercial Drive. The campaign is administered alongside Tapestry Community Capital, a national leader that has helped raise over $147 million in community bonds.
Can I sell or redeem my bond early?
Bonds are intended to be held until maturity. Extraordinary early redemption requests by investors are subject to Board approval and a $50.00 administrative fee.
What happens when my bond matures?
At maturity, you receive your full principal back. You may also have the opportunity to reinvest in future Entre Nous Femmes Housing Society community bond offerings or donate a portion (or all) of your principal for a Charitable Tax Receipt.
Our Partners
Tapestry Community Capital supports non-profits, co-ops, and charities in raising and managing community bonds. As our campaign administrator, Tapestry provides full-service support to structure, launch, and manage the Together for Homes Community Bond on their secure platform. Across Canada, Tapestry has helped eligible organizations raise over $147.5 million from more than 4,700 investors.
The City of Vancouver is a core partner in bringing 800 Commercial Drive to life, leasing the land to Entre Nous Femmes Housing Society under a 60-year lease agreement. City Council approved the development in July 2024 to deliver much-needed affordable rental housing to the Grandview-Woodland neighbourhood.
Vancity Community Foundation is a social finance charitable foundation that leverages financial tools, supports non-profits, and advocates for community affordability. Vancity Community Foundation provided a $25,000 grant to support the development and launch activities of the Together for Homes Community Bond campaign.
BC Housing is a key funding and operational partner for 800 Commercial Drive, providing both capital support and ongoing operating grants through the Community Housing Fund Program to ensure deep, long-term rental affordability for 70% of the building’s homes.
About Us
Founded in 1984, Entre Nous Femmes Housing Society is one of Canada’s first women-led community housing organizations, created to address the housing needs of women and single-parent families. Today, the Society manages 15 properties across Metro Vancouver, providing 700+ affordable homes for more than 2,000 residents. Our communities prioritize women-led households, while also supporting seniors, Indigenous households, newcomers, people with disabilities, and equity-deserving groups with housing designed for safety, accessibility, and long-term stability.
Join the Waitlist
Questions?
Contact us at invest@enfhs.ca
