Lauded Vancouver hotel featuring Indigenous art to close and become supportive housing

A Vancouver hotel designed to showcase Indigenous art and that garnered international praise is ceasing operations so it can be completely converted to supportive housing.

The 18 hotel rooms in the Skwachàys Lodge, which had been decorated in Indigenous themes by local artists, along with another 24 rooms in the same building that had been rented for low rates to others working in the arts, will be completely repurposed for people needing supports. The B.C. Indigenous Housing Society, which operates the building with funding from the province, says the building would be better used for vulnerable people on its waiting list.