Impact

Independent research and three levels of government recognize this model.

Outcomes, recognition and cost-effectiveness across our buildings, summarized for journalists, partners and funders.

Outcomes

Key results across our sites.

97%Housing retention rate.
98%Reduction in building infractions.
90%Fewer 911 calls than surrounding SROs.
84%Decrease in police incidents (Avalon, 2010 → 2014).
9.7/10“I’m glad WWH is in my building.” — 2024/25 tenant survey.
9.8/10“WWH staff are helpful, professional, and kind.”
9.3/10Average score across all 24 satisfaction questions.
650+Residents supported across 7 sites.
Research and recommendations

Recognized as a scalable model by researchers and policymakers.

SFU

Aging in the Right Place Study

Promising practice for keeping seniors in supportive, community-rich housing.

sfu.ca/airp/research →
United Way

Seniors Housing Crisis Report

Effective model for combatting senior homelessness in Metro Vancouver.

uwbc.ca →
City of Vancouver

Seniors Housing Strategy

Recommended model — see p. 28.

vancouver.ca →
BC Housing

Pilot project recognition

Scalable model and solution to the seniors housing crisis.

bchousing.org →
BCNPHA

RENT & Housing Central

Sector expert and conference speaker since 2019.

bcnpha.ca →
Vancouver Sun

September 2022 feature

“Project helps low-income B.C. seniors” — Lori Culbert.

vancouversun.com →
Cost-effectiveness

Annual per-person cost across four settings.

Same person, same year, compared across hospital care, assisted living, homelessness and our model.

Hospital bed
$1,500/day
Assisted living
$450/day
Homelessness
$245/day
Whole Way House
$4/day

“Being proactive is 95% more cost-effective and 100% more dignifiedthan being reactive.”

Sources: Average per-day costs from BC Health, BC Housing, and the Metro Vancouver Homeless Count. WWH per-tenant cost from 2024/25 pilot budgets.

$547,500Hospital bed, per person, per year.
$164,250Assisted living, per person, per year.
$89,425Homelessness, per person, per year.
$1,300Whole Way House, per person, per year.
Case study

Avalon Hotel, 2010 to 2014.

In 2010 the Avalon Hotel was the busiest 911 address on its block. By 2014, infractions had fallen 98% and 911 calls had fallen 90%.

The Avalon Hotel

What changed?

Daily community programming. One-on-one support. Boundaries clearly held. A staff member at the front desk who knew every resident's name.

Infractions fell 98%. Police incidents fell 84%. The block changed.