Kitsilano Neighbourhood House (Kits House) is a registered charity committed to building and fostering a sense of community throughout Vancouver’s Westside. As a member of the Association of Neighbourhood Houses of BC, we are a non-profit organization and neighbourhood house, dedicated to bringing people together, meeting the needs of our community and building strong, collaborative, and inclusive neighbourhoods.
At Kits House, we provide a broad range of programs, services, and support developed to meet the needs and dreams of our community. We are community builders and place makers, connecting people, ideas, and opportunities. We celebrate diversity, and create inclusive spaces where we can learn from each other and grow together. We work alongside our neighbours, volunteers, partners, and local leaders towards our vision of a sustainable, healthy, and connected community where everyone thrives.
Kits House has a rich history on Vancouver’s Westside, when the original site of Alexandra Orphanage (later renamed Alexandra House) and the Non-Secretarian Home Society opened in 1894. In 1972, we moved to our current location and renamed as Kitsilano Neighbourhood House. Kits House remains the only Neighbourhood House on the Westside of Vancouver, serving all Westside communities including Kitsilano, Dunbar, Arbutus Ridge, and Point Grey.
Our house functions as a resource centre, a community hub, and a gathering place. From childcare to seniors’ programs, housing to food justice, newcomer and family support, and much more in between, Kits House programs and services are designed to reach all age groups, meet diverse and changing needs, and be truly inclusive and reflective of the many different life experiences of our neighbours.
Our Vision
Vancouver’s diverse Westside is a sustainable, healthy and connected community where everyone thrives.
Our Mission
Kitsilano Neighbourhood House increases a sense of belonging in Vancouver’s Westside by addressing community needs and connecting people, ideas and opportunities.
What is a Neighbourhood House?
Neighbourhood Houses are non-profit organizations, which function as resource centres with the flexibility to meet changing community needs and challenges. They work towards improving the quality of both community and family life and differ from other social organizations as they are concerned with the community as a whole while working towards improving the quality of both community and family life.
Programs and services are designed to reach all age groups in a diverse population that is inclusive and reflective of the many different life experiences of the neighbours. Neighbourhood Houses build strong, independent communities, encouraging people to thrive. They are familiar and easily accessible; and effective in reaching people and helping them with their community aspirations, needs, challenges and problems.