A Community Approach to Climate Adaptation in the West End

Gordon Neighbourhood House and community partners are coming together to support West End residents in building a more climate-resilient community. Through a place-based climate education and action initiative, the project will engage residents in sharing resources, strengthening connections, and co-creating local climate solutions.

The West End is home to a high proportion of renters, many of whom live alone, particularly seniors. Social isolation, limited mobility, and reduced access to support networks can make seniors especially vulnerable during extreme heat and poor air quality. At the same time, youth and young adults in the neighbourhood face their own challenges, including eco-anxiety, urban stress, and isolation.

Extreme heat and wildfire smoke are no longer unexpected emergencies, but ongoing consequences of a changing climate. As a result, responses must be designed to support those most affected in our community. This initiative aims to do just that by bringing generations together. Through workshops, gatherings, and collaborative spaces, seniors and younger residents will build mutual aid networks, share knowledge, and design practical tools to support one another.

Gordon Neighbourhood House has a strong foundation in this work, having led extreme weather initiatives in the past. These include distributing hundreds of free cooling kits, sharing weather and air quality information, supporting peer networks, hosting workshops on building DIY air conditioners, distributing dozens of fans, and offering sessions on how to make homes and apartments more climate-ready while identifying unsafe conditions.

This project builds on that experience to deepen community capacity and resilience. Supported by funding from the City of Vancouver’s Community Climate Action Grant for 2026–2027, the initiative will continue to expand resources, strengthen relationships, and empower residents to take collective climate action.

If you are interested in learning more or getting involved, please contact welcome@gordonhouse.org.