Our Mission
We develop, maintain and promote affordable housing
Our housing is for individuals who are poorly served elsewhere in the community due to their physical health, mental health, behavioural issues, substance dependencies, forensic history, and for those who are homeless.
PHS is for everyone in need of our services
We will not discriminate against people with a mental health diagnosis, physical disabilities and/or ailments, a history of criminal activity and/or involvement in the criminal justice system, active alcohol, and/or drug use, or any combination of the above
Our Approach
PHS Community Services Society is a non-partisan, non-profit organization committed to providing housing, healthcare, and harm reduction services to vulnerable populations in Vancouver and Victoria, many of whom have complex care needs related to mental health challenges, substance use disorders, brain injuries, and various other acute health needs.
By supporting individuals with complex care needs who are unhoused or at risk of homelessness, we endeavour to strengthen the broader communities in which we work—making them safer, healthier, and more inclusive. Through operational excellence, collaboration across relevant stakeholders, education, and advocacy, we aim to create positive, lasting change that benefits both the individuals we serve and the communities they are part of.
In our pursuit of these objectives, PHS does not endorse, support, or oppose any political candidates or parties. We keenly engage with all policymakers, academics, law enforcement, community members, and individuals with relevant lived experiences in a spirit of openness to improve health, housing, public safety, and social equity across the province. Our work is rooted in our commitment to those we serve, not in any political affiliation.
PHS is committed to continuously evolving our services based on emerging research, innovation, and evidence-informed best practices. As a pioneer in many of the spaces in which we operate, PHS has always recognized that effective solutions require adaptability, and we remain open to new approaches that improve the well-being of the people we serve.
Our History
In 1991, psychiatric nurse Liz Evans began supporting marginalized people from a single-room occupancy hotel in the heart of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. The area was the epicentre of a wave of overdose deaths and the highest rate of HIV/AIDS infections in the Western World. Poverty and exclusion were increasing along with homelessness and drug use.
By providing accommodation and harm reduction at the Portland Hotel, Liz introduced the concept of Housing First to North America. It’s an approach in which people experiencing homelessness are offered housing as quickly as possible, without preconditions.
The Portland Hotel Society was incorporated in August 1993.
What’s in a name?
We changed our name to PHS Community Services Society in July 2003.
This was to reflect our growth from the initial Portland Hotel, expanding to provide more housing and more supportive programs that promote social inclusion and human rights for the most under-served members of society.
Since its inception, PHS has developed and delivered innovative programming for people otherwise excluded from services. In 2003, PHS opened Insite, North America’s first legal supervised injection site, and more recently we’ve been leading with innovative safe supply programs.
Our Partners
PHS is only able to support the most marginalized people in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside and Inner Victoria because of the ongoing belief and support of key partner organizations and our funders. Thank you for making this possible.
Our Team
Our Senior Leadership Team and Board of Directors
Community Advisory Committee Minutes
View meeting minutes from the Community Advisory Committee for Temporary Modular Housing
