Wednesday, October 1, 2025
A new facility for Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon will increase capacity to accommodate more families, following an investment of up to $18.8 million from the federal government.
“Our government is proud to support Ronald McDonald House in its mission to provide families across BC and Yukon with equitable and accessible accommodations while their children receive medical care. During these challenging times, having a safe and supportive home close to the hospital makes all the difference. This investment will double our capacity to welcome families travelling to Vancouver for life-saving treatment, ensuring more loved ones can stay together and find comfort when they need it most,” said Taleeb Noormohamed, MP for Vancouver Granville.
The current facility is operating at full capacity with 73 bedrooms, and there is growing demand for additional space to support families of children receiving life-saving medical treatment. Funding will provide for the construction of a second facility, Willow House, which will double the number of families accommodated and enhance support services for those with extended hospital stays.
“We are deeply grateful to the Government of Canada for this transformative investment in Willow House. This $18 million commitment brings us significantly closer to making Willow House a reality for families across British Columbia and the Yukon. With this support, we can expand our capacity to keep more families close to their children as they receive life-saving medical care providing not only a place to stay, but also the comfort, community, and compassion that make all the difference during the most difficult times,” said Richard Pass, CEO, Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon.
Willow House will be a fully accessible, 130,000-square-foot facility featuring 75 family suites, as well as indoor and outdoor common areas. This new net-zero building will address both current and future needs by providing affordable long-term accommodation for vulnerable families and expanding capacity to better serve larger, more diverse, and long-stay families. It will continue to offer important programs such as music therapy, art therapy, and daily family meals, ensuring families have the support they need to focus on the health and well-being of their loved ones while maintaining equitable access to pediatric health care.
“Willow House is a powerful example of how we can build essential community infrastructure using sustainable, Canadian wood-based technologies. With this new investment, we’re not only building supportive accommodation for families – we’re proving that by working together and using our first-class, home-grown resources, Canada can build smarter, faster, and greener,” said Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources.
The federal government is investing up to $18,000,000 in this project through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) program and $810,000 through the Green Construction through Wood (GCWood) program. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities is contributing $275,000.
“Ensuring every person in Canada has access to sustainable, safe, healthy homes – including essential homes away from home like Ronald McDonald House – is a priority for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Green Municipal Fund. Innovative projects such as Willow House demonstrate the impact possible when all orders of government work alongside private funders to improve the lives of Canadians,” said Rebecca Bligh, president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.
Featured image: (MGA)
