A planned retirement housing complex for members of the LGBT community may rise in either the Mount Pleasant or West End neighbourhoods of Vancouver.

These are the two places being scoped by Plum Living Properties & Health Services Inc., a local company that provides home health-care services for this sector.

The plan, which involves putting up 125 units of condos and rental apartments, was announced in 2007.

“It’s a second-50-years community, so most people will be over 50,” Plum Living CEO Dean Malone told the Straight in a phone interview. “It’s rental apartment, it’s condominiums, it’s assisted living, restaurant, lounge, bars. So it’s more lifestyle and health care combined. It’s a community for people who’re likely over 50 and are looking for a lifestyle and some support should they choose or want it.”

Plum Living has partnered with RainbowVision Properties Inc., an American firm that developed and operates what Plum Living describes as the first LGBT housing property in the U.S., which is located Santa Fe, New Mexico.

According to Malone, the project is pushing ahead and money is not a problem. “The issue is finding the right property,” he said.

Those interested in a stake can make a refundable $1,000 deposit at an account held with the Vancity Savings Credit Union. Malone said that the project has so far generated 60 deposits.