The Icelandic Care Home Höfn Society was established on May 9, 1947, in Vancouver, British Columbia. Its mission is to maintain, manage and operate a care home, and provide for the welfare of all persons within its walls. In Icelandic, the word "höfn," means harbour or safe haven, echoing the Society's commitment to traditional Icelandic values that ensure elders receive help and refuge. At its inception, the Höfn Society was known as the, “Icelandic Old Folks Home Society, Höfn.” It acquired a mansion on Osler Street in the Shaughnessy district of Vancouver. The Osler Street home had 24 residents, which were seniors of Icelandic descent.

The growing resident population and their needs necessitated the eventual sale of the Osler Street Home. A new residential care facility on Harrison Drive (known commonly as Höfn II) opened in 1963. Höfn II provided housing and care to Vancouver’s seniors for over 40 years. During this period, the society changed its name to Icelandic Care Home Höfn Society. However, from 2005-2008, the Icelandic Care Home was closed in order to make way for a new building to better serve its residents. In 2007, renovations for Höfn III were completed and by February, 2008, the new Höfn Icelandic Harbour was officially opened. Today, the care home provides assisted living services for its residents, and is funded by Vancouver Coastal Health and BC Housing.