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Success Stories

AHMA members are advancing building performance, efficiency, and sustainability. They are future-proofing and retrofitting projects to increase community resilience. The results are outstanding successes that prioritize culture and share wisdom.

AHMA is proud of our members across the province who inspire us to think bigger than we have, take mega-leaps forward and motivate us to think long-term.

Fort St. John Native Housing Society Shares Tenant Success Stories – Including an NHL Draft!

Fort St. John Native Housing Society shared some wonderful success stories that have come out of their Urban Native Program. “We pride ourselves in not just being housing, but creating opportunities for the tenants and giving them the tools to increase the betterment of themselves, in a self-appreciating manner. The tenants have been very open and willing to work hard to improve their own lives as well as being role models to their children.” Fort St. John Society has helped tenants find employment, transfer off of social services, upgrade their education, facilitate access to treatment services, facilitate life skills workshops, and much more.

One tenant shared that her son, Cayden Lindstrom, was the fourth overall pick in this year’s NHL draft! She stated that the “rent reduction and extra help she received from Fort St. John Native Housing definitely assisted in her son being given the opportunity and affordability to attend hockey school and all the travel involved in being a hockey mom! It also helped so she could go back to school herself.”

M’akola Team Annoucements 2024

M’akola is proud to announce the recently completed capital renewal projects at Robron, George Dowling complex, and Bevan Place. Their integration of Indigenous art and design honors Indigenous cultures. M’akola has completed energy efficiency upgrades at multiple sites. Energy retrofits include upgrades to building insulation, new ventilation, new windows/doors, and heat pumps in units for heat and air conditioning to enhance climate resilience and tenant comfort.

Learn more about Robron, George Dowling art, George Dowling building and Bevan Place.

Nenanute K’et: Indigenous Youths preparing to live independently to have new housing support in Prince George

AHMA wishes to congratulate our member, Prince George Native Friendship Centre (PGNFC) in their partnership with Carrier Sekani Family Services (CSFS), BC Housing, and Nezul Be Hunuyeh Child and Family Services (NBH) to open a new housing support program that will help Indigenous youths and young adults successfully transition into living independently. Beyond housing and rent-support, tenants will gain financial literacy, life-skills programs and cultural supports as part of this new initiative.

Learn more about Nenanute K’et

Ken’ulh K’it Yikh, Smithers’ first Indigenous housing venture

Ken’ulh K’it Yikh, is an affordable Indigenous housing venture in Smithers, led by our member Dze L̲ K’ant Housing Society. Nearly 50 years in the making, and years of hard work have been put in by many people to get this project off the ground. Ken’ulh K’it Yikh was designed in close consultation with the community to reflect the needs of those who will make it their home. It will include culturally appropriate features, such as Indigenous art, a cultural amenity room, a healing room, a community kitchen, and larger unit sizes to accommodate families and intergenerational living. Culturally safe programming, counselling and advocacy will be available to tenants

Learn more Ken’ulh K’it Yikh

Sohkeyah development – phase 2

On the 10th of July, AHMA and Kekinow Native Housing Society celebrated the opening of 104 affordable houses for Indigenous families and individuals as a part of the second phase of the Sohkeyah development. On the achievement, AHMA CEO Margaret Pfoh said, “These 104 affordable homes come at a critical time to save many Indigenous families and Elders at risk of homelessness. We raise our hands to Kekinow Native Housing Society for their great work over the last four decades and to our Province for investing in urban Indigenous housing.” 

Learn more about Sohkeyah – Phase 2

AHMA member, Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society, celebrates 50 years!

This is the 50th year that the Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society has had the honour to offer wrap-around services to Kelowna residents, particularly urban Indigenous community members. With programs ranging from cultural education, Elders, family, holistic wellness, to tax advocacy, housing, and English language classes. We strive to meet people where they are and provide sustainable support, meanwhile recognizing the importance of culture in one’s sense of identity and well-being.

Learn more about Ki-Low-Na

Bevan Place Unveiling

AHMA, alongside member organization M’akola Housing Society, had the honour to unveil a new revamped affordable housing complex on Tetrault Street in Terrace on June 11th. The unveiling also showcased the artwork done by Stan Bevan and Shawna Kiesman. The complex has been given the name Bevan Place, after Mel Bevan who was a strong voice for Indigenous housing. 

Learn more about Bevan Place

Thirty-five new homes open for Indigenous people in Vernon

Thunderbird Manor – Phase 2 is owned and operated by Vernon Native Housing Society through the Indigenous Housing Fund. It is a new five-storey building provides one-, two-, three- and four- bedroom homes for Indigenous Peoples with moderate and low incomes.

Learn more about Thunderbird Manor – Phase 2

More than 325 new below-market homes underway in Port Moody

A partnership between the Province, through BC Housing, the federal government, through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Edgar Development, the City of Port Moody, M’akola Housing Society and the Entre Nous Femmes Housing Society sees the creation of 328 below-market homes

Learn more about The Creek

Indigenous people in Sooke get access to 170 below-market homes

This development, owned and operated by the Capital Regional District and M’akola Housing Society, contains two identical five-storey wood-frame buildings, which include 170 homes, 34 of which have been reserved for people with very low incomes and will be rented at the shelter rate of $500 a month. This ensures they are affordable for those receiving social assistance, persons with disabilities, or on a basic seniors’ pension. The remaining units will be rented at below-market rates.

Learn more about 2075 Drennan St.

Dawn-Marie Hugh, Kekinow Native Housing Society

Kekinow Native Housing Society is an Indigenous non-profit housing provider and AHMA member. In 2023, with support from the Energy Conservation Assistance Program (ECAP), Kekinow completed energy assessments and energy efficiency upgrades in several units.

Learn more about the Kekinow Native Housing Society >

Draven Darkke, M’akola Housing Society

M’akola Housing Society is an Indigenous non-profit housing provider and AHMA member. M’akola completed energy efficiency upgrades at multiple sites with support from the Indigenous Communities Conservation Program (ICCP) in 2021-22.

Learn more about the M’akola Housing Society >

Sandy White, North Okanagan Friendship Centre

Kekuli, North Okanagan Friendship Centre is an Indigenous non-profit housing provider and AHMA member in the City of Vernon, affiliated with the BC Association of Friendship Centres. Kekuli received support from the Energy Conservation Assistance Program (ECAP) in 2020.

Learn more about the North Okanagan Friendship Centre >

Alanna Cowan, Conayt Housing and Friendship Centre

Conayt is an Indigenous non-profit housing provider and AHMA member in Merritt, affiliated with the BC Association of Friendship Centres. Conayt received support from the Energy Conservation Assistance Program (ECAP) in 2019-20.

Learn more about the Conayt Housing and Friendship Centre >

EndoTherm Case Study at Milestone Manor, Dakelh & Quesnel Community Housing Society (DQCHS)

Dakelh & Quesnel Community Housing Society (DQCHS) is an Indigenous non-profit housing provider and AHMA member affiliated with the BC Association of Friendship Centres. DQCHS installed EndoTherm into the boiler system at Milestone Manor on November 2nd, 2020.

Read the EndoTherm Case Study >

M’akola Case Study at George Dowling

M’akola completed a major envelope/exterior renewal project for a Port Alberni townhouse complex in 2023. The project transformed the homes, including energy efficiency upgrades and innovative art installations from local Indigenous artists.

Read the M’akola Project Case Study >

Nuutsumuut Lelum (All in One House), Island Urban Indigenous Wellness Society, 2018

The Island Urban Indigenous Wellness Society partnered with BC Housing to construct culturally appropriate, affordable, energy-efficient housing for the Urban Indigenous community in Nanaimo.

Read about the success of the Nuutsumuut Lelum project >

Here are some more success stories as related by some of our partners: