Denise LeBlond Award

2018 Award Recipient: Lorne Epp, Former Executive Director of More than a Roof Housing Society

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Established in 1999, the Denise LeBlond Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes an individual whose dedication and vision have furthered the cause of affordable housing in BC. Previous recipients can be viewed below.

2018 Award Recipient: Lorne Epp, Former Executive Director of More than a Roof Housing Society

For close to 20 years Lorne’s been focused on the work of More Than A Roof Housing Society as an emerging leader in reducing and eliminating all forms of homelessness. As a graduate of Brock University College of Education his vocational background includes teaching, real estate and 18 yrs. of project management in the development / construction industry. In 1992 Lorne was invited to join the board of More than A Roof as a volunteer director and in 1995, accepted the leadership role of Executive Director.  He was also privileged to be a part of the inaugural board of the B. C. Non Profit Housing Association, and stayed on from 1992-1997 and then served an additional year from m2008-2009. Since then, Lorne has had a long-standing involvement with, and commitment to, the nonprofit housing sector.

The 2018 award is generously sponsored by:

Eligibility 

The nominee:

• Must have significantly contributed to affordable housing in BC.
• Must be advised by the person that nominated him/her that their name has been submitted for the award.
• Does not have to be from a BCNPHA member organization but does have to be from the housing sector.
• May be a volunteer or an employee from the housing sector.

Award Criteria

Commitment and contribution to affordable housing:

• Number of years involved in the affordable housing sector.
• Number and variety of people and organizations affected by the person’s efforts and service.
• Unpaid work performed – volunteer or beyond the call of duty.
• New or expanded housing or service.
• Changes in community attitudes and support for affordable housing resulting from their efforts.
• Involvement in sector organizations.

Outstanding leadership and significant accomplishments in the field:

• Leadership positions held in housing organizations and in the community.
• Impact on local government policies, programs related to affordable housing.
• Number of housing developments or programs initiated or involved with.

Vision and creativity in fostering a community development approach in the delivery of affordable housing:

• Demonstrated links between the housing projects or programs involved with the community.
• Specific examples of incorporating tenant or community interests into housing programs or projects.
• Challenges faced and/or overcome in achieving new approaches, especially those later recognized as “visionary”
• New tools or techniques that reduced reliance on government funding to develop or deliver affordable housing.

Commitment to affordable housing:

• Non-profit
• Serves low income households

Denise LeBlond (1948-1995)

Denise LeBlond devoted her career and personal time to help make a difference in her community, throughout British Columbia and across Canada. She worked tirelessly to advocate for affordable housing on a community level, to develop new housing programs for BC, and to keep non-profit housing on the national agenda.

As General Manager of the Capital Region Housing Corporation from 1984 to 1994, Denise took the Corporation in many new directions. She spoke to municipal councils, church congregations and service clubs about the importance of adequate, appropriate and affordable housing for all residents. In 1994, she was appointed as the Assistant Deputy Minister for Housing, where she was instrumental in the design of the Homes BC program.

Denise LeBlond was always a strong supporter of the BC Non-Profit Housing Association and earned an Honorary Membership in the Association in 1995. She passed away in 1995 after a brave fight against cancer. The Denise LeBlond Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes individuals who, like her, devote their career and volunteer time to affordable housing.

Previous Recipients:

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