It was nearly 30 years ago when an idea to further the cause of affordable housing became the catalyst for a movement that spread across BC. Since then BCNPHA has evolved, grown and made important contributions to the housing sector through advocacy, education and support. Here’s a look at some big milestones along the way.
2021 Looking Ahead
As we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic we are set for growth in our learning, research, advocacy, and member support. The Asset Analysis survey is in full swing, and we launched our streamlined Housing Job Match site dedicated to careers in the non-profit housing sector. We’re delivering more online learning opportunities than ever, with new topic areas that meet the sector’s emerging challenges. Our lineup of Member Programs and asset management services is growing to help you save money and operate efficiently in more areas.
2020 Stay Safe, and Innovate
The onset of a global pandemic resulted in new ways of working and expanded services to support the sector. We created Regional Roundtable meetings to help members stay connected, advocated on the sector’s behalf for help in meeting a wide range of new challenges, reinvented our RENTs and Housing Central Conference to successful virtual events, and provided current resources to help the sector stay up-to-date on COVID-19 regulations and government support programs.
2018-2020 Green is Great
Our growing Asset Management department delivered unprecedented energy-saving projects, including 95 building condition assessments, 243 energy audits, and 32 capital plans. We connected non-profit housing providers with more than $1.6 million in rebates and incentives to help them save money on retrofit projects. And we created the Property Manager Forum, a chance for asset management staff to connect, share challenges, and trade knowledge and ideas to build more effective solutions.
2018 Shifting Neighbours to Yes!
Taking a new affordable housing development from inspiration to open doors is a complex process. We expanded our sector support with Build Homes Not Barriers – tools and resources for non-profit housing societies to engage effectively with their neighbours for successful rezoning decisions and welcoming communities.
2017 Expanding our Reach
We celebrated the 25th annual conference and welcomed more than 1,300 delegates to our largest Housing Central Conference to date, where we celebrated a renewed sense of energy and purpose in creating a future in which everyone has access to an affordable home.
2015-2017 Research that Delivers Results
The Canadian Rental Housing Index provided detailed data on housing affordability in over 100 jurisdictions across the country, informing housing policy, funding strategies, community planning and more. With the release of the Affordable Housing Plan for BC in 2017 we used RHI data to create a 10-year roadmap to help end the affordable housing and homelessness crisis, and directly influence provincial government policy.
2014 Taking Learning to New Heights
We added to our webinar series with the launch of HousingU, BCNPHA’s suite of modular learning opportunities, to support the sector with learning that fits your busy schedules. And we re-invented and expanded our Regional Education, Networking & Tradeshow (RENT) events to bring regional-focused learning and networking to all corners of the province with accessible, one-day events.
2011 Stronger Buildings, Stronger Sector
Using data provided by non-profit housing providers through our asset analysis project, we built the case for new investments into energy conservation in the non-profit housing sector and created the Asset Management department to help the sector implement energy-efficiency retrofit projects that reduce energy use and lower costs.
2007-2009 Research Takes Off
Our new full-time research department distributed 5,100 Tenant Starter Kits, partnered with the BC Society of Transition Houses on a multi-year investigation into housing barriers for women leaving violence, and an asset analysis project that collected data on 60,000+ units and connected hundreds of housing providers with capital project funding.
2000 Learning to Grow
The new Education department was created to deliver industry-leading professional development opportunities that continue to strengthen our sector.
1998 Serving our Members
We created the Member Services department to enhance programs and services for our members.
1993 The Start of Something Big
BCNPHA started with 150 members, the infoLINK magazine, and our first conference.
