Sustainability and Non-Profit Housing: Practical Tools for Better Policy

What you can expect:

Join us for an introduction to a new toolkit designed to help municipalities identify and mitigate the unintended impacts of sustainability policies on non-profit housing. From increased capital and operating costs to administrative burdens and tenant affordability pressures, the toolkit provides practical strategies to balance climate objectives with the long-term viability of affordable housing.

As local governments across British Columbia advance ambitious climate and sustainability goals, it’s important to understand how these policies can affect non-profit housing providers and the communities they serve. Following an overview on how local governments can use this new toolkit to develop more equitable and effective policies, there will be a panel discussion with non-profit housing professionals to share their first-hand experiences with various sustainability initiatives. 

Panelists Include:

• Ahmed Omran is the CEO of New Chelsea Society, a non-profit housing provider serving Veterans, Seniors, Families, and people with disabilities across the Lower Mainland. With 23 buildings and over 1500 units under management, New Chelsea Society continues to advance innovative approaches to housing, sustainability, and resident services while remaining focused on its mission of providing safe, affordable housing for individuals and families. Ahmed has extensive experience in affordable housing development and operations on both the government and non-profit side. Throughout his career, he has worked closely with all three levels of government, non-profit organizations, and the development industry to expand housing opportunities and strengthen community well-being.
• Mike Ruttan is a retired educator, former Mayor of Port Alberni and a founder of the Alberni Low Energy Housing Society. In 2022 the society opened BC’s most energy efficient non-profit apartment building. It was the first in the province to achieve step4 on the revised BC Building Code. We have always valued energy efficient buildings that are both beautiful and functional and a strong sense of community. We try to achieve either by building new or throughrenovations.
• Sara Fralin is a 4^th generation Canadian living on the unceded territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nation. Sara’s Jewish ancestors escaped the Pogroms of Russia and arrived in Canada in 1923 as refugee immigrants.Sara earned a Master’s in Sustainability Studies from Trent University and two Bachelor’s degrees in Political Science and Environment Studies from the University of Victoria. Sara manages Engagement and Technical Services at the Aboriginal Housing Management Association (AHMA), an umbrella organization of 56 Indigenous housing and service providers. She provides resources, research and building condition data that empower members to steward their housing assets. She has over seven years of experience working in the Indigenous housing sector. Outside of her work, Sara serves on the Advisory Committee at Indigenous Clean Energy.
• Ken Zeitner is the Executive Director of Society of Hope and has provided leadership in non-profit organizations for many years. He and his wife, Barb, co-founded the Society of Hope in the early 1990s. His development of the administrative and operational systems served as a foundation for the growth the Society which now has 900 rental housing units located on 20 sites around the Central Okanagan. Ken’s commitment to the non-profit housing sector is evident in his service with the BCNPHA, including previously sitting on the board. In 2021 Ken was recipient of the Denise Leblond Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition for his dedication and vision in furthering the cause of affordable housing in British Columbia.