Creating Inclusive, Affordable Housing for All

How Community Living BC (CLBC) Can Partner with You to Empower Individuals with Diverse Abilities / Intellectual Disabilities

Join us for an insightful webinar on how Community Living BC (CLBC) collaborates with non-profit housing providers to create inclusive, affordable housing solutions for individuals with diverse abilities. In this session, you’ll learn about CLBC’s vital role in supporting people with intellectual disabilities and how partnerships foster social change. Discover CLBC’s data-driven approach, available services, and real-world examples of successful collaborations. Leave equipped with the knowledge to build meaningful partnerships with CLBC and champion inclusive, culturally safe housing, including support for Indigenous communities. Together, we can break stigmas and empower individuals to live independently.

Who should attend?

• Non-Profit Housing providers with a keen interest in partnering for social change by breaking stigmas and creating truly inclusive housing

What will you learn?

• Learn about CLBC and who CLBC supports
• Understand the need for Inclusive/affordable housing among people with diverse abilities
• CLBC by the numbers: data, statistics and financial constraints
• Understand the services and supports that CLBC would be offering program participants
• Examples of partnerships with Non-Profit Housing Providers
• Importance of ongoing communication in partnerships
• Identify who they can contact to begin partnership conversations in their region

Facilitated by

Lisa Evans

Manager of Services & Community Development- Housing

Community Living BC

Lisa Evans has dedicated her entire career to the disability sector. Prior to joining CLBC, she worked in numerous capacities, including as a behavioral consultant, staffed living manager, community inclusion manager, long-term care worker, nursing aide, respite provider, and volunteer with St. John Ambulance and Girl Guides of Canada.

At CLBC, Lisa has held roles such as Quality Service Analyst and Integrated Services Manager in rural and urban communities on Vancouver Island. Recently, she has taken on the position of Manager of Services and Community Development – Housing.
With passion and enthusiasm, Lisa strives to forge new relationships, partnerships, and collaborative practices to support individuals with diverse abilities in living lives of independence and autonomy. She believes everyone is entitled to a place to call home in a community that reflects and accepts their unique self—one that is accessible, affordable, inclusive, and intentional.

Russell Cox

Regional Housing Lead-Southern Interior

Community Living BC

Russell is the CLBC Regional Housing Lead for the Southern Interior. Before immigrating to Canada in 2011, he worked as a registered social worker in South Africa and later as a Service Development Director in the United Kingdom. There, he gained experience developing pathways for services and housing options for people with diverse abilities and complex needs. Russell is passionate about evidence-based practice and holds an MSc in Comparative Social Research from the University of Oxford, England.

Karen Denney

Regional Housing Lead

Community Living BC

Karen began her career with Community Living BC (CLBC) in 2009, initially supporting executives. This role provided her with a comprehensive understanding of the organization’s mission and operations, forming a strong foundation for her future contributions. Her dedication led to her transition into the role of Facilities and Housing Coordinator within the Corporate Services division, where she developed expertise in social housing. In this role, Karen managed various projects and initiatives aimed at improving staffed living in communities across the province.

In 2024, Karen was appointed as the Regional Housing Lead with CLBC, marking a significant milestone in her career. This role underscores her commitment to enhancing access to inclusive, accessible, and affordable housing for those in need. As Regional Housing Lead, Karen leverages her extensive knowledge and passion to drive impactful, safe, and inclusive housing solutions that make a tangible difference in people’s lives.

Linda Nicol

Provincial Program Coordinator-Home Sharing Program

Community Living BC

Linda Nicol has been supporting inclusive housing and community life for people with diverse abilities since 1997. Her early work, from 1997 to 2012, focused on children, youth, and families through Ministry of Children and Family Development programs, including foster parent recruitment and support. Since joining CLBC in 2013, Linda has liaised with agencies providing home share services.
Currently, Linda’s work at CLBC focuses on strengthening and expanding home sharing services across the province in collaboration with sector partners. She is committed to fostering inclusive communities and ensuring everyone has a place to call home in British Columbia.