M'akola Development Services

Hornby Island’s Belulah Creek Village Opens to New Residents

M'akola Development Services — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 17:21:38 +0000

Belulah Creek Village has opened its doors to its first residents.

This development’s 26 new affordable rental homes are distributed across three buildings, with a central green space that offers a village type that’s well suited to Hornby Island. With a mix of studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom homes, residents with lower to moderate incomes will have a secure place to call home on Hornby, allowing them to continue living and working in their community.

“Beulah Creek Village is about more than new affordable homes – it’s about strengthening community. By working in partnership with the Hornby Island Housing Society and prioritizing homes for local residents, including members of K’ómoks First Nation, we’re helping ensure families, workers, seniors and other individuals can stay rooted on Hornby Island with safe, stable, affordable housing. We’re proud to welcome people home and to support a community where everyone can live, work and belong.”
-Kevin Albers, CEO, M’akola Housing Society

Learn more about the project: Belulah Creek Village, Hornby Island – M’akola Development Services
Read more about the opening: Opening affordable homes for Hornby Island residents | BC Housing

Celebrating the Groundbreaking of 61 New Affordable Homes in Prince Rupert

M'akola Development Services — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 16:46:17 +0000

We were proud to join partners and community members in Prince Rupert this month to celebrate the groundbreaking of 61 new affordable homes. This M’akola Housing Society development will help Indigenous families remain connected to their community, offering 27 three- and four-bedroom units that support multi-generational living.

“The 2300 Bellis Rd. development in Seal Cove is the result of intentional partnerships and Indigenous placemaking through the provision of safe, secure and affordable housing. Nestled between the mountains and the ocean, this project will create 61 new homes that prioritize local residents, including our Ts’msyen hosts. We’re proud and excited to eventually welcome people into their new homes and continue to support the community of Prince Rupert.”
-Kevin Albers, CEO of M’akola Housing Society

This project was made possible with $23.3 million from BC Housing’s Indigenous Housing Fund, and $4.3 million from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

National Indigenous History Month 2026

M'akola Development Services — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 22:51:06 +0000

June is National Indigenous History Month, a time for all Canadians to learn more about the unique cultures, traditions and experiences of Indigenous peoples, and to reflect on the ongoing impacts of colonization across the country.

One of the ways our team members learn to support Indigenous communities in a meaningful way is through participation in San’yas Indigenous Specific Anti-Racism Training. Their transformative curriculum includes videos, interviews, reading and self-reflection activities developed by Indigenous thought leaders. If you’re looking to develop a foundational understanding of Indigenous Peoples, or to deepen your ability to work with Indigenous communities, we strongly recommend this course.

Learn more at: https://sanyas.ca/

Chawathil First Nation Breaks Ground on 31-Unit Affordable Housing Project

M'akola Development Services — Sat, 30 May 2026 18:24:16 +0000

Photo courtesy of AlexHarte.ca

In May we joined Chawathil First Nation to celebrate the groundbreaking of 31 new townhomes, the first new housing in the community in over 20 years.

This project will bring new homes for families, dedicated spaces for Elders, and culturally meaningful amenities, enabling Members living off reserve to return home.

Thank you to Chief Aaron Pete and Chawathil Council for placing your trust in our team to help deliver this community driven project.

Learn about the project: Chawathil Affordable Housing Project, Chawathil First Nation – M’akola Development Services

Read about the groundbreaking: Hope-area First Nation breaks ground on 31-unit housing project meant to bring band members home | Fraser Valley Today | Everything Fraser Valley

Renderings of new buildings under construction

Introducing our 2026 Summer Interns

M'akola Development Services — Wed, 27 May 2026 17:12:07 +0000

Our 4 month Summer Internship Program provides university students from historically marginalized communities with a paid opportunity to participate in the daily workings of a development consulting firm. This year, we are pleased to welcome Natalie Lawrence and Quincy Johnson to our team for the summer.

Natalie Lawrence is a fourth year student pursuing a Bachelor of Environmental Planning who is inspired to improve people’s lives as a planner.

“I have always been interested in how communities’ function and the influence the built environment has on everyday people’s lives. I always knew I wanted a role that allowed me to contribute something meaningful to communities and society, and the planning sector seemed like a great fit! The intersections between housing, geography, policy and healthcare/public health initially caught my attention; coming from a background in healthcare, I have seen firsthand how people’s health is affected by the quality and availability of housing, accessibility, and the unique challenges or opportunities present in different communities and parts of the province. I see planning as a way to improve people’s lives in a meaningful and tangible way and hope this is something I will be able to work towards and achieve in my future career as a Planner.

At MDS I am looking forward to gaining real world experience in the planning and development sector and learning from individuals who are experts in this field and who care deeply about their values and impact. I am excited to use my education in a real-world setting, where planning and development becomes real!”

We’re excited to have Natalie with us this summer and to support her passion for improving communities!

Quincy Johnson is in the final year of her Bachelor of Environmental Studies in Cities, Regions and Planning at York University. As she nears the end of her program, she is excited to begin working at the intersections of justice and housing.

“I grew up surrounded by people who do social justice work, which encouraged me to pursue a career in development and urban planning. Overall, I wanted to make a difference, and I found that the interdisciplinary nature of urban planning allowed me to analyze the socio-cultural, economic, environmental, and political factors that influence people’s access to stable housing.

Growing up in Vancouver and living in Toronto, I noticed how the financialization of housing has caused it to become unaffordable and inaccessible for many people, especially diverse and marginalized communities. The more I learned throughout my degree, the more it reaffirmed my belief that people should have the right to stable housing and be empowered to participate in decisions about what that housing looks like for them.

I am excited to be joining MDS because the firm’s values, along with its past and current projects, demonstrate a clear commitment to putting pro-social values into practice, which is important to me.”

We’re excited to have Quincy with us, and to have her contribute to the meaningful work of building more inclusive and affordable communities.

Construction is Underway on a New Development in Port Alberni

M'akola Development Services — Mon, 04 May 2026 21:03:38 +0000

Construction is underway on a new M’akola Housing Society development in Port Alberni! This five-storey building will add 40 affordable homes to a city that needs over 650 non-market units over the next decade to support the area’s most vulnerable renters.

Historically, Port Alberni has been considered affordable, but rising rents, low vacancy rates, and incomes below the provincial median have made housing increasingly out of reach for many. Today, nearly half of renter households struggle with unaffordable housing costs.

This project will deliver deeply subsidized and rent-geared-to-income homes for those who need them most, with a focus on Indigenous families and Elders. Supported by over $6.5 million from the Province through the Community Housing Fund, it’s a strong example of why continued investment in non-profit housing is essential to communities across the province.

Learn more about the project: 2866 4th Avenue, Port Alberni