Lower Mainland – M'akola Development Services

Chawathil Affordable Housing Project, Chawathil First Nation

M'akola Development Services — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 20:44:50 +0000

STATUS
In Construction

LOCATION
Chawathil First Nation IR#2 Reserve Lands

REGION
Lower Mainland

CLIENT
Chawathil First Nation

PROJECT TEAM
The Nerdy Architect
Mierau Contractors

BUILDING SIZE
4 townhouse buildings
31 rental homes

PROJECT BUDGET
$26.5 million

EXPECTED COMPLETION DATE
Spring 2028

This project represents the first new housing developed in Chawathil First Nation Territory (on reserve) in the past 20 years. The Nation’s goals for this development are to improve living conditions on reserve, provide affordable rental rates that reduce the cost of living, and enable members living off-reserve to come home.

Extensive community engagement guided the design process. Surveys, open houses, interviews and focus groups have ensured that Chawathil priorities and the local context are meaningfully reflected in the development.

Our team is now working with Chawathil First Nation to develop and construct a 31-unit, multi-residential housing development on Schkam IR #2 reserve lands outside of Hope, BC. The development includes four wood-frame townhouses that will provide a mix of 1-, 2-, 3-, 4- and 5-bedroom units. The unit mix and style was determined based on community need, which identified housing for Elders who may care for family members or require care, and a need for housing for larger families.

The development features:

Bright and welcoming interior spaces
Exterior colours drawing inspiration from Chawathil identity
Roof lines referencing the nearby mountains to reinforce a sense of place
Durable metal roofing to enhance safety in response to increasing forest fire risk
Air conditioning systems for indoor comfort and healthier air quality
Cultural gathering areas including a harvest table and food processing space
Half basketball court suggested by Chawathil Youth

6488 Byrnepark Drive, Burnaby

M'akola Development Services — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 19:59:27 +0000

STATUS
In construction

LOCATION
Burnaby, BC

REGION
Lower Mainland

CLIENT
M’akola Housing Society

PROJECT PARTNERS
City of Burnaby
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
BC Housing

PROJECT TEAM
IBI Group
TL Housing Solutions

BUILDING SIZE
130 housing units

PROJECT COST
$90.5 million

ANTICIPATED COMPLETION DATE
Fall 2026

M’akola Development Society (MDS) is developing affordable rental housing for indigenous individuals, families and seniors in Burnaby on behalf of M’akola Housing Society (MHS) . This 130-unit, six-storey building contains a mix of studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom units. It also features underground parking, an indoor amenity room, and outdoor spaces such as a playground, dog run, and outdoor gathering space for people living in the building. The project will adhere to Step 4 of the BC Step Code.

This project has received $10.6 million in funding from the federal government through the Affordable Housing Fund. It has also received $23.5 million in funding through BC Housing, which includes $14.7 million from the Community Housing Fund, an $8.8 million Cost Pressure Grant, and $1.3 million in annual operating funding. The City of Burnaby is providing the land for this project, valued at $13 million, by way of a long-term lease at a nominal fee, along with $1.4 million towards feed waivers and site preparation and off-site servicing works. Metro Vancouver has also waived $867,000 in fees to support the project.

MDS SERVICES PROVIDED

Owner’s representative services
Site due diligence
Local government approvals
Funding applications
Procurement and consultant management
Design phase management
Budget and contract management
Construction administration
Capital and operating budgets
Project management services

Ho’-kee-melh Kloshe Lum, Vancouver

admin-itgroove — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 21:06:17 +0000

STATUS
Complete

LOCATION
Vancouver, BC

REGION
Lower Mainland

CLIENT
Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society

PROJECT PARTNERS
BC Housing
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
City of Vancouver

PROJECT TEAM
Low Hammond Rowe Architects
WCPG Construction

BUILDING SIZE
80 shelter beds
25 supportive units
143 rental homes
2 social enterprise commercial units

PROJECT COST
$145 million

COMPLETION DATE
March 2026

Located at East Hastings Street, this new development is named Ho’-kee-melh Kloshe Lum, meaning “To Gather, Good Spirits” in the Chinook Jargon. The development prioritizes Indigenous residents and incorporates design elements to foster culture and community.

M’akola Development Services (MDS) worked as the development consultant for BC Housing and the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society to build a range of housing options for people of all ages struggling to find a place to call home. It includes 80 safe shelter beds for people and families experiencing homelessness, 25 studios and one-bedrooms for people who are ready to move from the shelter to more independent living, 87 affordable rental homes for people and families with lower incomes (one, two and three-bedroom units), 56 market rental homes to help pay for the cost of the more affordable units, and 2 social enterprise space operated by the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society. The building also includes courtyard access, a rooftop multi-purpose and landscaped area, and a multi-level day centre with a range of services available, such as a dedicated cultural gathering space, lounge areas, a gym, an art studio and counselling spaces.

MDS SERVICES PROVIDED

Site analysis and feasibility
Planning and policy analysis
Funding applications
Site and land-use planning
Operations planning
Project management

Laxgalts’ap Village Project, Nisga’a Nation

M'akola Development Services — Mon, 20 May 2024 20:09:03 +0000

STATUS
In Development

LOCATION
Village of Laxgalts’ap

REGION
North

CLIENT
Nisga’a Village of Laxgalts’ap

PROJECT TEAM
dys architecture
IDL Projects

BUILDING SIZE
30 rental homes

PROJECT BUDGET
$26.1 million

EXPECTED COMPLETION DATE
Summer 2028

The Village of Laxgalts’ap, located within the Nisga’a Nation, is working with MDS to develop a 30 unit affordable housing project on Nation land. This wood-frame apartment building will provide a mix of studio, 1- and 2-bedroom apartments, providing affordable housing for Indigenous families, individuals, and Elders living independently on reserve. The project also includes surface parking, an amenity space, community garden plots, and storage spaces in the building.

As the development consultant, MDS is delivering a comprehensive suite of services, including project management, land use planning, communications and engagement support, and the coordination of local government approvals. MDS is also preparing capital and operating budgets, managing contracts and invoices, developing and administering funding applications, managing consultants, and overseeing construction administration.

This development is funded by BC Housing’s Indigenous Housing Fund, providing $9.9 million in funding. It is also funded by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Affordable Housing Fund, providing $8.6 million in funding.

Construction is anticipated to begin in summer 2026, and complete in summer 2028.