MDS is working with Turning Points Collaborative Society to develop affordable rental housing for low-income individuals and families in Kelowna.

This 6-storey, 68 unit development will provide purpose‐built rental units that range in size from studios to three‐bedroom units. Fourteen percent of these units are adaptable, and seven percent are accessible for persons with disabilities. The project will be built to BC Step Code 3, ensuring a high level of energy efficiency. Sustainability features include fully electric mechanical systems, solar shading at windows, boulevard trees and landscaping that enhances biodiversity, and native planting species to minimize the need for watering and chemical treatments.

Two amenity spaces, an outdoor rooftop terrace and a community garden, will facilitate social gathering and interaction. Beyond the building, residents will benefit from close proximity to transit, stores, schools and parks.

MDS SERVICES PROVIDED

• Owner’s representative
• Procurement and consultant management
• Funding applications, management and reporting
• Local government approvals
• Design phase management

MDS has partnered with the Creston Valley Community Housing Society to build an 18-unit rowhouse building designed to provide homes in the heart of Creston. Prospective tenant groups include, but are not limited to, low‐ and moderate‐income families, Indigenous Peoples, 2SLGBTQ+ people, persons with disabilities, refugees, and persons fleeing violence.

The dwellings are arranged around a courtyard area, creating a community within a community. The use of a central courtyard creates an open space for connectivity. Townhomes have been selected to create family‐sized homes at a more affordable price, while allowing each family to have their own space. In relation to the surrounding community, the walkable location encourages residents to go by foot or bike to downtown Creston, schools, parks, and other amenities. The project has also been designed to a high sustainability standard and includes the use of solar panels.

The project has received significant financial backing at a local and federal level for the use of energy efficient/green development features and the provision of affordable housing. This includes grants from Columbia Basin Trust, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Green Municipal Fund, and local financial contributions through fundraising and donation efforts. The project was recently awarded full project funding through the BC Housing Community Housing Fund RFP call.

MDS has partnered with the Slocan Valley Housing Society to build two rowhouse buildings designed to provide much needed affordable housing to Slocan. This development includes a 6 unit building and a fully accessible building with 4 units. Both buildings include surface parking, landscaping, pitched roofs and are fully sprinklered. Adjoining pathways create connections to existing sports fields and the main community corridor. This project is designed to meet BC Energy Step Code 3.

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

The Canadian Mental Health Association Shuswap Revelstoke has been working closely with M’akola Development Services, CanZea Developments, and Avex Architecture to develop 40 new, affordable townhome units at 1141 18th Steet N.E. in Salmon Arm.

This project will be comprised of eight wood frame, multi-residential, town house buildings, with a mix of studio-to-four-bedroom units constructed to meet the housing needs of seniors, families, and people with disabilities. Consisting of two 4-plex, four 5-plex, and two 6-plex buildings, the buildings will be situated at different elevations due to sloping, with on-site driveway, carport, and guest parking stalls. Each town home will also have in-suite storage and laundry, as well as access to a shared outdoor green space for tenants.

The site is located in close proximity to green spaces, bike and transit routes, and within a 1km distance to a commercial center, recreational center, schools, the hospital, the city centre, and many other services.

As the mental health and wellbeing of individuals and communities cannot be addressed without access to secure and adequate housing, the development of 40 affordable housing units will offer a safe and affordable space where residents of Salmon Arm can thrive.   

MDS is working with Brightside to develop affordable rental housing for low-income individuals and families in Vancouver, along with a new child care space and firehall.

This mixed-use development includes 283 non-market housing units funded by BC Housing’s Community Housing Fund. The project will be the future home of Firehall #8, replacing the aging Yaletown firehall facility. With four apparatus bays and energy efficient design that meets Passive House standards, the new firehall will be a cutting edge modern upgrade supporting public safety in the downtown Vancouver. The 44-space childcare facility adds critically needed affordable childcare to the high-density Northeast False Creek community. The childcare facility will be operated by the Vancouver Society of Children’s Centres (VSOCC).

MDS SERVICES PROVIDED

• Owner’s representative
• Procurement and consultant management
• Funding applications, management and reporting
• Local government approvals
• Design phase management

MDS worked as a development consultant with Progressive Housing Society to develop an affordable housing project at 7492 Holly Street, Burnaby BC. This project includes a total of 14 units of non-market housing for people at risk of homelessness who would benefit from an enhanced mental-health and physical health-care program.

Our team supported the Society in the demolition of the existing 5-bedroom single family home and led the subdivision of the site, separating the Society’s parcel into two, allowing the construction of two separate single-family homes.  

Each building was designed to include 5 units of upstairs affordable and fully accessible co-living style housing with supports that will be operated by Progressive Housing Society and Fraser Health Authority. The upstairs suites include an elevator lift to reach both floors. They also include a cellar suite with 2 units of subsidized independent living. This project meets the growing demand for such services, ensuring that more individuals can access the supportive environment they need.

MDS SERVICES PROVIDED

• Owner’s representative services
• Local government approvals
• Funding applications, management, and reporting
• Procurement and consultant management
• Construction administration
• Project management services

MDS is working with the Gabriola Housing Society to develop eight triplex buildings over a five-acre property, providing 24 new affordable rental homes for people with low to moderate incomes living on Gabriola Island.

These buildings will offer a mix of studio, one- two- and three-bedroom homes, with ground-level entry and in-suite laundry. The property is close to the village, the school, health centres, shopping, transportation, the Commons, and Huxley Park.

MDS SERVICES PROVIDED

• Owner’s representative services
• Site due diligence
• Capital and operating budgets
• Partnership development
• Local government approvals
• Funding applications, management and reporting
• Procurement and consultant management
• Budget and contract management
• Construction administration
• Project management services

M’akola Development Services (MDS) partnered with Kootenay Society for Community Living (KSCL) for the design and construction of the Eagles Estates affordable housing project located at 1101 2nd Street in Castlegar, BC.  

The project is a three-storey, wood-frame, residential development, consisting of 8 affordable housing units for low- to mid-income individuals and a 5-bedroom care home for KSCL’s client population. The 5-bedroom care facility on the ground floor will serve adults with developmental disabilities, while the top two floors will include 8 one-bedroom apartment units, with one fully accessible unit and three adaptable units.  

Design of the project required coordination of CLBC’s care facility building requirements and the BC Housing Design Guidelines. The project also required coordination of multiple funders – BC Housing, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, and Columbia Basin Trust. MDS also facilitated a land swap with the municipality to advance the previously stalled project.  

MDS SERVICES PROVIDED

• Feasibility analysis and studies
• Site due diligence    
• Funding applications, management and reporting
• Capital and operating budgets 
• Design team procurement   
• Construction administration
• Project management services