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

MDS is 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.

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.

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

M’akola Development Services (MDS) worked with Nanaimo Affordable Housing (NAHS) to develop a new mixed-use development comprised of affordable, independent housing units and commercial space. The development consists of a six‐storey residential building with slab on grade and suspended slab on the second floor. It is geared towards seniors in the region and includes a total of 159 units, with a mix of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units. The ground floor has a commercial kitchen, dining area, and activity space for the residents, while the remaining floors have residential units. Construction began in June 2019, and was completed in June 2022.

MDS secured federal and provincial funding for the project, prepared a full proforma including a capital and operating budget, and procured the full design consulting team and Construction Manager. MDS worked diligently with the client, the contractor and the design team during construction and will continue to support operations planning and programming for this project.

MDS Services

• Feasibility analysis
• Federal and Provincial funding applications
• Site and land use planning
• Development and construction analysis and planning
• Procurement of full design consulting team
• Municipal permits and approvals
• Invoice and contract management

STATUS
Complete

LOCATION
Kamloops, BC

REGION
Interior

CLIENT
Lii Michif Otipemisiwak Family & Community Services

PROJECT TEAM
Richard Hunter Architect
D&T Developments

BUILDING SIZE
18,624 s.f.
31 housing units

TOTAL PROJECT COST
$6.9 million

COMPLETION DATE
November 2020

Lii Michif Otipemisiwak Family & Community Services (LMO), with the support of the City of Kamloops, has completed construction of a 31-unit residential building to house First Nation, Métis and Inuit youth who are aging out of care alongside Elders. This unique project, in honour of Alex’s Story, is aiming to provide a culturally supported, safe and suitable home for youth who can fall through the cracks on the housing continuum.

“Ki-kek-yel-c” means to cover young protectively; how birds wrap wings around their young. The name was gifted to LMO by a group of Secwepemc speakers to honour the territory. “A Place of Belonging” is the name of LMO’s first housing project and honours the Métis and the efforts of the organization to bring this much needed project to life.

The project vision included the development of a 31 unit, two-storey apartment building comprised of 15 studio units and 16 one-bedroom units. Six of the 31 units will be adaptable. Through a partnership with AHMA, tenant support workers will be available on-site for youth to access.

To date, MDS has prepared a feasibility analysis, need, and demand, and, through successful funding applications, securing funding from both the federal and provincial government to mobilize the project through to construction. MDS led a successful comprehensive community engagement strategy through a contentious rezoning process. The project broke ground in May 2019 and received substantial completion in August, 2020.

MDS SERVICES PROVIDED

• Feasibility analysis and studies
• Need and demand study
• Procurement and consultant management
• Partnership development
• Community engagement
• Construction administration

STATUS
Complete

LOCATION
Vernon, BC

REGION
Interior

CLIENT
Vernon Native Housing Society

PROJECT TEAM
New Town Architecture and Engineering
Scuka Enterprises

BUILDING SIZE
33,615 sq.ft
38 housing units

PROJECT COST
$11 million

COMPLETION DATE
June 2020

VNHS completed the development and construction of a four-storey apartment building, the Thunderbird Manor, in May 2020. Their current addition to their portfolio includes 38-units comprising of studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom suites. 

The units have been made available for Indigenous Elders, individuals with accessibility challenges, and families living off-reserve. The site is well located within walking distance to amenities, recreational activities, a grocery store and other commercial locations. 

The project began construction in November 2018. M’akola Development Services (MDS) was responsible for preparing federal and provincial funding applications, project team mobilization and coordination from pre-development through to construction. MDS also coordinated and managed municipal approval processes, procured the full design consulting team and construction manager.  

Throughout the entire project MDS managed the capital budget (soft and hard costs) and provided contract administration services. This project was one of the first projects in BC to successfully receive Co Investment financing through a funding partnership with BC Housing and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).

MDS SERVICES PROVIDED

• Feasibility and site analysis
• Community engagement 
• Funding applications 
• Procurement and contract management
• Site and land use planning
• Local government approvals 
• Contract administration 

STATUS
Complete

LOCATION
Quesnel, BC

REGION
North

CLIENT
Dakelh and Quesnel Community Housing Society

PROJECT TEAM
Boni Maddison Architects
Katawa Construction

BUILDING SIZE
33,310 sq. ft.
38 units

PROJECT COST
$9.4 million

COMPLETION DATE
May 2019

M’akola Development Services (MDS) worked as a development consultant for Dakelh and Quesnel Community Housing Society (DQCHS) for the design and construction of a new affordable housing building in downtown Quesnel.

Kikihnaw consists of a four-storey building with 38 units in a mix of studios, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom layouts geared towards Indigenous Elders. Common spaces for tenants include a multipurpose/lounge room and outdoor terrace. There is also a resident laundry room and outdoor deck facing the street on each floor. A common scooter room with recharging capability is also provided as part of the development.

MDS assisted DQCHS in the preparing successful funding proposals to BC Housing and the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). MDS was also responsible for the development of the capital and operating budgets, feasibility analysis, site investigation and site planning. Site planning included environmental investigations and characterization of foundation materials remaining on the site from a previous development. The project completed construction and received its Occupancy Permit in May 2019.

MDS SERVICES PROVIDED

• Funding applications, management and reporting
• Capital and operating budgets
• Site and land use planning
• Local government approvals
• Project management

STATUS
In construction

STATUS
In construction

LOCATION
Saanich, BC

REGION
Vancouver Island

CLIENT
Luther Court Society

PROJECT TEAM
Studio 531 Architects
Heatherbrae Builders

PROJECT BUDGET
$57.8 million

M’akola Development Services (MDS) is working with Luther Court Society (LCS) and the Lutheran Church of the Cross (LCC) to develop a new mixed-use development comprised of affordable, independent units for seniors and students, with social and healthcare spaces on the ground floor. As the development process proceeds, other partnerships will be further explored, including a partnership with Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA).

The proposed project is located in Saanich, BC, in a residential community outside the core of Victoria. The development will provide 82 new studio and one-bedroom units in a four-storey building. Community amenities will include a common kitchen, student lounge, shared spaces and a primary health care centre on the ground floor. The proposed development will be wood framed, with surface, underbuilding, and underground parking.

MDS is responsible for supporting all municipal approval processes, including: rezoning, subdivision if required, the development and building permit process, etc. MDS is responsible for procurement of the design team. MDS will also explore opportunities to leverage provincial and federal funding.

MDS SERVICES PROVIDED

• Demand and feasibility studies
• Site and land use planning
• Local government approvals
• Procurement and consultant management
• Community engagement
• Construction administration
• Project management

STATUS
Complete

LOCATION
Duncan, BC

REGION
Vancouver Island

CLIENT
M’akola Housing Society

PROJECT TEAM
Low Hammond Architects

BUILDING SIZE
4-story – 52,000 sq. ft.
50 units

PROJECT COST
$14 million

COMPLETION DATE
December 2013

Ts’i’ts’uwatul Lelum (pronounced Ts-ee-tsu-wa-tul Lay-lum), is Hul’qumi’num for “home for helping each other.”

This four-storey, 52,000 sq. ft. LEED Silver building is comprised of 50 self-contained apartment-style units, specifically designed for Elders and persons with disabilities. Support services are provided in a culturally-sensitive manner to those in need of assistance with the activities of daily living. It includes a dining room, craft room, theatre room, an Aboriginal ceremony room, and an outdoor gathering place.

The partnership involves a 49-year lease with Cowichan Tribes (building is located on their traditional territories) and a 35-year mortgage. It is serviced by Island Health, with BC Housing and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) playing key roles. An Aboriginal Elders’ Advisory Committee advised on the project, including on aspects of design, employment, cultural competency training, and operations.

The M’akola Development Services team oversaw all aspects of the project scope, including community consultations, need and demand study, feasibility analysis, design, financing, construction, and operations. M’akola’s work on this project was conducted in a thoughtful and collaborative manner, according to the clients’ needs. The project was completed on time and under budget.

STATUS
Complete

LOCATION
Langford, BC

REGION
Vancouver Island

CLIENT
M’akola Housing Society

PROJECT TEAM
Erik Barker, Architect

BUILDING SIZE
4-storey – 55,000 sq. ft.
60 housing units

PROJECT COST
$9 million

COMPLETION DATE
July 2006

Jesken Aerie is an assisted living building for Elders/seniors and persons with disabilities. The project involves a 35-year operating agreement with BC Housing, and fully subsidized by BC Housing and VIHA. The project scope was the full continuum of housing development, commencing with a Need and Demand Study and Feasibility Analysis, through to all stages of development and operations. It was completed in 2006 and is a partnership between M’akola Housing Society, BC Housing, Vancouver Island Healthy Authority and the City of Langford.