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
Terrace, BC

REGION
North

CLIENT
Ksan House Society

PROJECT TEAM
Dan Condon Architect
Yellowridge Construction

BUILDING SIZE
43,840 sq.ft
45 Units

PROJECT COST
$11.3 million

COMPLETION DATE
Spring 2019

M’akola Development Services (MDS) worked with Ksan House Society (Ksan) as a development consultant for the design and construction of a 45-unit affordable housing project in Terrace, BC. The City of Terrace and Ksan partnered to address the need for affordable, accessible housing in the region. The project vision included the development of a 45 unit, three-storey apartment building comprised of 11 one-bedroom units, 27 two-bedroom units and six three-bedroom units. Six of the 45 units are adaptable.   

MDS worked with Ksan to successfully prepare funding applications, secure sufficient funding from both the federal and provincial government to mobilize the project through to construction. MDS was involved in the project from concept development stage through feasibility, procurement and design to construction and occupancy. The project finished construction in Spring of 2019 and is fully operational with a wait list. MDS continues to work with Ksan on other projects in Terrace including housing for women affected by violence. 

MDS SERVICES PROVIDED

• Feasibility analysis 
• Need and demand study 
• Funding applications, management and reporting
• Procurement and consultant management
• Partnership development
• Community engagement 
• Construction administration

STATUS
Complete

LOCATION
Courtenay, BC | K’ómoks territory

REGION
Vancouver Island

CLIENT
M’akola Housing Society

PROJECT TEAM
Joe Newell Architect
AFC Construction

BUILDING SIZE
18,062 sq. ft.
35 units

TOTAL PROJECT COST
$7.2 million

COMPLETION DATE
March 2019

M’akola Housing Society (MHS), in partnership with the City of Courtenay, the Wachiay Friendship Centre, and the support of the Comox Valley Regional District, developed a 35-unit affordable housing complex for low-income singles and those at risk of homelessness, with a focus on Indigenous peoples, in Courtenay, BC.

The high need for adequate and suitable housing in the Comox Valley, as well as MHS’s 19 years of experience operating in the region, garnered the project a high level of support from the community at large and has become a strategic priority for the City of Courtenay.

The M’akola Development Services team was responsible for the feasibility analysis, coordination of design development, site planning, and project management through construction. In addition, the team facilitated partnerships between numerous organizations and collaborated to honour the traditional territory of the K’ómoks First Nation. Construction was completed in the Spring of 2019.

MDS SERVICES PROVIDED

• Feasibility analysis
• Need and demand study
• Funding applications, management and reporting
• Procurement
• Partnership building
• Community engagement
• Construction administration

STATUS
Complete

LOCATION
Chilliwack, BC

REGION
Interior

CLIENT
Mamele’awt Qweesome Housing Society

PROJECT TEAM
Craven Huston Powers Architects
VanMar Constructors

BUILDING SIZE
77,625 sq. Ft.
80 housing units

PROJECT COST
$21 million

COMPLETION DATE
March 2019

The vision of the Waterstone was to create a walkable residential / mixed-use development that will increase the stock of quality, affordable housing in Chilliwack for low-income Indigenous families and singles.

With a range of affordability, the Waterstone development provides housing along the housing continuum from market housing through to moderate income, to affordable housing. A ground level commercial component, with an on-site daycare and playground will bring needed services and amenities to the tenants and surrounding residents. There are a total of 80 residential units, made up of one- to four-bedroom apartments, with 50% of the units designated as adaptable and five one-bedroom units voluntarily designed as wheelchair accessible.

Mamele’awt Qweesome Housing Society (MQHS) committed to adopting the highest sustainability standards as set out by the municipality and BC Building Code. Project specific goals will meet and exceed BC Housing’s Design Guidelines and Construction Standards (2014). These included: reducing energy consumption and GHG emissions during construction and operations; improving indoor environmental quality for tenants; and reducing operating, maintenance costs, and energy costs for future residents. The Waterstone began construction in August 2017 and completed construction in February, 2019.

MDS Services

• Need and demand study
• Population projections
• Housing and community infrastructure assessment and planning
• Community engagement
• Land use planning
• Project management
• Operations

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.