STATUS
Complete

LOCATION
Nelson

REGION
Interior

CLIENT
City of Nelson

PROJECT TEAM
Turner Drake and Partners

MDS SERVICES PROVIDED
Housing needs assessment
Growth analysis and strategies
Engagement and facilitation

COMPLETION DATE
October 2024

PROJECT DELIVERABLE
City of Nelson Housing Needs Report 2024

As part of their Official Community Plan update process, the City of Nelson chose to go above and beyond Provincial requirements and complete a full Housing Needs Report update in 2024, bypassing the interim report. MDS and Turner Drake were engaged to complete the work in partnership with staff and local housing stakeholders.

The report involved a detailed analysis of population and household trends, housing supply and condition, rental and ownership markets, affordability, and housing stability. Engagement with local service providers and community organizations helped ground the findings in local experience and highlighted pressures related to low vacancy rates, rising housing costs, and limited housing choice across the community.

Findings in the report highlight the potential for dramatic growth in Nelson and have kick-started the development of three multi-family affordable housing developments, one specific to workforce housing.

The final report was presented to Mayor and Council in October 2024. It meets all the criteria required for interim reports and includes additional collection and reporting to meet the requirements for full reports. As one of the first full reports completed under new legislation, the City of Nelson was able to access new Census data, affordability projections, and creative analysis on market and non-market need.

STATUS
Complete

LOCATION
Victoria, BC

REGION
Vancouver Island

CLIENT
Pacifica Housing Advisory Association

PROJECT TEAM
Christine Lintott Architects
TL Housing Solutions

BUILDING SIZE
88 housing units
59 childcare spaces

PROJECT COST
$57 million

COMPLETION DATE
October 2024

M’akola Development Services worked as the development consultant for Pacifica Housing to develop The Ferns, an affordable rental housing development located in Victoria, BC.

This mixed-use development is comprised of two buildings that contain 88 housing units, an on-site daycare, underground parking, and bike storage. In between the buildings is a landscaped courtyard that connects the community. The property is located close to transit, shopping centres, parks and the Galloping Goose Trail – providing residents with convenient access to nearby destinations and services.

MDS SERVICES PROVIDED

• Capital and operating budgets
• Funding applications, management and reporting
• Procurement and consultant management
• Design phase management
• Local government approvals
• Construction administration
• Project management

STATUS
Complete

LOCATION
Kitimaat Village, BC

REGION
North

CLIENT
Haisla Nation Council

PROJECT TEAM
Low Hammond Rowe Architects
Yellowridge Construction

BUILDING SIZE
23 housing units

PROJECT COST
$9.1 million

COMPLETION DATE
September 2024

M’akola Development Services (MDS) partnered with Haisla Nation to explore housing options for their Members living on and off the Traditional Territory of Haisla Nation. This involved collaboration with Haisla staff on community outreach and design. MDS staff employed a multi-pronged community engagement and consultation approach, working closely with Haisla Nation Council to reach Members across BC through focus groups, surveys and community forums.

The result of this research and engagement was the design of a new 23-unit, three-story apartment building on-reserve in Kitamaat Village. The building consists of 5 one-bedroom, 12 two-bedroom, and 6 three-bedroom apartments as well as ground floor community space, and ample shared deck/outdoor spaces. 

MDS SERVICES PROVIDED

• Need and demand study; population projections
• Housing and community infrastructure assessment and planning
• Stakeholder engagement and consultation
• Land use planning under Haisla’s land code
• Project management services
• Invoice and contract management
• Operations support

STATUS
Complete

LOCATION
Terrace, BC

REGION
North

CLIENT
Ksan Society

PROJECT TEAM
Boni Maddison Architects
Golden Globe Construction

BUILDING SIZE
22 housing units

PROJECT COST
$12.7 million

COMPLETION DATE
August 2024

MDS partnered with the Ksan House Society (Ksan) as development consultant for the design and construction of Ella’s Place, a 22-unit second stage housing development in Terrace. Building on Ksan’s 30+ years of supporting women and vulnerable populations, and its adjacent transitional housing facility, the project expands its services by providing second stage housing for women and children at risk of violence.

Funded through BC Housing’s Building BC: Women’s Transition Housing Fund and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) Women and Children Shelter and Transitional Housing Initiative, the development includes a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom units, along with common amenity and programming spaces. The project offers residents up to two years of supportive housing to promote healing, resilience, and transition to independent living. Construction began in 2022, and the project was fully operational in 2024.

MDS SERVICES PROVIDED

• Feasibility analysis and studies
• Project management services
• Local government approvals
• Partnership development and coordination
• Expression of Interest submission (Women’s Transition Housing Fund)

STATUS
Complete

LOCATION
Sooke, BC

REGION
Vancouver Island

CLIENT
M’akola Housing Society

PROJECT TEAM
Studio 531 architects
Scansa Construction

BUILDING SIZE
170 units

PROJECT COST
$55 million

COMPLETION DATE
2024

Working with M’akola Housing Society and funding partners, MDS delivered a 170‑unit affordable housing development featuring two five‑storey residential buildings and an amenity building. The project offers studio to three‑bedroom homes, including accessible units, designed to support Indigenous families and a mix of low‑ to moderate‑income residents. The 3.4‑hectare site incorporates community gardens, a 0.4‑hectare covenanted green space, and a public pathway that showcases Indigenous art and stories.

M’akola Development Services acted as the owner’s representative during the design-build process and was responsible for supporting the municipal approvals process, funding applications, and maintaining the project budget. Our team produced development and building permit applications for this project, before managing it throughout construction.  

MDS SERVICES PROVIDED

• Owner’s representative
• Project management services
• Site analysis and feasibility
• Design phase management
• Funding applications
• Procurement and consultant management
• Budget and contract management
• Construction administration