STATUS
In development

LOCATION
Creston, BC

REGION
Interior

CLIENT
Creston Valley Community Housing Society

PROJECT TEAM
Christine Ross Architect
Mierau Contractors

BUILDING SIZE
18 unit townhouse

PROJECT COST
$14.8 million

ANTICIPATED COMPLETION
Fall 2027

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.

Construction is set to begin in Spring 2026, and is expected to complete in Fall 2027.

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

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

STATUS
In construction

LOCATION
Gabriola Island, BC

REGION
Vancouver Island

CLIENT
Gabriola Housing Society

PROJECT PARTNERS
BC Housing
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

PROJECT TEAM
Mobius Architecture
Kinetic Construction

BUILDING SIZE
24 housing units

PROJECT BUDGET
$18.3 million

ANTICIPATED COMPLETION DATE
Summer 2026

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.

Construction began in Fall 2024, and is expected to complete in Summer 2026.

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

STATUS
Complete

LOCATION
Castlegar, BC

REGION
Interior

CLIENT
Kootenay Society for Community Living

PROJECT TEAM
Christine Ross Architecture
North Mountain Construction

BUILDING SIZE
13 units

PROJECT COST
$7.4 million

COMPLETION DATE
April 2025

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.  

The M’akola Development Services team was responsible for the feasibility analysis, business case development, site planning, project management through construction, and one year warranty review stages. 

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

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