Advancing housing solutions requires the collective wisdom of communities, government, housing developers, and non-profit providers working strategically to both increase and sustain the housing that exists in British Columbia. The plenary is an opportunity to share collective wisdom through hearing the ideas of some of the non-profit partners in delivery (including the Minister of Housing, the Honourable Rich Coleman, and the Chair of BCNPHA, Claudette Plante) and contemplating solutions with them. Maintaining the focus on the fact that housing is about human beings, our keynote address with Dr. Gabor Maté will bring personal reflections on working with the people who live in the housing that is operated by non-profits, and share successes and solutions from the perspective of serving these human beings. In the plenary discussion session, facilitated by BCNPHA Executive Director Karen Stone, we will explore the many options available to us as we contemplate redefining the non-profit housing sector for sustainability. We will discuss the solutions we can provide to ensure that we in the non-profit sector remain at the forefront of innovation, while also being recognized for our creativity, expertise and experience.
Plenary Sponsored by BC Housing.
Plenary Schedule
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9:00am–10:00am |
Welcome and Opening with Guest Speakers |
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10:00am–10:45am |
Keynote Address, sponsored by Coast Capital Savings |
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10:45am–11:15am |
Break |
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11:15am–12:00pm |
Advancing Housing Solutions Plenary Discussion |
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12:00pm–1:30pm |
Lunch with Profiled Partner Ameresco |
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1:30pm–2:00pm |
Trade show mingling and mixing |
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2:00pm |
Workshops begin! |
BCNPHA 2010 Partner Profile: AMERESCO
Monday, 22 November – Luncheon
Strong partnerships are essential to the success of BCNPHA and non-profits in British Columbia. In the last decade, our economy and society have changed profoundly. The private sector has restructured and all levels of governments have shrunk. This shift has caused charities and other community-service organizations to struggle with restructuring, even as they face increasing demand for multi-layered services, shrinking resources, and calls for increased accountability. We are being challenged by the opportunity to take greater responsibility for our communities, and we are being asked to become truly engaged as “citizens.” The social landscape in which we all live and work is changing and we must creatively devise solutions that will allow us to continue to provide our services while maintaining community standards. In response, communities have come together, seeking new partnerships with like-minded organizations, government agencies, and the business community. Creation of non-market housing typically requires multiple partners, and overall, research indicates that the move towards a public/private partnership model is positive. As a result, exciting new initiatives are springing up in communities all across the country.
With this in mind, BCNPHA is showcasing a non-profit-oriented partner from the private sector. Ameresco has been assisting in the design of tools and resources that, with our strategic engagement, will benefit our sector. Ameresco has joined with BCNPHA as a partner in more than a mere business arrangement. Rather, it has been exploring ways to help us improve the economic, social, and environmental sustainability of the non-profit sector.
CMHC National Web Broadcast
Tuesday, 23 November – Breakfast
Affordable housing makes our communities a better place to live, work, and grow. For more than sixty years, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), as Canada’s national housing agency, has been committed to providing safe, quality, and affordable housing for all Canadians. Join CMHC for a national web broadcast to launch National Housing Day and applaud those dedicated to advancing affordable housing in communities across Canada. This live webcast, which will link housing proponents from coast to coast, will feature snapshots of accomplishments, success stories, and best practices delivered through strong local partnerships and will highlight the importance and impact of these contributions on individuals and communities. This event will feature CMHC speakers and a national keynote address focused on the importance of advancing affordable housing solutions.
Denise LeBlond Memorial Award Presentation
Tuesday, 23 November – Luncheon
In 1999, BCNPHA instituted the Denise LeBlond Memorial Award, which honours an individual whose dedication and vision have furthered the cause of ensuring affordable, accessible housing for all in British Columbia. The award is named for Denise LeBlond (1948-1995), who devoted her working life and her volunteer time to making a difference in the community, across British Columbia and nationally. She worked tirelessly to keep non-profit housing on the national agenda, to develop new housing programs for BC, and to advocate for affordable housing on a community level. Previous recipients who have been honoured with this award are:
- Judy Graves (1999)
- Jane Dewing (2000)
- Frank Rushton (2001)
- Liz Evans (2002)
- Karen O’Shannacery (2003)
- Linda Ross (2004)
- Bob Nicklin (2005)
- Luke Stack (2006)
- Judith Lloyd (2007)
- Barbara Bacon (2008)
- Linda Thomas (2009)
The award will be presented during lunch on Tuesday, 23 November, to celebrate this year’s recipient, who has been chosen for his or her unique contribution to the housing sector.