As we mark our third year of operation, I am both proud and excited to reflect on our journey and share some significant updates with you. With support from all levels of government, we’ve made remarkable strides in our mission to enhance housing solutions in Squamish. We firmly believe that by providing stable, affordable, and accessible housing, we can help Squamish thrive as a diverse, equitable, and resilient community—one where everyone belongs and has a place to call home.
This newsletter edition is particularly special to me as I have the pleasure of welcoming the newest members of our Housing Squamish family. Please join me in extending a warm welcome to Rebecca Pousette, our new Housing Manager, and Carol Coffey, our new Society Operations Manager. As we continue to grow and evolve, it’s incredibly energizing to see fresh faces joining our team, bringing new ideas, perspectives, and talents. With Rebecca and Carol on our team, I am confident that we will continue to push boundaries and achieve even greater things together in service to our community.
Our dedicated team, though small, continues to leverage the power of partnership and collaboration to drive our success. We are thrilled to have joined forces with Hiy̓ám̓ ta Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Housing Society to acquire Tantalus Manor, preserving 40 affordable rental homes in our community. Additionally, our collaboration with BC Housing, Polygon Homes, and the District of Squamish is bringing eight new affordable homes to the Highline Community. You will read more about these exciting initiatives in the stories featured in this newsletter.
Looking ahead, we recognize that the need for affordable housing will only grow. To address this, we are pursuing a five-year partnership agreement with the District of Squamish, aimed at securing long-term, reliable funding through 2029. This investment of $2.355M over 5 years will empower us to continue our essential work, leverage more partnership and funding opportunities, and open doors to new affordable homes for our community.
Turning vision into reality requires careful planning, dedication, and resources. We are committed to ensuring that Squamish remains a place where everyone has a home, now and for years to come. We are most proud of the partnerships we’ve cultivated so far, and with more on the horizon, Housing Squamish will build on our successes and contribute to a future where affordable housing is accessible to all.
Those interested in exploring more about what was presented during the meeting can download the full presentation here.
You can also watch the full recording of the District of Squamish Council meeting here:
If you’d like to learn more about what Housing Squamish is doing, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. We would be delighted to meet with you and share some of our achievements and aspirations for the future.
Yours truly,
Sarah Ellis