The Kootenay Workforce Housing Society brings partners together to advance collaborative housing solutions that support the region’s workforce, strengthen local economies, and help communities retain essential workers.
Established by Community Futures Central Kootenay in November 2025, the Society’s purpose is to support the development of housing in the Central Kootenay region and beyond, with a focus on meeting the needs of moderate-income, working individuals and families.
What We do
The Society works collaboratively with local governments, private developers, First Nations, and community partners to advance workforce housing projects. Our services include:
- Securing land for workforce housing development by holding lease agreements with property owners such as local governments, school districts, private landowners, and existing housing societies;
- Acting as the non-profit development partner that applies to funders and lenders to access grants and favourable financing for pre-development activities, feasibility studies, design development, and construction;
- Holding ownership and mortgages for workforce housing developments; and
- Acting as an aggregator to help smaller housing providers access funding opportunities, including programs such as Build Canada Homes.
The Society remains open to taking on additional roles that help fill gaps in the existing housing development ecosystem.
Governance
The Society is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of Community Futures Central Kootenay volunteers and staff with strong regional knowledge and experience in economic development, finance, and project delivery.
The Society’s founding Board of Directors includes:
- Terry Bambrick (Creston), Vice President
- Robert Bleier (Castlegar), President
- Am Naqvi (Nelson), Community Futures Central Kootenay representative
- Andrea Wilkey (Nelson), Secretary & Treasurer
Building Attainable Housing Symposium
This spring, the Kootenay Workforce Housing Society will host the Building Attainable Housing Symposium, bringing together non-profit housing providers, building professionals, local governments, and community leaders from across the region. The symposium will focus on practical, locally driven approaches to increasing workforce housing, with an emphasis on collaboration, shared learning, and solutions that can be implemented in Kootenay communities.
Check back soon for more information, including dates, speakers, and registration details.
