About Us
Okanagan Village Housing Society is a registered charity whose mandate is to develop a permanent inventory of managed, safe and comfortable rental housing at below market rate for the “working population” of lower to middle income workers, families, pensioners, and people with diverse abilities who are in need of help along their way to becoming or remaining long-term contributing citizens.
Vision & Mission Statement
Committed to providing affordable rental housing for individuals and families.
Method
“It takes a Village to raise a child”.
Okanagan Village Housing Society is a registered charity whose mandate is to develop a permanent inventory of managed, safe and comfortable rental housing at below market rate for the “forgotten population” of lower income workers, families, pensioners, and people with diverse abilities who are in need of help along their way to becoming or remaining long-term contributing citizens.
North Okanagan rental housing is becoming out of reach for many in this forgotten population. Employers now have trouble finding and retaining good workers. Our “Village” is less able to attract employable and productive future citizens.
“Lower income” no longer just describes unskilled and semi-skilled minimum wage and starting wage earners. This description has come to now also include certified trades people, educators, law enforcement, firefighters and young professionals.
Okanagan Village Housing Society needs land or money donations to help “kick-start” this expanding lower income group. Our community and employers will each benefit in return from this help. The return on investment will allow these essential workers – and their children – to remain in our “Village”.
With help from government and charitable donations from citizens, Okanagan Village Housing Society has since 2012 taken ownership and management of 102 safe and comfortable rental housing and units within Vernon city limits. Many more are needed in order to develop a financially sustainable inventory for the long term.
You or your business can support Okanagan Village Housing Society through making tax-deductible gifts of land, cash, stocks, real estate, life insurance policies and any other assets of tangible value. All non-real estate gifts will be used to purchase or develop below market rent housing.
A gift to Okanagan Village Housing Society through a will or estate plan helps a donor leave a continuing legacy which will benefit the community long after the donor is gone.
Our Team
Organizational Structure:
A non-profit society governed by a Board of Directors consisting of business representatives from the community, including members of the Legal, Financial, Accounting, Real Estate, and business consulting segments. The Board of Directors serve voluntarily and are elected yearly by members at the AGM. New Directors are recruited through a comprehensive process based on the skills required for the Board.
If you are interested in becoming a Director for the Okanagan Village Housing Society, please contact us.
Board of Directors
Staff
Cindy Masters
Executive Director
Kara Reynolds
Building Manager
Amelia Sirianni
Operations
Friends & Sponsors
Learn more by clicking the individual sponsor’s logo to visit their websites.
Greg Schroeder Memorial Award
The Okanagan Village Housing Society formerly known as Vernon and District Community Land Trust Society has established an annual award of $500 in memory of Greg Schroeder for a student who has completed full-time study in the Residential Construction program at the Vernon Campus of Okanagan College. The recipient will be a permanent resident of the North Okanagan region for at least one year at the time of application.
Greg Schroeder was a tireless community supporter and a founding member. As a lawyer with Davidson & Company, Greg ensured that all of the legalities of the many aspects of the society were in order. He also brought a tremendous passion for social issues within the community combined with a clear sense of the business side of the organization and projects. Greg was instrumental in many social projects in Vernon including: The People Place, Community Futures, Teen Junction, and Vision North Okanagan to name just a few. An active Rotarian, he led by example with his heart and many talents.
For more information on the the award, visit the Okanagan College Awards online list.
Previous Winners
2022 Award Winner: Seth Jones
2022 Award Winner: James Bernakevitch
2018 Award Winner: Brittany Couchman
2018 Award Winner: Jessica Jones
Contact Information
| Phone: | (250) 545-6475 |
| E-mail: | [email protected] |
| Address: | Okanagan Village Housing Society #100 - 3502 27th Avenue Vernon, BC V1T 7A1 |