About Us

The Okanagan Village Housing Society, a local non-profit organization, is actively providing affordable housing in our communities and is working to ensure even more options in the future.

We have identified working families on a low to moderate income, seniors, and people with disabilities as the ‘forgotten population’ and are developing housing for these households.  We are also open to developing projects for other target populations as opportunities arise.

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 Land Trust, please contact us.

Board of Directors

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Margaret Penner

Board Chair

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Paul Philps

Treasurer

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Dale Kermode

Sattu Mahapatra

Graysen Marsh

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Lisa Salt

Chuck Winn

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Margaret Penner

Margaret Penner has worked in the Hospitality Industry in Vernon since moving here with her family in 1982. She worked in management at Silver Star for 20 years and as Director of Sales & Marketing at Predator Ridge. Margaret understands that affordable housing is a key factor in attracting and retaining quality staff.

She is passionate about the “Service Industry”, working as a trainer for several local companies as well as her own small businesses. She was one of the founding Sponsors of the “Go Award” – a program recognizing Above & Beyond Service for front line workers in Vernon. Margaret believes everyone; including low – middle income employees and seniors deserve a safe healthy home, and is part of The Land Trust Board to work toward this commitment.

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Paul Philps

Paul is a Financial Advisor with RBC Dominion Securities. As a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) Paul uses his diverse financial background to ensure his clients financial needs as well as life goals are well planned for. He works to take the stress of financial planning off of his clients. Due to him holding both an IIROC license as well as being licensed to sell insurance, Paul is able to handle all of his clients needs.

Paul chose to work with the Vernon Land Trust due to its commitment to helping the community and working to make sure that more people can enjoy all that Vernon has to offer. Paul was an easy transplant to Vernon as his wife grew up in Coldstream. Along with his two daughters and a small maltalier dog Mia, Paul has come to love Vernon and hopes to make sure that others have the same opportunity.

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Dale Kermode

Dale was a lawyer, mediator and arbitrator for 35 years in Vancouver and Vernon before retiring in 2011 from Nixon Wenger. He now volunteers his skills in planning and governance to local organizations.

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Lisa Salt

Being in the residential real estate sales business in Vernon since 1993, Lisa has had a front row seat watching the property values increase throughout the Okanagan. She truly understands the need for affordable housing in Vernon specifically, and is confident that her experience and knowledge of the local real estate market will prove to be a valuable component in assisting the Okanagan Village Housing Society Board of Directors with current and future developments.

Born and raised in Vernon, Lisa left her home town in 1984 to attend post secondary education at the University of British Columbia. In 1989 she graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Finance and minoring in Marketing. Shortly thereafter she made the move once again back to Vernon to begin her real estate sales career, and the rest is history.

Lisa looks forward to achieving the goal of bringing more affordable housing to Vernonites at a time when she knows they need it the most.

Staff

Cindy Masters

Executive Director

Kara Reynolds

Building Manager

Learn more by clicking the individual sponsor’s logo to visit their websites.

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