Squamish Community Housing Society Launches on a Mission to Increase Access to Secure, Stable and Inclusive Housing in Squamish

 From the newsroom of Squamish Community Housing Society 

Sarah Ellis, Executive Director of Squamish Community Housing Society

The Squamish Community Housing Society ("Housing Squamish) is excited to announce Sarah Ellis as its new Executive Director and the launch of its strategic plan. 

“As a community, we are incredibly fortunate to have a skilled and committed professional leading Housing Squamish,” said Kirby Brown, Chair of SCHS. “Our strategic plan – developed by our Board made up of diverse community stakeholders - recognizes that now is the time to leverage all available funding sources so that we can build needed homes in Squamish.”

“It is so great to see Housing Squamish launched and activating on its strategic plan,” says Jenna Stoner, Councillor with the District of Squamish and SCHS Board Director. “Affordable and attainable housing is such a critical issue in our community, which we know will take an ‘all-hands-on deck’ approach to address. Our hope is that Housing Squamish will build a team, work with community partners already doing great work, advance research and advocacy, as well as bring new funding opportunities that will deliver secure, stable and inclusive housing units in our community.”

As the new Executive Director, Sarah brings more than 10 years of experience in housing policy and development in the government and the non-profit sector. As a housing planner at the City of Vancouver, Sarah worked to develop policies and programs aimed at increasing affordable housing. Whether it was developing Vancouver’s 10-year housing strategy or the City’s first Housing Needs Report, Sarah has a track record of collaboration, creative thinking and advocacy. She currently serves as a non-profit board president in Squamish, and previously chaired the Metro Vancouver Regional Planning Housing Subcommittee.

“I am excited to take on this new role with Housing Squamish, and to build relationships with partners across our community to deliver housing solutions in Squamish.” said Ellis.

SCHS is also launching its first strategic plan, with four strategic pillars that will guide the work of the organization in coming years. This year’s focus will be leveraging resources to bring housing to the community and working toward creating a centralized hub for accessing housing and other housing-related resources in Squamish. SCHS is also currently accepting applications to fill seats for two additional Board Directors, and seeking community input in a housing survey, “Word on Housing”, open on the Housing Squamish website until December 1^st, 2023. Community members can find a link to the survey and more information about applying to join the Board by visiting http://housingsquamish.ca.

About the Squamish Community Housing Society

The Squamish Community Housing Society (SCHS) is a non-profit organization that catalyzes housing solutions for Squamish residents. The Society collaborates with the District of Squamish, non-profit housing agencies, government, and the community to deliver housing-related services to community members, as well as to sustain and develop a diverse range and supply of housing options across the entire housing continuum in Squamish. The SCHS is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of twelve local community members with diverse experience and expertise in housing.

Media inquiries: info@housingsquamish.ca

Website: housingsquamish.ca    

October 10, 2023