In April 1990, a group of community members met to discuss the lack of decent, affordable rental accommodation for families in Nanaimo – a situation then approaching crisis proportions. As a result of this meeting a non-profit housing society was formed and the Nanaimo Affordable Housing Society (NAHS) was incorporated under the Society Act of British Columbia on May 31, 1990.
The Society then applied and received registered charity status from Revenue Canada. As a result, donations to the work of the Society are tax deductible.
Since then NAHS has played an active role in many issues relating to housing in Nanaimo – consulting and lobbying various levels of government, participating in public forums, liasing with interested community groups, etc. In 1994 the Society built a 17-unit family housing project, Albion Place, located at 510 Pine Street. The same year, BC Housing approached the Society with the offer of a one-time grant to build a 20-unit complex for singles. With the cooperation of the City, this project was built on leased property at 350 Prideaux Street. In 2001, a new 24 unit project for singles was approved and, in April of 2005, our newest complex was opened at 153 Wallace Street. Both 350 Prideaux and 153 Wallace provide staff supported, independent housing for individuals with permanent disabilities.
In 1995 the Society also secured funding for a housing registry and sponsored a project called, Community Housing Services. After a few years, funding was not renewed and operations were taken over by the Volunteer and Information Services Bureau.
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Iola Floyd, President
Marie Louise Garenkooper, Vice President
Elliott Musicar, Treasurer
Gwen Boyd, Secretary
Jacqui Barley
Martin Buck
Jackie Coates
John Horn
Ken Joubert
David Moddle
