News

LDM at the 2023 Buildex Conference

Lu’ma Development Management Vice-President Simon Davie joined Donalene Rapada, CEO of Hiy̓ám̓ Housing Society for the Bringing Rapid, Affordable Housing to First Nations Communities Through Modular Construction event at Buildex on Thursday February 16th. The successful session explored the benefits and challenges of employing integrated planning and prefabricated modular construction to provide rapid, affordable homes to BC, focusing on two current Hiy̓ám̓ Housing projects on Squamish First Nation lands which are being funded under the Rapid Housing Initiative. Other Project Team members who were part of the panel included Sean Binns of Kindred Construction Ltd., Rory Richards of NUQO and Vance Harris of DIALOG.

Check out the video about the 55 unit Estítkw Place project on Lower Capilano Road

Posted on 2023-02-21

LDM Sponsors the UDI Celebrating Women Event

Lu’ma Development Management is a proud sponsor of Celebrating Women – an event that takes the opportunity to extol the achievements of strong women in the urban development industry. Panelists will speak on their career journey, lessons and advice they have picked up along the way as well as their area of expertise.

The inspiring discussion will revolve around influential professionals in the city, offering a diversity of experiences from career paths and goals to business approaches, as well as about their life's journey and struggles.

The panel includes Sarah Silva, who LDM was delighted to work with in her previous role as founding board member and CEO for Hiy̓ám̓ ta Sḵw̱xwú7mesh Housing Society.

Wednesday, October 5, 2022

5:00 - 7:30pm

Paradox Hotel

Grand Ballroom

1161 West Georgia Street

Posted on 2022-09-29

Copper Plate Burial Ceremony at the ALT Sixth Street Indigenous and Swahili Housing Project

The Ceremony was held prior to the start of construction to guide, protect and bless all those occupying the site. Copper has great historical significance in Coast Salish culture and is used in many events, ceremonies, honoring celebrations and personal effects.

Marcel Swain, CEO of the Lu’ma Group of Companies opened the ceremony saying “This project is a celebration of culture”.

Jean-Claude Bakundukize, co-founder of Swahili Vision International Association agreed stating “this is the beginning of something amazing”.

Qayqayt First Nation Chief Rhonda Larrabee said “Two cultures will be learning from each other and living in peace and harmony”.

The new project will offer 96 affordable homes for Indigenous and black seniors and families on Sixth Street near Eighth Avenue in New Westminster – a great location close to many amenities.

The Aboriginal Land Trust Society (ALT) is working in collaboration with Swahili Vision International to bring much needed housing to two underserved groups. The building and landscaping will incorporate Indigenous and Swahili art, Indigenous plants and other cultural elements. Amenities will include a ground-floor amenity room with kitchen, washroom and storage as well as a large outdoor terrace with a dining area, seating and barbecue hookups, multi-use exercise space and a children's play area.

Posted on 2022-09-13

Tzeachten First Nation Celebrates New Homes

Tzeachten First Nation held a grand opening at the site of their 23 unit affordable housing project on Lá:lém Way. The project received funding under the 2020 CHF Building Community Fund, the CMHC Seed Fund and from Indigenous Services Canada. Attended by Chief Derek Epp and Council members, General Manager James Atebe, dignitaries including Chilliwack-Kent MLA Kelli Paddon, Chilliwack Mayor Ken Popove, members of the Project Team, members of the Tzeachten First Nation and future residents, the opening was a joyous and long-awaited occasion.

“This has been a vision of the past chief and councils for well over a decade” said master of ceremonies, Chief Epp. “Our first initiative to try to address our housing needs”. “A lot of families moving back home and that’s important to us”. It was noted that there has been overcrowding and inadequate unit sizes in some Tzeachten homes and that in the new project “some kids will have their own bedroom for the first time”!

Ernie Daniels, President and CEO of First Nations Finance Authority hailed the “really awesome groundbreaking project”. This the first housing project in BC with Indigenous financing (from FNFA).

Simon Davie was invited to be a guest speaker on behalf of LDM. He congratulated Tzeachten First Nation saying “the Tzeachten Team is such a professional organization and such a strong group”

Both Simon and Chief Epp highlighted the importance of excellent partnerships in order to successfully build new affordable housing across the province.

Residents are expected to begin moving into their brand new homes in July.

Posted on 2022-06-27

Pole Unveiling Celebration

The Aboriginal Land Trust and Lu’ma Native Housing Society, along with Elders, dignitaries, residents and well-wishers celebrated the installation of the new pole at the Colwood Indigenous Family Housing project on Vancouver Island. The project is located on the traditional territory of the Teechamista and the Lekwugen speaking people of the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations.

The pole was donated by the Huu-ay-aht First Nations and carved by Edward Johnson.

Posted on 2022-07-08

The Gitxsan Child and Family Services Society housing project in Sik-E-Dakh is underway!

“The world over, when you put a spade or shovel in the ground you are going to plant something. The good energy of the ground will come through because it’s been blessed, because it’s been cleansed and because medicine was laid down for that energy”

A Ground Blessing/Ground Breaking ceremony was held on May 2 as the Bringing the Children Home Longhouse begins construction.

This project is a 15 unit wood frame longhouse designed as three separate projects with separate entrances under one roof. It features 3 three-bedroom townhouse units for women and children fleeing violence, a 6 bed group home for children in care and 6 independent living units in a youth mentorship model for young adults aged 18-24 which will provide them with a strong support program offering life skills, cultural support, education, employment, safety and oversight.

Posted on 2022-05-06

New Squamish Nation Housing Announced

Today brings the announcement of two new Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) housing projects being funded under the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI). The new buildings are anticipated to be ready for occupancy in 2023.

LDM worked with the Nation to submit the successful funding application for the projects and is providing development management services for the projects.

These new housing projects are made up of two buildings with a total of 80 units: one in the Squamish Valley and one in North Vancouver. Squamish Nation will be contributing the land for both buildings. Squamish Nation is working in partnership with Hiy̓ ám̓ ta Sḵwx̱ wú7mesh Housing Society (Hiy̓ ám̓ Housing) who will operate the buildings.

Téy̓ wilh Apartments at Xwmélch’tstn will include 50 units, the majority of which will be studio units. While this project will focus on providing housing to women, all Squamish Nation members who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, including Elders, will be eligible for residency. Residents at the building will be able to access the Squamish Nation’s social and food services, recreation, childcare, education and cultural supports.

Estétey̓ wilh Apartments at Siy̓ ích’em will include 30 supportive housing units with a mix of unit sizes as well as multipurpose, cultural and exterior amenity spaces. The project will focus on providing housing and services to women and children fleeing violence.

Posted on 2022-02-22

LDM President Named to Vancouver Magazine’s Power 50 List

Marcel Swain, CEO of Lu’ma Native Housing Society and President of Lu’ma Development Management has been named to the prestigious Power 50 List – described by the magazine as “the change-makers and power players shaping our world in 2022”.

Vancouver Magazine goes on to say: “To be powerful today is to be generous, to wield one’s impact with grace and to effect change on scales large and small”.

Congratulations, Marcel!

Posted on 2022-02-16

Congratulations - Successful Land Designation Vote.

Congratulations to Hiy̓ám̓ ta Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Housing Society on receiving a positive vote in the Land Designation referendum this Wednesday on 3 affordable housing sites. Approximately 550 Squamish Nation members cast their vote over mail and in-person resulting in an overwhelming majority in favour of designating the land for multi-family affordable housing and community uses. The land designation will allow Hiy̓ám̓ to develop these parcels of land and deliver over 400 units of housing.

Lu’ma Development Management is proud to work with Hiy̓ám̓ to help meet the goal of bringing Squamish Nation members home within a generation.

Posted on 2021-07-31

Chief Agnes McCoy Centre Opens!

Lu’ma Development Management provided development management services to the Aqanttanam Housing Society to successfully complete this exciting new affordable housing project for Indigenous people in Cranbrook.

The project provides 39 new affordable rental homes for Indigenous families, Elders, seniors and individuals with a range of household incomes. The three storey wood frame building features one, two and three bedroom units.

The Aqanttanam Housing Society provided the land for the project and owns and operates the building. The Province provided capital funding through the Indigenous Housing Fund and will also provide an annual operating subsidy as well as construction financing. The Columbia Basin Trust also contributed a grant for the project.

The building is named in honor of the late Agnes McCoy, an elected Chief and respected Elder from ?aq’am, a member community of the Ktunaxa Nation. Chief McCoy was one of the founders of the Aqanttanam Housing Society.

Lu’ma Development Management is a leading Indigenous social purpose real estate development management firm working with Indigenous organizations and governments across the Province of BC to make affordable housing projects a reality for Indigenous people. LDM currently has nearly 1000 housing units completed, under construction and in development.

Posted on 2021-06-10

Aboriginal Land Trust Society's Colwood Project Blessing Ceremony

A Blessing Ceremony was held on June 5th, 2019, at the site of the new Aboriginal Land Trust Society housing project at 342 Wale Road in Colwood BC. The Blessing was conducted by members of the local First Nations, including the Esquimalt and Songhees, on whose traditional territories the project is being built. Construction is now underway for this exciting affordable housing project which will provide 124 homes for Vancouver Island Indigenous families and individuals. The project is close to transit links, the Juan de Fuca library branch, West Shore Parks and Recreation facilities and other resources.

Posted on 2019-07-05

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