Schedule

All times are listed in Pacific Time (PT).

Program Overview - Richmond, 2026
8:00 am - 8:30 am Registration Open
8:30 am - 9:00 am Breakfast
9:00 am - 10:15 am Welcome Plenary
10:15 am - 10:45 am Tradeshow and Networking Break
10:45 am - 12:00 pm Breakout Session Block 1
12:00 pm - 1:15 pm Tradeshow and Networking Lunch
1:15 pm - 2:30 pm Breakout Session Block 2
2:30 pm - 3:00 pm Tradeshow and Networking Break 
3:00 pm - 4:30 pm Final Session Block 
FILTER STREAMS:
OPEN TO ALL
LEADERSHIP
OPERATIONS
ASSET MANAGEMENT
RESET

9:00 AM - 10:15 AM

Opening Plenary

Welcome to the Lower Mainland RENT! We’ll start the day with breakfast and a traditional welcome, followed by remarks from BCNPHA CEO Jill Atkey and special guests.

 

Sponsored by 

Category

Open to All

When

5/14/2026 9:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Pacific Standard Time

10:15 AM - 10:45 AM

Tradeshow & Networking Break

Join your colleagues and make new connections while visiting our tradeshow.

Sponsored by 

Category

Open to All

When

5/14/2026 10:15 AM - 10:45 AM
Pacific Standard Time

10:45 AM - 12:00 PM

Development in a New Era

Join this conversation moderated by Alice Sundberg to hear from sector experts who are navigating non-traditional approaches to financing development in the non-profit housing sector.

Presented By:

Alice Sundberg | Alice Sundberg Consulting, Carla Guererra | Purpose Driven Development, Robert Brown | Sacha Investments, Scott Dutchak | Catalyst Community Development

Category

Leadership

Track

New Development
Financial Planning
Sector Capacity

When

5/14/2026 10:45 AM - 12:00 PM
Pacific Standard Time

Start Smart: Plan, Fund & Launch Your Next Energy Retrofit

The landscape of retrofits and rebates in social housing has grown in complexity. Federal, provincial, and utility program funds are available, but eligibility requirements can be complicated and vary based on the building, fuel and meter type, or potential GHG savings. It can be hard to know where to even start! In this session, a BCNPHA energy coach will break down how you can work with us to determine your building’s energy consumption, identify energy conservation measures and discuss rebate options. 

Presented By: 

Edward Beckett | BCNPHA, Maggie Myagmar | BCNPHA, Joy Parsons | Fair Haven Homes Society

Sponsored by 

Category

Asset Management

Track

Retrofits
Energy Efficiency
Financial Planning

When

5/14/2026 10:45 AM - 12:00 PM
Pacific Standard Time

SHINE: Pathways from Risk to Home

SHINE (Seniors Housing Information and Navigation Ease) is a transformative initiative impacting 10 communities across British Columbia. It focuses on building powerful cross-regional partnerships, creating a robust community of practice, sharing critical knowledge, and providing essential Housing Navigator Training. This session will delve into these core strategies and spark dynamic discussions on the pressing challenges faced by seniors, driving us toward actionable solutions.

Presented By:

Alison Silgardo | Seniors Services Society of BC

Category

Leadership
Operations

Track

Seniors
Inclusive Housing
Partnerships
Tenancy Issues

When

5/14/2026 10:45 AM - 12:00 PM
Pacific Standard Time

Beyond the Budget: Community Care & Advocating Together

The recent provincial budget delivered devastating cuts to BC's non-profit housing sector, affecting thousands of households in desperate need of affordable housing. This session holds space for feelings of grief and betrayal--and then talks about how we move forward together. Through honest acknowledgment and truth-telling, we'll examine the moment we’re in from two angles: the structural fight for a just housing system that cares for all people, and the liberatory work of caring for ourselves and each other. We'll explore what it looks like to move beyond competition, build collectively, and resource our work through collaboration - not scarcity.

Presented By: Stephanie Allen | Adinkra Strategies, Parker Johnson | Facilitation Coaching & Consulting

Category

Leadership

Track

Sector Capacity
Housing Affordability
Health/Wellness

When

5/14/2026 10:45 AM - 12:00 PM
Pacific Standard Time

Ask the Lawyers

Join a panel of lawyers and legal experts with experience in the non-profit housing sector. They'll welcome questions around the Residential Tenancy Act and how it impacts non-profit housing providers. This informative session will share context on the Act, as well as strategies for success throughout the arbitration process. 

Presented By: Erika Sagert | BCNPHA, Ripan Hans | Refresh Law, Fiona Fan | Haddock and Co., Maria Michouris | Haddock and Co.

Category

Leadership
Operations

Track

Tenancy Issues
Tenant Relations
Legal

When

5/14/2026 10:45 AM - 12:00 PM
Pacific Standard Time

Mental Health & Wellness: Doing Our Work Sustainably

Mental health and work are closely linked. In this session, we will explore mental health in the workplace. Together we will learn practical tools, tips and strategies for managing stress, preventing burnout and improving wellbeing. 

Presented By: Dawn Schell | University of Victoria

Category

Open to All

Track

Health/Wellness

When

5/14/2026 10:45 AM - 12:00 PM
Pacific Standard Time

12:00 PM - 1:15 PM

Networking Lunch and Tradeshow

Munch& Mingle! Enjoy a relaxing lunch dedicated to reconnecting and networking with colleagues from across the Lower Mainland.

Sponsored by 

Category

Open to All

When

5/14/2026 12:00 PM - 1:15 PM
Pacific Standard Time

1:15 PM - 2:30 PM

GAHP & DF-RTU’s: Decarbonization in Non-Profit Housing

This session highlights firsthand experiences from non‑profit housing societies that have implemented Gas Absorption Heat Pumps (GAHPs) and Dual Fuel Rooftop Units (DF-RTU’s) as part of their decarbonization and energy‑efficiency upgrades. Panelists from the Aboriginal Mothers Centre Society and Kiwanis North Shore will share their motivations for choosing these technologies, what they learned during design and installation, and how the technology is performing in real buildings. AHMA, BCNPHA, and FortisBC will provide information on available supports and incentives.

Presented By: Matthew Hoover | FortisBC, Shahed Shafazand | AHMA, Maggie Myagmar | BCNPHA

Sponsored by 

Category

Asset Management

Track

Retrofits
Energy Efficiency

When

5/14/2026 1:15 PM - 2:30 PM
Pacific Standard Time

Building Capacity for Growth: Systems & Strategies for Housing Providers

As small to mid-sized non-profit housing providers begin to grow, the transition from managing a handful of units to overseeing a larger, more complex portfolio can be challenging. Without the right systems, structures, and processes in place, growth can quickly become overwhelming and impact service quality, compliance, and tenant satisfaction.
This session is designed for organizations that are just starting out or actively scaling their housing operations. Participants will learn practical strategies to build internal capacity, implement effective systems, and create sustainable operational frameworks. From tenancy management, staffing structures, and data tracking, this session will provide real-world insights and tools that can be applied immediately.
Drawing on sector experience, we will explore common pitfalls, scalable solutions, and how to balance mission-driven work with operational efficiency. Whether you are managing 10 units or expanding to 200+, this session will help you lay a strong foundation for long-term success.

Presented By: Alita Tocher | M'Akola

Category

Operations

Track

Indigenous Housing

When

5/14/2026 1:15 PM - 2:30 PM
Pacific Standard Time

Reducing Risk: Smart Claims Strategies

In not-for-profit housing, risk isn’t just an abstract idea; it shows up in real situations, with real impact for you and your tenants. A slip and fall, water damage, a fire, or a theft... suddenly, your focus shifts from running day-to-day operations to managing something you never saw coming.
This session is a down-to-earth discussion on how to reduce the chances of claims and handle them when they happen. We’ll explore common risk areas, what good documentation looks like, ways to strengthen processes, and how to work well with your insurer and broker.
You’ll leave with practical steps to help protect your organization and your tenants.

Presented By: 

Bryan Woo | BCNPHA/Community Housing Coverage, Savannah Foo and Lisa Strabac | Community Housing Coverage

Category

Leadership
Operations

Track

Financial Planning

When

5/14/2026 1:15 PM - 2:30 PM
Pacific Standard Time

Facilitated Roundtables

Join our facilitated discussion session! We'll break off into three groups - Property Managers, Operators, and Leaders, and have some facilitated conversations related to issues that impact your specific areas of work. Please select one topic to join:

Property Manager Forum: Topics will be focused on issues related to property management in the non-profit housing sector.

Operators Forum: Topics will be focused on operational issues, often impacting frontline staff.

Leaders Forum: Topics will be focused on big picture leadership issues, often impacting managers or executives.

Sponsored by 

 

Category

Open to All

When

5/14/2026 1:15 PM - 2:30 PM
Pacific Standard Time

2:30 PM - 3:00 PM

Tradeshow & Networking Break

Join your colleagues and make new connections while visiting our trade show during the last networking break of the day.

Sponsored by 

Category

Open to All

When

5/14/2026 2:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Pacific Standard Time

3:00 PM - 4:30 PM

From Data to Narrative: Housing Affordability in the Lower Mainland

Join researcher Marleen Morris from the Community Development Institute as she outlines data related to housing stock and affordability of key communities in and around the Lower Mainland, such as Vancouver, Surrey, Delta, Whistler, Squamish, Mission, and more.

Presented By: 

Marleen Morris | Community Development Institute

Category

Leadership

Track

Regional Issues
Research/Policy

When

5/14/2026 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Pacific Standard Time

Practical Capital Planning for Non-Profit Housing Providers

For housing providers, understanding the current state of their properties through building condition assessments is vital to sound capital planning. This session will show how to work with assessors to get a clear picture of your building’s needs, then translate those findings into a capital plan that ensures both immediate and long-term sustainability. Practical advice on managing budgets, funding, and project prioritization will also be shared. For housing providers, strong capital planning starts with understanding asset condition. This session provides a high-level overview of Building Condition Assessments, how assessment data informs capital plans, and how the Facility Condition Index (FCI) supports investment prioritization. The presentation will include a brief demonstration of Asset Planner software, showing how data can be transformed into clear, actionable capital strategies.

Presented By:

Marina Moura | BCNPHA, Allison Paquet | BCNPHA

Sponsored by 

Category

Asset Management

Track

Capital Planning
Energy Efficiency
Financial Planning

When

5/14/2026 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Pacific Standard Time

Heat and Wildfire Smoke Ready Housing: Practical Solutions

As extreme heat and wildfire smoke become more frequent, housing providers play a critical role in protecting tenant health. This session explores how heat waves and wildfire smoke impact health inside buildings, as well as practical strategies to reduce heat exposure and improve indoor air quality. Learn how to implement targeted retrofits (such as shading, cooling, and ventilation improvements) alongside quick, scalable solutions like portable air cleaners and cooling spaces. We’ll share real-world examples, funding considerations, and actionable steps you can take now to create safer, more resilient housing this summer or the years ahead.

Presented By: Meghan Straight | Vancouver Coastal Health, Edward Beckett | BCNPHA

Category

Operations
Asset Management

Track

Risk Mitigation
Health/Wellness
Regional Issues

When

5/14/2026 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Pacific Standard Time

Harnessing Tech for Non-Profit Operators

A 2024 report identified a significant digital skills gap across the non-profit sector. As technology evolves, resource-strapped organizations have fallen behind — and the operational cost is real. The right tech stack, properly connected, can free up time and money for the work that matters.
This session covers how to identify processes worth automating, explores tools relevant to housing providers, and works through real examples in small group discussions.

Presented By: James Struthers | macushlaw

Sponsored by 

Category

Operations
Leadership

Track

Information Technology
Sector Capacity

When

5/14/2026 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Pacific Standard Time

Independent Housing: Beyond the Front Door

Independent housing is not just about living alone; it is about having a home, meaningful support, and a sense of belonging. This session explores how independence for people with developmental disabilities requires intentional design, coordinated partnerships, and community connection. Drawing on L’Arche Greater Vancouver’s recent housing development, we will share lessons learned, system navigation realities, and how community-integrated models can support long-term stability. Join us to consider how housing providers and support organizations can work together to build independence that truly lasts.

Presented By:

FeiFei Peng | L' Arche Greater Vancouver, Karen Denney and Angie Chorney | Community Living BC

Sponsored by 

Category

Operations

Track

Inclusive Housing
Tenant Relations

When

5/14/2026 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Pacific Standard Time

Managing Panic: Board Roles in a Funding (or other) Crisis

All non-profits navigate funding sustainability issues. But what happens when there is an expected crisis related to funding? This could include government policy change, sponsor retraction, major donor mood shift, or even an unknown and percolating financial issue the Board was unaware of - when it hits, everyone scrambles. And often in different directions. Most of us run to solutions, smacking Band-Aids on the flood of uncertainty. This session will offer steps a board can and should take in these moments that will mitigate the impacts without undermining the staff team or exacerbating the short and long-term impacts. It centers on purpose-driven leadership.

Presented By: Alison Brewin | Alison Brewin Consulting

Category

Leadership

Track

Financial Planning
New Development
Board Governance

When

5/14/2026 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Pacific Standard Time