ABOUT
Who We Are
AAHS is passionate about providing rental apartments so that people with low incomes benefit from stable, affordable, comfortable homes. We help tenants access community and government programs, and contribute to creating caring communities. Our aim is that each tenant is able to thrive and be proud to call AAHS home.
Our first initiative, Riverside Estates, was built in two phases opening in March 2017 and October 2018. Our second housing complex, Appleseed Court, opened in January 2022. In addition, a two-unit home was donated to AAHS in 2023.
OUR VISION
By 2029, the Antigonish Affordable Housing Society will triple the number of affordable environmentally, socially, and financially sustainable homes it provides.
OUR MISSION
The Antigonish Affordable Housing Society creates affordable housing solutions.
AAHS is committed to environmental, social and financial sustainability.
We construct homes that have a low environmental footprint by installing heat pumps, using solar power, making sure our buildings are well sealed, and seeking lower impact construction methods.
We provide space for tenants to gather, facilitate community-building among tenants, support tenants’ access to government and community services, and ensure opportunities for tenants to influence AAHS initiatives and practices.
We manage AAHS organizationally, including our properties, with the goal of being financially sustainable well into the future.
OUR VALUES
- Treating people with dignity, respect and compassion.
- Striving for equity, inclusion and diversity.
- Being accountable, transparent and trustworthy.
- Learning and changing as an organization.
- Partnering and collaborating with others.
OUR PRIORITIES
To generate affordable housing solutions; to strengthen government relations; to communicate clearly and frequently; to partner and collaborate with like-minded organizations; to improve our organization.
AAHS History
In the 1990s, individuals in Antigonish became concerned that, as a result of mounting poverty, affording housing was increasingly challenging for local residents living on lower incomes. In 1993, the Society for Affordable Community Housing was established with support from the Antigonish Women’s Resource Centre and the Sisters of St. Martha. The society undertook to raise local awareness about the need for affordable housing. Several videos were produced and affordable housing models were explored. The society tried repeatedly to secure provincial funding to create affordable housing. In 2001, the Society renamed itself as Antigonish Affordable Housing Society. Without being able to obtain funding, the society ceased meeting and activities by the mid-aughts.
In 2011, the Antigonish Poverty Reduction Coalition’s 5-Year Action Plan was agreed upon. The Coalition facilitated the re-establishment of a committee to address affordable housing and also initiatives that created the local Community Transit Society, Food Security Association, and Emergency Fuel Fund.
By 2014, the society was re-registered with NS Joint Stocks and became a Canadian charity in the name of the Antigonish Affordable Housing Society. From its inception, AAHS envisioned having sufficient community-supported affordable housing available in Antigonish Town and County, and that this housing be environmentally, financially and socially sustainable. Key to the society’s early growth were a substantial donation and an interest free loan from the Sisters of St. Martha. These allowed AAHS to organizationally evolve, develop support from all levels of government, and build four affordable housing units – as a proof-concept as well as new homes.
AAHS Today
AAHS is a non-profit charitable organization run by a volunteer board of directors. Our catchment area is the Town and County of Antigonish, Nova Scotia, a small town and rural district. Our board governs and manages our organization, properties and activities. Committed volunteers contribute a wealth of skills, expertise and numerous hours.
AAHS currently owns and manages 28 occupied units. Each apartment complex includes a community room and gardens. Another 17 homes are under construction. We are working with generous donors to acquire land near the edge of town on which we will build 50 plus units. More than ¼ of our apartments are accessible. Our apartments are rented for at least 21% below the Provincial Government’s definition of local market rentals. Government is partnering with AAHS to ensure sufficient funding to build these planned new homes.
Tenants include individuals, single- and dual-parent families, African Nova Scotians, individuals with disabilities, immigrants, Indigenous People, and have ranged in age from infants to 90-plus years.
Tenants explain that freeing up their finances has improved their quality of life and offered new opportunities. They report gaining stability and community. Tenants say their well being has been improved by security, better air quality, and safe access to the outdoors.
AAHS is thankful to many long standing partners and funders. Locally, the Sisters of St Martha, the Town of Antigonish and the Municipality of the County of Antigonish help create opportunities and provide financial contributions. Local businesses have offered pro bono, contracted services and direct financial support. The community members have been extremely supportive both financially and volunteering their time with us.
AAHS collaborates with others interested in reducing the local need for affordable housing. We actively explore new ways to develop community-supported, nonprofit housing in Nova Scotia, especially in rural areas. We are a founding member of the NS NonProfit Housing Association, a member of several coalitions and national organizations, and are frequently called upon to offer advice to housing-focused community organizations.
Board of Directors
AAHS is governed by an active board of directors. The volunteer directors govern AAHS and are responsible for ensuring that decisions fulfill our organizational mission, vision and values. As a working board, the directors also manage the day-to-day operations of AAHS. Our committees recommend decisions to the board, and lead the implementation of most activities.
Colleen Cameron
Board Chair
Fundraising, grant-writing & events committee chair. Organic blueberry farmer; retired nurse-community development educator.
Pauline MacIntosh
Board Vice-Chair
Program staff (adult education and community development), Coady Institute, StFX University.
Connie Clement
Secretary
Communications committee chair. Retired public health policy, health equity and women’s health specialist.
Mary Oxner
Treasurer
Professor, Faculty of Business, StFX University
Bruce Dow
Building Committee Chair
Retired Management Consultant
Susie Doucet
Co-chair Tenant Community Building Committee
MSW; Community Navigator, Community Navigation & Physician Retention Services Association
Brendan Roberts
Governance Committee Chair
Chair, StFX Student Union; StFX student
Reema Fuller
Member at Large
Senior Director, artvest
Tiffany Hargreaves
Member at large
Psychologist
Jiying Sun
Member at large
Urban planner
Juanita Pelly
Town of Antigonish appointee
Councilor, Town of Antigonish; staff, Sunflower Natural Health
Maria van Vonderen
Chair Tenant Selection Committee
Retired registered nurse; Co-Executive Director, Canadian Association for Community Living Antigonish
Adam Baden-Clay
County of Antigonish appointee
Councilor, Municipality of the County of Antigonish; Coady Institute, Program teaching staff
Committees
Executive Committee, made up of the board’s elected officers, assists the board in managing the organization, especially regarding time-limited and major or confidential issues. Government Relations Sub-Committee provides guidance and implements actions to strengthen partnerships with governments.
Human Resources Committee provides oversight of staff selection, compensation and significant human resources issues.
Communications Committee leads the Society’s promotion, publicity and communications products.
Building Committee leads property maintenance of existing units; land acquisition; planning and construction of new units.
Finance Committee provides oversight for effective financial management and assurance, and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
Tenant Community Building Committee leads the Society’s commitment towards social responsibility to tenants by contributing to building a sense of community with and among tenants.
Fundraising, Event and Proposal-Writing Committee leads fundraising, including related event planning, and develops grants proposals.
Governance Committee ensures the Society has systems in place to fulfill our vision and mission, that AAHS embodies its values and complies with legal obligations and accountability. Leads volunteer recruitment and retention.
Tenant Selection Committee provides oversight of promoting vacancies, screening and selecting tenants. Tenant Selection Sub-Committee screens applications, interviews selected applicants, does reference checks and recommends individuals to be invited to become tenants to the Tenant Selection Committee.
Annual Reports
Click on the links below to view any of our Annual Reports in PDF format.
Our Staff
AAHS employs one full-time, permanent employee: a combined community navigator / property manager. Most often called the community navigator, our staff person works with tenants to turn housing units into homes. The navigator problem solves with tenants and promotes government and community services and opportunities. They help organize social and educational events, and communicate tenant concerns to committees and the board. Working with the Building Committee and contractors they help keep the properties in good repair.
Jaime Smith is AAHS’s community navigator. Born and raised in Antigonish, Jaime graduated from St. Francis Xavier University, majoring in sociology. Prior to joining AAHS in 2021, Jaime worked or volunteered for the Naomi Society, Kids First and St. James Church Hot Meal Program. To reach Jaime, call 902 318-3732 or email.
AAHS also hires temporary employees, often funded by grants. For the past several summers we have employed a community gardens facilitator/coordinator in partnership with the Antigonish Food Security Association. A digital change coordinator worked for AAHS in 2023 – 2024.
Meet Jaime Smith, AAHS Community Navigator.
Making a Difference
In 2022 and 2023, the Antigonish Affordable Housing Society (AAHS) commissioned a developmental evaluation. Our evaluation provides a look at how our organization is functioning and progressing. The funder, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, was especially interested in learning about the influence of AAHS’s three-pronged mission that emphasizes social, environmental and financial sustainability, and whether this model offers social benefits to tenants. The independent evaluator, Sarah Bowen (PhD), undertook 34 confidential individual interviews with tenants, current and past board members, and Antigonish and area community and sector representatives. LINK TO INFOGRAPHIC.
Tenants see many advantages to living at Riverside or Appleseed: the quality of housing, personal health and safety, affordability, stability, financial benefits, the experience of community, and the social supports provided. Some tenants have been able to go back to school and earn credentials. Others shared examples of tenants helping each other when needed. Some tenants, however, wanted more say in the tenant selection process, therefore a tenant has since joined the section committee. Some tenants talked about the stigma they experienced living in a building identified as affordable housing.
The AAHS’s commitment to environmental sustainability has gained buy-in over time. Many tenants did not know about our environmental commitment before moving into their units; however, they came to see and appreciate the economic savings of heat pumps and solar panels, noting this reduced their stress levels and improved their personal health. Similarly, some past and present board members came to appreciate the environmental focus more deeply once they also saw the economic savings.
AAHS is held in high regard by our community partners, as well as by current and past board members. In their comments about AAHS they said:
“I really can’t say enough good things,” “Their image and their relationship in community is really positive and has a lot of legitimacy.” We were described as “community champions and community builders,” “collaborative and willing to partner on projects,” and “tremendous advocates.” Our affordable apartments were described as “awesome, well-designed, energy efficient, just really nice … some of the nicest places in town” and “very modern, well-kept, bright, spacious, well-designed, great units.” (2023, evaluation)
As AAHS increases the number of apartments it is building and managing, some interviewees expressed concern about AAHS’s organizational sustainability given our very high reliance on volunteers. Some interviewees suggested AAHS keep balancing between building additional housing units, undertaking organizational change, and pursuing broader education and policy influence.
Interviews indicated support for AAHS’ commitment to a three-pronged vision of economic, environmental and social sustainability. These aims are seen as overlapping and mutually supportive. Board members and community and sector partners made strong links between environmental actions, housing affordability, and organizational financial sustainability.
