About Us
Our Story
The Nova Scotia Non-Profit Housing Association (NSNPHA) was founded in 2023 after two years of extensive consultations with hundreds of people. The NSNPHA is dedicated to supporting, growing, and mobilizing the non-profit housing sector. The association is a non-profit, membership-based organization governed by a diverse board of directors. The NSNPHA forms strategic partnerships and centralizes people, resources, and activity to support the work of the non-profit housing sector. We are a voice for the non-profit housing sector in Nova Scotia at the provincial and national levels.
Our Mission
The Nova Scotia Non-Profit Housing Association supports the mobilization, empowerment, growth and sustainability of the Nova Scotia’s non-profit housing providers and the informal housing groups, networks, and coalitions that support their work.
Our Values
Hundreds of Nova Scotians invested in the non-profit housing sector contributed to the development of the NSNPHA’s values:
Housing as a human right, to ensure everyone has a safe accessible, affordable place to live.
Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and inclusion including first voice, and decolonization in the community-housing sector.
Environmentally sustainable non-profit housing.
Equitable access and opportunity for both rural and urban community housing organizations.
Identifying and addressing racism and stigma that limits access to appropriate housing.
Providing navigation and support services to people in housing need.
Our Organizational Model
The NSNPHA’s organizational model was developed in consultation with over 100 people aligned with the non-profit housing sector using a community-first, decolonized approach.
Download full description of Organizational Model
Meet Our Team
Trish McCourt (she/her), Executive Director of the NS Non-Profit Housing Association
With a decade of experience providing leadership in the non-profit sector, Trish has dedicated her career to community development and social justice advocacy. Trish is a registered social worker who has traveled Canada from coast to coast to coast, living in six provinces and territories, but has always considered Nova Scotia home. In addition to her social work degree from Dalhousie University School of Social Work, she has been awarded a degree from Saint Mary’s University and certificate from the Nova Scotia Community College. Over the past four years, Trish has led as an executive director at a non-profit women’s center in Southwest Nova Scotia, where her collaborative approach addressed a myriad of women’s issues, including housing challenges. Trish believes housing is a human right. She is dedicated to ensuring rural and urban perspectives and the voices of all communities are included in housing solutions. Trish’s background in the non-profit sector and her unwavering commitment to fostering inclusive communities align perfectly with our organization’s mission. Contact Trish: [email protected]
Olúfọlákẹ́ Matuluko (she/her), Program & Membership Coordinator
Fọlákẹ́ is an accomplished professional dedicated to driving positive social impact, with a rich background in the non-profit sector. She brings a unique blend of expertise in project management and a passion for community development to the NSNPHA.
Throughout her career in the non-profit sector, Fọlákẹ́ has played pivotal roles in implementing and managing impactful projects. As a Certified Associate of Project Management (CAPM), Fọlákẹ́ is a knowledgeable and skilled project manager. While managing projects she uses her agility and adaptability in leading teams through iterative and collaborative frameworks. She is also a Certified Scrum Master. Fọlákẹ́ has successfully overseen initiatives aimed at improving the lives of diverse communities, showcasing her ability to align strategy with social justice goals. Fọlákẹ́ enjoys travelling, playing volleyball, and working in roles that connect people to opportunities. She is excited to apply her skills to support the non-profit housing sector!
Meet Our Board
Aiden Kivisto (he/him)
Board Chair
YMCA of Cumberland
Janet Simm
First Vice-Chair
Northwood
Nick Russell
Second Vice Chair
Dartmouth Housing
Leslay Harris
Treasurer
Tawaak Housing
Mitchell Archibald
Secretary
Student Housing NS
Dolly Williams
Director
African Nova Scotian Road to Economic Prosperity
Mary Desmond (she/her)
Director
Antigonish Guysborough Black Housing Association
Michael Kabalen (he/him)
Director
Affordable Housing Association of Nova Scotia
Bruce Holland
Director
Spryfield Social Enterprise and Affordable Housing Society
Cheryl Deveaux-McDaniel
Director
Strait Richmond Housing Matters Coalition
Mel Sturk (she/her)
Director
Phoenix Youth Programs
Nicole Wright (she/her)
Director
Elizabeth Fry Society
The Nova Scotia Non-Profit Housing Association received funding from the Community Housing Transformation Centre (the Centre) and the Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing (the Department), however, the views expressed are the personal views of the author and the Centre and the Department accept no responsibility for them.