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 Vision

A thriving non-profit housing sector that promotes and facilitates safe, affordable, inclusive, accessible and dignified housing for all Nova Scotians.

Our Mission

Our mission is to strengthen and unite the community housing sector through advocacy, collaboration, and capacity-building. Empowering members to grow and scale up the impact of their work.

Our Goal

Leading the sector in adding 10,000 new non-profit housing units by 2035. While the goal of delivering 10,000 non-profit housing units by 2035 may seem ambitious, it represents a strategic investment in the province’s economic stability, public health, and social cohesion. Above all, it reflects a strong commitment to recognizing housing as a fundamental right for all Nova Scotians.

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.

Operational and governance excellence to help members grow and thrive.

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

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Meet Our Team

Lisa Harrison, (she/her), Executive Director

Born in Antigonish, Lisa has had a varied career on both sides of the Atlantic. She trained as a graphic designer at NSCAD, and worked for IT company Core Networks in Halifax until she moved to London, UK in 2001. Here she began her work with organizations focused on people’s wellbeing, including a busy day centre for unhoused people and a national association for supported housing. In 2017, Lisa returned to Nova Scotia with her husband to be closer to her family and the ocean. After leadership roles at the Atlantic Publishers Marketing Association, Veith House and Brunswick Street Mission, she has recently joined the NSNPHA and looks forward to championing its mission to strengthen and unite the community housing sector in Nova Scotia.

Devan Bell, (she/her), Capacity Building and Programs Coordinator

Devan holds a Bachelor of Science in Geography from the University of Victoria and a Master of Planning from Dalhousie University. She brings experience in planning research and community development practice, with a focus on participatory, community-driven approaches. Her background in non-profit and academic work includes collaboration with organizations in both local and international contexts. At NSNPHA, she works alongside member organizations to support the advancement of sustainable, affordable housing solutions across Nova Scotia.

Adrian Surette (he/him), Membership and Operations Coordinator

Adrian is a Nova Scotia-born Acadian with a Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing from Saint Mary’s University, driven by a passion for problem-solving and creating solutions. His diverse experience including roles as a Community Economic Development Manager, Operations Manager, Bilingual Insurance Advisor, and Commercial Lobster Fisherman, has shaped his adaptability and strong work ethic. Fluent in English and French, he has built an expansive network of contacts and brings a unique blend of skills to every role. One of his greatest strengths is his ability to connect with people. In a world where information is readily available, forming genuine relationships is what truly sets a professional apart. Whether managing projects, engaging stakeholders, or collaborating with a team, he leads with empathy, kindness, and humility, recognizing the expertise of others and creating meaningful connections.

Meet Our Board

Michael Kabalen (he/him)

Chair
Affordable Housing Association of Nova Scotia

Courtney Ingraham

Treasurer
Tawaak Housing

Mitchell Archibald

Secretary
Student Housing NS

Tina Feth

Director
Northwood

Rob Morris

Director
Phoenix Youth Programs

Shekara Grant

Director
Weymouth Falls Housing Coalition

Erika Shea

Director
New Dawn Enterprises

Chris Cotton

Director
Shelter Nova Scotia

Lindell Smith

Director
Nova Scotia Black Community Housing Council

Stephan Richard

Director
Community Housing Transformation Center

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), the Province of Nova Scotia Department of Growth and Development and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), however, the views expressed are the personal views of the author and the Centre and the Department accept no responsibility for them.