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

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: trish@nsnpha.com

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

Devan holds a Bachelor of Science in Geography from the University of Victoria and is a graduate of the Master of Planning program at Dalhousie University, where she continues to work as a research assistant. Devan is interested in participatory community building initiatives and has worked with community-based organizations both internationally and at home. She is excited to join the NSNPHA and to work with member organizations towards the development of sustainable, affordable housing options.

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

Nick Russell

Chairperson
Dartmouth Housing

Michael Kabalen (he/him)

Vice-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

Cheryl Deveaux-McDaniel

Director
Strait Richmond Housing Matters Coalition

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.