Mavis McMullen Housing Society (MMHS) is a non-profit charitable organization established in 1986 and incorporated in 1987. We offer stable, affordable, and independent housing to low-income women and their families living with multiple challenges.

what we value

Our mission

To provide stable affordable housing for low-income women of Downtown Eastside and East Vancouver, those with children, disabled women and older women – housing in which social justice, human rights and a culture of safety and wellbeing are actively promoted by adhering to the values of inclusivity and diversity, and respecting the autonomy of everyone involved, with the belief that housing is a right of all people.

what we value

How we do it

Mavis McMullen Housing Society (MMHS) operates two buildings, Mavis McMullen Place and Haley Place, providing independent housing to approximately 134 tenants. The two buildings are operated and maintained by four staff members, and the operations are overseen by a volunteer Board of Directors. At MMHS, the primary leaseholder is always a woman, which allows our tenants to make decisions about their relationships without the fear of becoming homeless. The Staff and Board of MMHS strive to ensure that the resources and support we offer reach every woman in that house.

Our priority is to treat every woman with respect and dignity, acknowledging their autonomy, with awareness that each woman has specific needs based on their unique histories, beliefs, strengths and challenges. We facilitate opportunities for women to engage with the community and the various available services and supports. We seek to help the women we house overcome the persistent barriers they are faced with.

meet us

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Our Supporters

Government Funders
Grant Funding Support


More information coming soon!

Community Partners


your contributions
Your time and donations help us maintain our buildings to keep them safe and healthy and to build community through programs and events.
Reconciliation

Mavis McMullen Housing Society Reconciliation Statement

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada issued its final report on December 18, 2015. Their report details the history of colonization and its direct and inter-generational impacts on Indigenous peoples across Canada. Their 94 Calls to Action include several specific calls for organizations, including commitments to building respectful relationships, ensuring that Indigenous people have equitable access to jobs, training and education opportunities, and providing education for all staff on the history of Indigenous peoples, including the history and legacy of residential schools.

Mavis McMullen Housing Society (MMHS) commits to the ongoing work of improving our capacity to serve Indigenous Peoples in our buildings. We commit to working towards creating more equitable spaces for Indigenous staff, partners, and community members. We call for an end to the systemic inequities faced by Indigenous communities. We stand for Truth and Reconciliation.

As an organization with an affordable housing mandate, MMHS is committed to working towards the following goals:

  • Providing equitable access to safe, maintained and affordable housing
  • Regular review of our lease, rules, policies and procedures to ensure that our practises are fair, equitable and respectful to Indigenous Peoples
  • Seeking funding to provide additional programming that supports our Indigenous families in the work of healing and keeping families together

As an employer, MMHS is committed to:

  • Ensuring that Indigenous people have equitable access to jobs and volunteer board positions, as positions open. We commit to working toward building a greater Indigenous presence in both management and governance, to better represent the communities we serve
  • Provide education for management and staff on the history of Aboriginal peoples, including the history and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Aboriginal rights, Indigenous law, and Aboriginal–Crown relations. This will require skills based training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism

MMHS is committed to growing our relationships with Indigenous organizations and supporting their work in our communities. We will work with Indigenous communities and organizations as partners to find opportunities to have an active presence where it is desired by those organizations and communities.

This reconciliation statement is considered a working document that will evolve with increased understanding of Indigenous peoples and how our organization can serve them. These commitments and our work take place throughout the ancestral lands and unceded territories of 198 distinct First Nations in British Columbia. Our offices are located on the territories of the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), Səl̓ílwətaʔ (Tsleil-Waututh), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) peoples.