Housing Program Manager

About the Wachiay Friendship Centre

Wachiay is a Cree word for “welcome.” At Wachiay Friendship Centre, we seek to welcome every member of our community and provide services reflective of the needs of urban Indigenous peoples and all those experiencing inequity.

We offer a wide range of programming rooted in Indigenous cultural teachings, including Elders, youth, and family programs, employment and life skills training, mental health and anti-violence programming, Clever Raven Aboriginal Headstart daycare, and more. We do community outreach and provide material support for those who are unhoused or facing poverty. We also provide the Comox Valley’s only Family Law and Poverty Law Advocacy programs. These varied services are always evolving to meet the needs of local peoples.

With these services, we aim to improve the holistic wellbeing of individuals, decrease social isolation, and strengthen our communities. Our many programs based in the Friendship Centre act as a web of support to hold up individuals and families from all walks of life, and we extend this network to the diverse peoples of north-eastern Vancouver Island and beyond.

For more information, please visit our website: wachiay.org/

For more information about Courtenay, B.C., please visit: discovervancouverisland.com/

About the Opportunity

Wachiay Friendship Centre is looking for a full-time Housing Program Manager based in Courtenay, B.C.

Reporting to the Program Director, you will play a pivotal role in leading the delivery, administration, and continuous improvement of Wachiay’s housing-related programs while supervising key frontline staff and ensuring services remain culturally safe, responsive, and accountable.

In this position, you will be primarily responsible for leading the day-to-day operations of Wachiay’s housing programs, including financial oversight, funder reporting, team leadership, and building strong partnerships to support individuals and families experiencing housing instability. This newly revised role reflects Wachiay Friendship Centre’s evolving organizational goals and long-term vision for community growth and sustainability. The position offers a unique opportunity for professional growth into executive leadership, project management, and economic development initiatives as the organization continues to expand its impact and strategic priorities.

More specifically, your responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Leading the administration and delivery of housing programs, including CBCHB and Reaching Home, in alignment with funding agreements and service standards
• Overseeing housing supports, financial assistance, and program transitions to ensure eligible participants receive timely, appropriate, and culturally safe services
• Managing program budgets, financial tracking, reporting, audits, and funding compliance requirements
• Supervising, mentoring, and supporting the Community Outreach Worker and Helping Hands Coordinator to ensure strong service delivery and team alignment
• Monitoring program outcomes, maintaining accurate records, and ensuring data is entered into required systems and databases within deadlines
• Supporting client assessments, housing applications, advocacy, and follow-up processes to help individuals secure and maintain stable housing
• Building and maintaining relationships with community partners, landlords, funders, and service providers to strengthen program impact and opportunities
• Representing Wachiay in housing-related advocacy, collaboration, and partnership initiatives at the community, regional, and broader sector level

About You

To qualify, you will need 3+ years of experience in housing program administration or community-based programming supporting vulnerable populations , including experience supervising staff, managing program budgets, and completing funder reporting . While post-secondary education in a related field such as social services, Indigenous studies, or non-profit management is considered an asset, an equivalent combination of lived experience and professional experience will be equally valued.

Additionally, the following skills and background will be highly valued:

• Experience leading or coordinating projects
• Experience administering housing programs and managing funding agreements, reporting, and compliance
• Strong understanding of homelessness, housing instability, and related social factors
• Experience working with Indigenous communities or organizations
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with community partners, funders, and service providers
• Experience supervising, mentoring, and supporting staff in a collaborative team environment
• Financial management experience, including budgeting and program-level oversight
• Familiarity with housing-related databases, reporting systems, and government funding structures (e.g., BC Housing, CMHC)
• Knowledge of the broader funding, policy, and political landscape impacting housing and community programs

As our ideal candidate, you bring strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, along with the ability to communicate effectively across diverse groups. You are adaptable, collaborative, and grounded in a trauma-informed, culturally respectful approach. You bring humility and curiosity to your work, with a willingness to learn, ask questions, and step into a complex role with confidence. You are equally comfortable working independently and as part of a team, and you approach challenges with sound judgment and a solutions-focused mindset.

This is a unique opportunity for a values-driven professional who is ready to step into a meaningful leadership role, build on established relationships, and contribute to strengthening housing supports for the community.

Note: Preference will be given to applicants who have First Nation or Indigenous ancestry.

About the Benefits

Compensation based on skills and experience is a competitive annual salary of $60,000 – $75,000+, negotiable dependent on experience , and a host of excellent benefits including:

• Extended health benefits
• 4 weeks of vacation
• Relocation assistance for the right candidate
• A supportive, purpose-driven workplace culture focused on community impact
• Opportunities to contribute to meaningful initiatives serving the local Indigenous community
• A role located in beautiful Courtenay, BC, offering a high quality of life and direct connection to Vancouver Island’s cultural and natural landscape

If you share our values and have the skills necessary to bring success to the role, then we invite you to apply today !