Linda E. Ross

We believe strong relationships are built from the foundation up.

We have over 20 years of experience in Property Management as well as an extensive background in the development of multi million dollar townhouse sites, new single family homes, and in the design, renovation, and restoration of existing homes. We also do extensive work across Canada as consultants for the many aspects of developing and managing Housing.

Linda E. Ross, Our Managing Broker

Everything starts with planning »

plans

Services

Our Mission

To provide Ethical Property Management Services for commercial and residential properties, which utilize:

  • Up to date technology
  • Environmentally respectful products and practices
  • Sound management practices that are sensitive to the needs of the tenants while providing the owners with economic benefit
  • Best business practices to keep operating costs reasonable while maintaining buildings in the best possible condition for long term sustainability
  • Short and long term financial planning to ensure owners are prepared for any eventuality

“Sacred space is a place where human beings find a manifestation of divine power, where they experience a sense of connected to the universe. There in some special way, spirit is present to them.”

Services offered

  • Housing Management consultant – all aspects
  • Development Consultant – new construction and renovations
  • Administrative systems development including policies and procedures
  • Proposal Writer
  • Mediation and advocacy – housing related issues
  • Workshops, presentations and public hearings
  • Governance presentations
  • Development of Housing Authorities
  • Human Resource development
  • Strategic Planning and Comprehensive Community Planning

Who should use our services?

  • Aboriginal groups – on and off reserve
  • Federal. Provincial, Territorial and Municipal Governments
  • Non profit Housing Societies
  • Co ops
  • Residential and Commercial owners

Gimme Shelter©

Linda E. Ross Property Management offers two courses under its Gimme Shelter© series of workshops:

  • A Course to Prepare for Home Rental or Ownership On First Nations’ Lands ©
  • A Course to Train Housing Managers On First Nations’ Lands ©

The course outlines for each of these workshops are as follows:

A Course to Prepare for Home Rental Or
Ownership On First Nations’ Lands

Although this course is specifically designed for First Nations Members living On Reserve/Settlement/Treaty Lands, there are tips for those moving to Urban or Rural settings.

  • Part 1: Introduction and Welcome/Historical Impacts on Housing Today
  • Part 2: Honouring Our Homes: What Constitutes a Good Tenant/Home Owner
  • Part 3: Money Smarts: Basic Budgeting and Planning
  • Part 4: Preparing to Rent or Own On First Nations Lands
  • Part 5: How to Maintain Your Housing
  • Part 6: Conflict Resolution

For Fee structure and more detailed information

please call: 250 217-0585 Or e-mail: linda@lindaeross.ca


A Course to Train Housing Managers
on First Nations’ Lands

Although this course is specifically designed for Housing Managers working on Reserve/Settlement/Treaty Lands, it can be adapted for Housing Managers working in Urban Native Housing Societies.
This course is also suitable for all Housing staff, Housing Committee Members and Council Members.

    • Part 1: Introduction and Welcome/Historical Impacts on Housing Today: Tenures of Housing Built Under Different Programs and Housing Manager Responsibilities
    • Part 2: Financial Management
      • Capital planning;
      • Replacement Reserve Calculations;
      • Balanced Operating Budgets;
      • Interim Shelter Agreements;
      • Home Maintenance Agreements – Financial;
      • Insurance;
      • Arrears Management.
    • Part 3: Asset Management
      • Construction Management;
      • Maintenance Management;
      • Repairs and Renovations;
      • Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program;
      • Replacement Reserve and Life Cycle Planning.
    • Part 4: Policy Development/Procedures and Forms
    • Part 5: Human Resource Management
    • Part 6: Tenant Relationship Building
      • Conflict Resolution;
      • Role of the Housing Committee;
      • Tenant Education/Training.

Purpose:

Property Management is at the core of everything Housing Managers do. Maintaining high quality housing stock is the major goal of any Housing Manager. Everything a Housing Manager does, from writing proposals, to managing construction programs, to counselling Tenants, and advising decision makers, should result in better housing conditions for the First Nation.

A Housing Manager’s first responsibility is to ensure that the First Nation’s investment in its housing stock and assets is maintained or enhanced. At the same time, a Housing Manager, must provide the highest level of service possible to the Tenants and users of that property with the funds and resources available.

For Fee structure and more detailed information

please call: 250 217-0585 Or e-mail: linda@lindaeross.ca 

As of March 2019, over 200 First Nations’ Members have graduated so far from the “A Course to prepare for Home Rental Or Ownership on First Nations’ Lands” and that over 50 Housing managers have graduated from the “Course to Train Housing Managers on First Nations’ Lands”.

Gimme Shelter has also graduated 3 Trainers that are now able to provide the Gimme Shelter training to their own First Nation.

Participating Nations, so far, include:

Tsawwassen First Nation
Snuneymuxw First Nation
Seine River First Nation
Stu’minus First Nation
Kwadacha Nation
Scia’new First Nation
Hesquiaht
Ehattesaht
Nuchatlaht
Tseshaht
Dididaht
Mohachaht/Muchalaht

*NTC Tribal Council for the Housing Managers’ Course and co ordination of the Gimme Shelter Course for Home Rental or Ownership for their Member Nations.

 

Quotes:

“This workshop makes me so proud that First Nations are all learning together. Thanks so much for coming to our Nation.” – Elder

“Great course for young adults just starting to move out from home.” – Participant

“This course was very helpful in teaching people how to maintain and the basics of housing. This should continue for sure.” – Participant

Projects


  • Kwadacha Nation

    The Kwadacha Nation (Tsek’ene) is a proud and dynamic Nation located 570 km North of Prince George, British Columbia, at the confluence of the Fox, the Kwadacha, and Finlay rivers in the Rocky Mountain Trench.
    Learn More


  • Binche Keyoh First Nation

    The Binche Keyoh First Nation is located 25km from Fort St. James, British Columbia, at the mouth of the Binche River that drains the Binche Lake into Stuart Lake.
    Learn More


  • Scia’new First Nation (Beecher Bay) Camper Relocation

    Linda E. Property Management Inc. (LER), on the behalf of the Scia’new First Nation, assisted in the relocation of all of the month to month campers who were occupying the campground on the Scia’new Nation’s lands by:
    Learn More


  • Aboriginal Housing Management Association (AHMA)

    Responsible for the development of a self management model for the delivery of Urban and Rural Aboriginal Housing in British Columbia, of which the agreement was signed with the Province of British Columbia on July 1, 2004;
    Learn More


  • First Nations Market Housing Fund

    As a Consultant for the First Nations Market Housing Fund Linda works with various First Nations across Canada Building Capacity.
    Learn More


  • Victoria Native Friendship Centre

    The Victoria Native Friendship Centre (VNFC) has hired Linda E. Ross Property Management Inc. (LER) to develop Siem Lelum (Respected House), which provides 41 units of safe and affordable residential housing for Aboriginal young parents and their children, grandparents raising grandchildren, single young adults who are working and/or attending school, and young adults who are aging out of Foster Care.
    Learn More


  • Ready To Rent

    Ready to Rent BC works closely with both service providers and housing providers to support people in finding solutions to their own housing needs.
    Learn More


  • Housing Department for the Tsawout First nation

    Building elders housing, housing policy and procedures, systems development, proposal writing, renovations.
    Learn More


  • Pacifica Housing

    Clover Place,18 single units for Homeless singles on Douglas and Cloverdale.
    Learn More Analysing organizational structure; making recommendations on changes; and re writing position descriptions for Pacifica Housing.


  • Esquimalt First Nation

    Development and construction of 21 new home including the award winning “Little Big Houses” and the administration building. Paul Merrick gifted the copyright of the drawings.
    Learn More


  • Songhees

    Visioning session with the Nation for the Wellness Centre.
    Learn More


  • BCAAFC

    Assisting friendship centres across the province to write proposals for the Aboriginal Housing Initiative grant administered by AHMA.
    Learn More


  • St. Pauls United Church, Sidney, BC

    Applied for and obtained proposal development funds from CMHC to determine the need for work place housing in Sidney and to explore the financial and create a business case for workplace housing on existing church site.


  • Acting Director of the Tsawout First Nation

    The Chief and Council of the Tsawout First Nation (TFN) hired Linda to act as the acting Director of the TFN while the current Director of Operations was away on holiday.


  • Capital Region Housing Corporation Strategic Planning

    As a Consultant for the Capital Region Housing Corporation (CRHC) Linda was responsible for providing expert advice throughout the project and assistance in the development of the CRHC’s strategic plan. This included providing guidance to the Board and senior staff throughout the strategic planning process, developing materials, facilitating the strategic planning session, and creating a final strategic plan report and document for public review and presentation.


  • Co chair for Addressing Property Management Challenges in First Nations Housing

    March 25th and 26th, 2015 in Vancouver co chaired & delivered “Addressing Property Management Challenges in First Nations Housing”


  • Chair for Addressing Property Management Challenges in First Nations Housing

    Saskatoon, June 9th and 10th, 2015 will chair and deliver a number of workshops based on “Addressing Property Management Challenges in First Nations Housing”

  • Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council Home Ownership Policy Toolkit Project

    Linda was asked to lend her expertise in housing management to work collaboratively with a team to review and support the development of the Nautsa mawt Tribal Council’s Home Ownership Policy Toolkit Project.

  • Beckley Farm Housing Co-operative:

    The Beckley Farm Housing Co-operative hired Linda E. Ross Property Management Inc. (LER) to project manage an extensive remediation of the patio decks and the building enclosure. This involved working closely with all stakeholders, including the Co-op membership, design team, engineers, and contractors.


  • Social Innovation Centre:

    Upon purchasing a new office building in Victoria, BC the Social Innovation Centre hired Linda E. Ross Property Management Inc. (LER) for the following services:

    • To undertake the design work and construction planning phases with the goal of creating as many efficiencies as possible;
    • To meet with both the Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society and Family Services of Greater Victoria to determine main usage;
    • To draft plans for submission to the City of Victoria for permitting;
    • To project manage the renovation of the building (approx. 9500 sq. ft.)
  • The Underwood Trust Development Project of Labour Force Housing:

    The Underwood Family Trust has hired Linda E. Ross Property Management Inc. (LER) as the development consultants to build labour housing on Certificate of Possession (CP) Land on the Tsawout First Nation. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has provided Seed Funding and BC Housing has provided a $3 million dollar grant towards the development of this innovative and much needed project.

  • “Linda’s commitment to affordable housing is evidenced by her many accomplishments, which range from the practical to the prestigious. From property management services and training workshops for housing providers to helping non-profits develop new affordable housing with her expertise as development consultant and community planner, Linda has made her mark on the affordable housing sector in B.C. and beyond. As a former CEO of AHMA, Linda also played a significant role in the transfer of Indigenous social housing to the Aboriginal Housing Management Association. We are proud to congratulate Linda on this well-deserved award.”

    Shayne Ramsay, Chief Executive Officer, BC Housing Management Commission

  • “Linda has worked for many years in our Indigenous community as a champion for people in many areas of social, cultural  and housing programming .She has travelled with us in our canoe guiding and paddling to new destinations while learning and practising cultural protocols. Her work has enriched and empowered our communities and is a great example of reconciliation”

    Nella Nelson (N’amgis , Musgamakw Dzawada’enuxw Nation) retired Aboriginal Nations Education Administrator / Greater Victoria School District

  • “I have long admired Linda for the passion with which she has embraced community building as core throughout her distinguished housing career. Linda’s commitment to ensuring that the vision for Siem Lelum was realized is simply the latest of a long list of inspiring achievements. Mentor, role model and friend, Linda is a rocking, warrior woman!

    And I am so happy that Linda is being honoured in this way!”

    Kathy Stinson CPA, CMA, CIHCM Chief Executive Officer Victoria Cool Aid Society

  • “On February 22, 2013 during a Traditional Witnessing Ceremony held at the
    Bill Reid Gallery in Vancouver to honour the Province wide devolution of
    off reserve Aboriginal housing, the Aboriginal Housing Management
    Association honoured Linda Ross for her: “visionary history with AHMA as
    our first CEO.”

    Aboriginal Housing Management Association

  • “Whose outstanding dedication and vision have furthered the cause of
    affordable housing in British Columbia”

    The Denise Leblond Memorial Award

    BC Non-Profit Housing Association

  • “Unsung hero. In recognition of your dedication & generous support in
    the field of Property Management”

    Victoria Native Friendship Centre

  • “Thank you for your spirit of excellence that you give to me and others
    you work with.”

    L. Underwood, Tsawout First Nation

Management

Linda E. Ross Property Management Inc currently offers market, co op, urban and on reserve property management services. The managing Broker for this company, Linda E. Ross, has over 20 years of experience in property management, as well as an extensive background in the development of multi-million dollar townhouse sites, new single-family homes, and in the design, renovation, and restoration of existing homes. Linda was the Executive Director of M’akola Housing Group of Societies for over 11 years, and was the President and then CEO of the Aboriginal Housing Management Association for a total of 10 years. Linda also served on the Minister of Housing Advisory Committee for the Provincial Government for 9 years.

In addition to housing its Tenants in safe, Healthy, and affordable Housing. Currently, the goal and objective of Linda E. Ross Property Management Inc is to provide ethical management services for commercial and residential properties, which utilize:

  • Up to date technology.
  • Environmentally respectful products and practices.
  • Sound management practices that are sensitive to the needs of the tenants while providing the owners with economic benefit.
  • Best business practices to keep operating costs reasonable, while maintaining buildings in the best possible condition for long-term sustainability.
  • Short and long-term financial planning to ensure owners are prepared for any eventuality.

Along with managing the Victoria Native Friendship Centre’s social housing developments Fernwood House and Siem Lelum House, Linda E. Ross Property Management Inc currently offers market and on reserve property management services.

Areas of Knowledge and Experience:

  • Property Management
  • Development – multi million dollar townhouse sites
  • Renovations – commercial and residential
  • Administration and Program Development – Social Services
  • Administration and Program Development- Aboriginal housing
  • Program Evaluation and Assessment
  • Writing: proposals, policy and procedure manuals, articles, papers, and curriculum Teaching – courses and seminars
  • Human Resource Management and Training
  • Mediation and Advocacy
  • Counselling
  • Consultation and facilitation of agreements with First Nations and the Off Reserve Aboriginal community

Committees and Appointments

  • City of Victoria Housing Committee
  • BC Non Profit Housing Association Board Member and Vice President
  • ‘Towards More Inclusive Communities” Community Resource Participant
  • Minister of Housing Advisory Committee
  • President of the Aboriginal Housing Management Association for
    B.C./Yukon
  • Canadian Housing and Renewal Association Conference (CHRA) Planning
    Committee Co Chair, Victoria conference
  • CHRA Planning committee, Vancouver conference
  • Director Victoria Native Friendship Centre (Treasurer)
  • Director Capital Mental Health Association
  • Director Camosun College Foundation (2nd Vice President)
  • Director, Van City Enterprises
  • Planning Committee for CMHC Housing Symposium
  • Director, Board of Governors – Camosun College
  • Director and Board of Governors Liaison – Camosun College Foundation Board
  • Aboriginal Coalition to End Homelessness
  • Task Force for BC Aboriginal Network on Disability Society

Awards

    • The Denise LeBlond Memorial Award, 2004 :
      “Whose outstanding dedication and vision have furthered the cause of affordable housing in British Columbia”
    • Community Builder Award – CHRA, 2019:
      “…in recognition of her lifetime spent in the effort to produce affordable not for profit housing for Indigenous people in communities throughout Canada, and her tireless advocacy for housing as the cornerstone of living dignity, hope and possibility for all people.”
    • Linda E. Ross

      Managing Broker
      (250) 381-9336

    • William G.T. Ross

      Business Manager
      (250) 361-5738

Strategic Alliances

Contemplations

Wayne Helgason & Linda Ross sharing a laugh with Actor, Adam Beach, at The Tsawout First Nation Gala to rebuild their Longhouse.

Actor, Adam Beach, attended the Gala for the fundraiser and gave an inspirational talk to the attendees. Wayne Helgason, an active advocate for the rights of the Aboriginal peoples in Canada had known Adam when he was a youth.

Linda knew that Adam was a big supporter of adequate, safe and affordable Housing for Aboriginal peoples both off and on reserve.

Adam offered to help with advocacy and possibly lending his name to fundraising efforts for various projects. We are grateful to Adam and look forward to a long and fruitful relationship.

A shot of me presenting Romeo Dallaire with a feather, some sweet grass and some sage in honour of his contribution to world peace by bringing attention to the genocide in Rwanda which he calls a “failure of humanity”.
He is the author of the book: Shake Hands with the Devil.

 

University of Manitoba Statement of Apology and Reconciliation

Statement Of Apology

As a graduate of the University of Manitoba and the mother of an Aboriginal young man, this apology has a profound impact on me and my family. I am very proud of my Alma Mater for taking responsibility for the role they played in this dark part of our history in Manitoba.

Supporting Our Community

Siem Lelum (Respected House)

We are fundraising to create a Community Building and Playground, which will be the Heart of the Siem Lelum Urban Village. Our Fundraising goal is $600,000. Siem Lelum is a 41 unit urban village which houses Aboriginal Families, Elders, and Youth. Phase 1 has been built with grants from CMHC, The Regional Housing Trust Fund, and the City of Victoria. 26 units of housing have been up and running for over 2 years and construction of 15 additional units of family housing has just begun with a grant from BC Housing. Read More >>


ĆENENITEL Donation

We invite you to join us in supporting ĆENENITEL, the emergency fund for Aboriginal education students at Camosun College. The fund is intended to provide much-needed relief in times of unforeseen financial difficulty for students in Aboriginal education programs.

Please support those striving to improve their lives through education. It’s as easy as visiting the Camosun College Foundation and making your donation online (please include notation of this fund) or by calling (250) 370-4234.

Thank you for your support
Sincerely,
Linda Ross and William Ross

Tell us more about your project!

  • Aboriginal Groups – on and off reserve
  • Federal, Province, Territorial, and Municipal Governments
  • Non profit housing societies
  • Residential and commercial construction companies

The Moon would never rise if it paid attention to all of the dogs barking at it