On July 23, Community Living BC (CLBC) honoured Ann Janssen, executive director of the Comox Valley Affordable Housing Society (CVAHS), with a Widening Our World (WOW) award in recognition of her passionate advocacy and leadership in creating inclusive, accessible, and affordable housing in the Comox Valley.
Of the 50 WOW award nominations received this year, Janssen stood out to the selection committee for her hard work to expand housing options available to marginalized community members and for advocating for accessibility and housing affordability. Her work includes the development of Cypress Gardens, a 52-unit building designed for people of all abilities that was awarded the Rick Hansen Gold rating for accessibility, work with local agencies to provide wraparound supports to help tenants thrive, and most recently, the establishment of a local rent bank to provide one-time interest free loans to promote housing stability in the Comox Valley.
Janssen received her WOW award in the communal space at Cypress Gardens in front of her team, CVAHS board members, family, tenants, and a few CLBC staff.
鈥淚 consider the people who live in our housing as my tenant family, and it is beautiful to see people become part of this community," said Janssen. "I am so humbled to receive this award and know it could not have happened without the hard work and dedication of my team, the board, and our volunteers.鈥�
Brian Tebo, CLBC regional director for the island, presented Janssen with the award .
鈥淎nn is a true champion of inclusive, affordable, and accessible housing on Vancouver Island. She not only helps people find homes, but she also helps them stay housed, even during tough times. She is dedicated, caring and always focused on positive solutions.鈥�
CLBC develops partnerships with housing organizations to support CLBC eligible adults to gain access to affordable housing; CVAHS is a key partner in the Comox Valley.
Janssen鈥檚 father was a deeply committed community volunteer, who was involved in the start of the affordable housing movement in the Comox Valley. As a child, she often went with her dad when he was volunteering, learning firsthand about the needs of vulnerable people in the community. This early experience helped to shape who Janssen is today, her dedication to championing the needs of at-risk populations and her work to promote, expand and build accessible and inclusive housing.
The WOW Awards were created by CLBC in 2009 to recognize the people and places that go above and beyond to promote inclusion and full citizenship for the adults CLBC serves. CLBC is a provincial Crown corporation that funds services for people 19 years or older who are diagnosed with a developmental disability, or fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, or autism spectrum disorder, and who need significant help to complete everyday activities.
