Join us for an introduction to a new toolkit, created in collaboration with BC Non-Profit Housing Association: Understanding the Impacts of Local Sustainability Policies on Non-Profit Housing Providers: A Guide for Local Governments in BC. This toolkit is designed to help municipalities identify and mitigate the unintended impacts of sustainability policies on non-profit housing. From increased capital and operating costs to administrative burdens and tenant affordability pressures, the toolkit provides practical strategies to balance climate objectives with the long-term viability of affordable housing.
As local governments across British Columbia advance ambitious climate and sustainability goals, it’s important to understand how these policies can affect non-profit housing providers and the communities they serve. Following an overview on how local governments can use this new toolkit to develop more equitable and effective policies, there will be a panel discussion with non-profit housing professionals to share their first-hand experiences with various sustainability initiatives.
Panelists Bios:
Mike Ruttan is a retired educator, former Mayor of Port Alberni and a founder of the Alberni Low Energy Housing Society. In 2022 the society opened BC’s most energy efficient non-profit apartment building. It was the first in the province to achieve step4 on the revised BC Building Code. We have always valued energy efficient buildings that are both beautiful and functional and a strong sense of community. We try to achieve either by building new or through renovations.
Ken Zeitner is the Executive Director of Society of Hope and has provided leadership in non-profit organizations for many years. He and his wife, Barb, co-founded the Society of Hope in the early 1990s. His development of the administrative and operational systems served as a foundation for the growth the Society which now has 900 rental housing units located on 20 sites around the Central Okanagan. Ken’s commitment to the non-profit housing sector is evident in his service with the BCNPHA, including previously sitting on the board. In 2021 Ken was recipient of the Denise Leblond Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition for his dedication and vision in furthering the cause of affordable housing in British Columbia.
Erich Klein serves as Associate Vice President Asset Management & Sustainability at Baptist Housing, where he has spent the past 14 years helping shape the organization’s approach to facilities, operations, and long-term asset care. In his current role, Erich oversees maintenance and asset management across 21 communities, ensuring safe, reliable, and welcoming housing for more than 2,700 residents. Erich brings a mechanical engineering background and more than 20 years of hands-on experience with mechanical systems and equipment to his work — a technical foundation that allows him to lead with both depth and practicality. He is known for translating complex facilities challenges into clear, actionable strategies that keep buildings running smoothly and residents safe. Beyond the technical side of his role, Erich is deeply committed to the people Baptist Housing serves. He believes that strong asset management isn’t just about equipment and infrastructure — it’s about creating environments where residents can feel secure, comfortable, and cared for every day. That philosophy guides his focus on safety, efficiency, and sustainability across Baptist Housing’s portfolio, and reflects the organization’s broader mission of compassionate care for seniors.
