About

History

Entre Nous Femmes Housing Society (ENFHS) was founded in 1984 and became a registered nonprofit society in 1985, by three women who wanted to improve their lives and the lives of other single mothers and their children. ENFHS is one of the first women-led community housing development organizations in Canada that geared housing development to meet the needs of single-parent families.

The name “Entre Nous Femmes” came about after the founders April English, Leslie Stern, and Mia Cross realized they needed a name for their newly founded organization that reflected both the inclusive and non-hierarchical model of creating spaces for women and the belief that they could develop their housing in a non-traditional way. They gathered one evening, armed with a pot of tea and a bottle of wine, and with the help of an English and French dictionary, they came up with the name “Entre Nous Femmes.” April took responsibility for the name. Growing up in a francophone community, she believed a French name would reflect the potential and opportunity to create something new and unique and speak to the collaboration and connection between this group of women.  “Entre Nous Femmes” in its translation is “Amongst us Women,” speaks not to the individual but about “us together” in the community. A philosophy Entre Nous Femmes Housing Society still follows today.

Today

We currently serve over 1,200 low and moderate-income women, gender-diverse groups, single-parent families, seniors, people with disabilities and Indigenous and other equity-deserving groups in more than 500 affordable rental homes in thirteen properties in Burnaby, New Westminster, North Vancouver, Vancouver, and Surrey. In recognition of the great need for safe, secure and affordable housing in Metro Vancouver, our goal is to double the number of people we serve and the homes we operate by 2028.

Entre Nous Femmes Housing Society respectfully acknowledges that we work and provide affordable homes on the traditional and unceded territories of the Coast Salish peoples, specifically the q̓ic̓əy̓ (Katzie), Qw’? ntl’en (Kwantlen), kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Qiqá:yt (Qayqayt), Semiahmoo, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), sc̓əwaθən məsteyəxʷ (Tsawwassen) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) First Nations. We are grateful to live and work on these lands.

As a settler housing organization, we are committed to working in a good way with Indigenous peoples and organizations through anti-racist and anti-colonial actions, continued commitments to reconciliation, and solidarity and partnership to ensure everyone has a safe and secure place to call home. This includes ongoing anti-racist and reconciliation training and reflection by team and Board members, intentional partnering with Indigenous organizations to provide more affordable housing to Indigenous peoples and participating in reconcili-actions such as the One Day’s Pay campaign, that donates one-day’s payroll from ENFHS to Indigenous organizations serving Indigenous communities and causes.

We are also committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment that reflects our community, where everyone feels they belong and can thrive. Entre Nous Femmes Housing Society is proud to be a Certified Living Wage Employer by The Living Wage for Families Campaign and a signatory to the Government of Canada’s 50/30 Challenge for Diversity and Inclusion.