A local woman has been recognized with an award for her work developing affordable housing in the East Kootenay.

Janice Ivan is the executive director of the Canadian Mental Health Association - Kootenays, and last month she received the Denise LaBlond Memorial Award from the B.C. Non-Profit Housing Association (BCNPHA).

"What an honour this is!" Ivan said about the award she received at a special luncheon during the annual conference in Richmond on Tuesday, November 22.

The annual award is given to "an individual whose dedication and vision have furthered the cause of affordable housing in British Columbia," according to the BCNPHA.

Ivan was nominated for the honour by CMHA - Kootenays staff member Dana Hill.

"Over the past 14 years, Janice's desire to serve the most marginalised population of our community and region has contributed the following affordable and low-barrier housing developments," started Hill in her nomination letter.

Ivan has been involved from conception to completion and start-up with 11 housing developments in the Kootenays for people with disabilities, women and children fleeing abuse, seniors, families, and adults with mental health needs.

In Cranbrook, these include Abbott Gardens, Kootenay Haven Transition House, Sonja's Gardens, Haven Gardens and Baker Gardens.

All up CMHA - Kootenays has developed and operates 272 units of singles, family, transitional and seniors housing in the East and West Kootenays.

"Through Janice's visionary leadership, CMHA for the Kootenays has taken great steps in filling the void of safe affordable housing, thus providing persons served with self-worth, confidence and dignity," wrote Hill.

"We truly are blessed to have Janice and a strong board to guide our association now and into the future."

In accepting the award, Ivan was humble.

"If ever there was an unlikely candidate to win this award, I would have to say it would be me," she said. "The organisation for which I am employed, CMHA for the Kootenays, didn't start with much money and is located a long way off from urban centres and most bureaucracies.

"Our strength grew from those of us who rejected the myth that safe and affordable housing was attainable only for some citizens."

She told the crowd gathered at the housing association conference that the award belongs to everyone at her organisation.

"CMHA for the Kootenays has spent a great deal of time volunteering, organizing, planning and lobbying for more affordable housing stock in our communities," Ivan said.

Challenges lie ahead with the state of the economy, she continued, and the lack of new resources for housing.

"I believe, though, that because we are who we are, we will find ways to harness new energy, find alternate resources, and will be creative in finding ways to operate and manage both current and additional future housing stock that is required to meet the demand," said Ivan.