About Us

CHAF was created to help advance affordable housing. We work alongside housing providers, governments, and investors to build lasting housing solutions across Canada.

About Us

CHAF was created to help advance affordable housing. We work alongside housing providers, governments, and investors to build lasting housing solutions across Canada.

Who we are

Sector-led, solutions driven

CHAF is an independent, non-profit organization advancing affordable housing through investments, partnerships, and innovative approaches to community ownership.

Founded by leaders from the community housing sector and supported by expertise in finance, investment, and governance, CHAF works to strengthen the non-market housing sector and expand affordable housing opportunities across Canada.

Community Housing
Leadership

Built by leaders with deep experience advancing affordable housing solutions.

Cross-Sector
Expertise

Bringing together housing,  investment, and governance expertise to create lasting impact.

Our Values

Principles that guide our work

CHAF believes affordable housing solutions are strongest when communities lead and partnerships are built on collaboration and understanding. We believe that investments in affordable housing today create lasting impact. These values guide how we work and the solutions we support.

Community Ownership

Communities are best positioned to shape their own future. We support approaches that strengthen local leadership and enable the long-term ownership and stewardship of affordable housing.

Partnership

The most effective housing solutions are built together. We bring together housing providers, governments, investors, and sector organizations to achieve greater impact through collaboration and shared expertise.

Investment at Scale

Lasting change requires lasting investment. We bring together public, private, and social impact capital to support solutions that preserve affordability and expand access to affordable housing.

For Indigenous, By Indigenous

Indigenous housing solutions are strongest when they are shaped by their communities. We support approaches that advance self-determination and are designed by and for Indigenous Peoples.

Our Leadership

Meet our Leadership

Ray Sullivan
Ray Sullivan
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Ray Sullivan

Board Chair

Ray Sullivan is the Executive Director of the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association (CHRA), the national association that represents community housing and brings over 20 years of leadership experience in the community housing sector.

John Gordon
John Gordon
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John Gordon

Board Vice-Chair

John Gordon has over 30 years of experience in senior leadership roles within the federal government and the Indigenous non-profit sector. Throughout his career, he has focused on advancing the aspirations of Indigenous Peoples and fostering community-led solutions.

Tim Ross
Tim Ross
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Tim Ross

Board Treasurer

Tim Ross, ICD.D, is the Chief Executive Officer of the Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada. CHF Canada is a national membership association of housing co-operatives, representing over one thousand members, and home to over a quarter of a million people.

Kaye Melliship
Kaye Melliship
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Kaye Melliship

Board Director

Kaye has had a long career in housing policy, land use planning, real estate development and managing affordable rental housing.

Jennifer Moore Rattray
Jennifer Moore Rattray
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Jennifer Moore Rattray

Board Director

Jennifer Moore Rattray is a nationally recognized public-sector and community-sector leader and experienced corporate director with three decades of experience across government, Indigenous organizations, post-secondary institutions, and the non-profit sector.

Ricky Fontaine
Ricky Fontaine
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Ricky Fontaine

Board Director

Kendra MacDonald
Kendra MacDonald
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Kendra MacDonald

Board Director

Donna Redmond Gates
Donna Redmond Gates
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Donna Redmond Gates

Board Director

Jacqueline Saucier
Jacqueline Saucier
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Jacqueline Saucier

Board Director

Julie Favreau
Julie Favreau
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Julie Favreau

Interim CEO

Julie Favreau is a recognized expert in social and community real estate, with more than 20 years of experience in real estate development, risk management, and investment in high-impact social projects across Canada.

T'Brenn Kelly-McKinnon
T'Brenn Kelly-McKinnon
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T'Brenn Kelly-McKinnon

Chief Investment Officer

T’Brenn Kelly-McKinnon, RPP, MCIP, is the Chief Investment Officer of CHAF, where he leads investment strategy and execution to preserve naturally-occurring affordable rental housing.

Cassandra Smith
Cassandra Smith
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Cassandra Smith

Chief Operating Officer

Cassandra is Chief Operating Officer of CHAF, where she has helped build the organization’s operational capacity, national partnerships, and communications and engagement functions as it establishes a new national platform for community housing acquisition.

Expanding Affordable Housing Together

Addressing Canada's housing challenges requires collaboration across sectors. CHAF brings together capital, expertise, and partnerships to advance affordable housing solutions.