Brella and Crescent Housing Affiliate
Media Release
November 30, 2023
It’s happening! Brella Community Services Society and Crescent Housing Society affiliate to better support older adults in Surrey and White Rock.
On July 20, 2023, Brella Community Services Society and Crescent Housing Society announced the intention of a merger between the two societies pending the successful completion of a due diligence process and agreeing to a suitable legal structure.
On November 30, 2023, the two societies became legally affiliated during a Special General Meeting held in Surrey. While both societies remain separate legal entities, they share the same board and management. Around the governance table are Doug Hart, Chair; Heather Martin, Vice-Chair; Gordon Barefoot, Treasurer; Cherry Harriman, Secretary; and Directors, Gordon Hogg, Jasper Macabulos, and Sarabjeet Dua. Eryn Jackson is currently on a leave of absence and is anticipated to serve on both boards when she returns. Louise Tremblay is in the role of Executive Director, overseeing the management of both organizations.
“The Brella board and staff are very excited about our merger with Crescent Housing Society as it supports our long-term strategy of expanding Brella’s services to support older adults and family caregivers and expanding into affordable housing. Our affiliation with Crescent Housing will strengthen the impact of our services and allow us to provide the leadership to maintain affordable housing to all residents of Crescent Housing”, says Doug Hart, Board Chair.
“Both the staff of Brella and Crescent Housing look forward to combining their respective experience and passion for older adults and working together as one integrated organization. The affiliation will support the unique needs of our growing aging population by providing additional affordable housing units and access to a wide range of community services, which will enable older adults to live independently in their homes for as long as possible,” says Louise Tremblay, Executive Director.
Crescent Housing’s mandate is to provide affordable, safe, quality, independent housing for older adults and people with disabilities. Their housing complex, comprising of two buildings located in beautiful and natural settings near the intersection of 26th Avenue and 128th Street in Surrey, provides 256 affordable homes to adults aged 55 and over.
Brella, a registered charity, has been in existence since 1977 providing community-based services to older adults, family caregivers and people living with dementia in Surrey and White Rock. Brella’s mission is “to enable older adults, their families and caregivers to lead full, engaged and meaningful lives.”
This affiliation is great news because together we can create a caring community that will make it better not only for our older adults, but for us all.