Why paying a Living Wage matters at Aboriginal Housing Management Association (AHMA)

In this short blog, Sharilyn Erickson, Executive Assistant at AHMA, shares why AHMA became a Living Wage Employer and how this commitment aligns with the organization's Indigenous values and teachings.

The Aboriginal Housing Management Association (AHMA) is a For Indigenous, By Indigenous organization that supports Indigenous housing providers across British Columbia. AHMA works alongside its members to strengthen Indigenous housing and advance safe, sustainable, and culturally grounded housing solutions for Indigenous people living in urban, rural, and northern communities. Today, AHMA's team of approximately 72 employees supports a provincial network dedicated to improving housing outcomes for Indigenous peoples throughout BC.

AHMA became a Living Wage Employer in 2024 as a natural extension of our organizational values and responsibilities. In Indigenous cultures, we are taught that the well-being of the collective depends on how we care for one another. The teachings of respect, reciprocity, and community responsibility remind us that when people are supported, families thrive, communities grow stronger, and future generations benefit.

At AHMA, we often say our work is about giving each other a good life. A living wage is one way we put that teaching into practice—by ensuring those who support Indigenous housing across BC are themselves supported.

Since becoming a Living Wage Employer, we have seen meaningful benefits across our organization. Paying a living wage contributes to employee stability, supports retention, and reduces financial stress, allowing employees to focus more fully on serving our members and communities. It also strengthens a workplace culture rooted in respect, care, and belonging.

As one member of our team shared:

"Paying a living wage reflects our values of respect, fairness, and community responsibility. It honours the contributions of our people and strengthens our ability to advance Indigenous housing and support the communities we serve."

The impact of paying a living wage extends beyond the workplace. It helps strengthen local economies, supports families, and contributes to healthier, more resilient communities. For Indigenous organizations, investing in people is an investment in community wellness, self-determination, and long-term sustainability.

We are proud to stand alongside more than 500 Living Wage Employers across British Columbia who are helping create a more equitable future. At the same time, AHMA continues to champion Indigenous-led housing solutions, innovative policy development, and meaningful partnerships that support Indigenous housing providers and the communities they serve.

We encourage other organizations to consider becoming Living Wage Employers. Together, we can help build stronger communities where people are valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.

A Living Wage Employer certification is a voluntary commitment that demonstrates an employer's dedication to supporting workers, families, and local economies. The living wage represents the hourly amount a worker needs to earn to cover basic living expenses such as housing, food, transportation, and childcare.

As a provincial organization serving communities throughout British Columbia, AHMA recognizes that the cost of living varies significantly across the province. In 2025, Living Wage rates in the communities where AHMA and its members operate range from $21.55 per hour in Grand Forks to $29.60 per hour in Whistler, with Metro Vancouver's living wage calculated at $27.85 per hour. These differences reflect the unique realities faced by Indigenous peoples, families, and communities across urban, rural, northern, and remote regions of BC.

For AHMA, a living wage is more than a paycheque. It reflects our responsibility to care for our people and create conditions where employees and their families can thrive. This commitment aligns with Indigenous values that teach us to care for one another, strengthen the collective, and ensure that future generations have the opportunity to thrive.

To learn more about AHMA, visit: Aboriginal Housing Management Association (AHMA)