The Founders

The founders created Four Pillars Community Housing to be part of the solution to the housing and affordability crisis.

Joseph MacLean is a social entrepreneur and has worked in the Social Purpose Real Estate and Social Enterprise space for twenty years and has worked extensively on the affordable housing file. Joseph led the team at Vancouver Native Housing Society (now BC Indigenous Housing) that put together a Dragon’s Den on the creation of an Affordable Housing Trust.

Joseph has been the lead consultant on projects valued at over $40,000,000. Since 2003 Joseph has worked on the development and implementation of affordable housing and social enterprise projects in literacy (Shine a Light on Literacy, housing (Skwachàys Lodge & Residence), education (Digital Technology & Education Society) as well as the Urban Aboriginal Fair Trade Art Gallery. Joseph was the project lead on the Kanata Festival on Turtle Island for Canada’s sesquicentennial.

Most recently Joseph created a community-based, Fair Trade distribution system for Cambodian pepper farmers that besides supporting smallholder growers, raises money to support agencies involved in the fight to end poverty and hunger.

Larry Traverence is the Vice President, Investment & Commercial Division at Dexter Realty and is a former board member at the Vancouver Real Estate Board (Now Greater Vancouver Realtors). Celebrating over 37 years at the Greater Vancouver Realtors Board Larry has volunteered at the Board and held positions as VP Commercial Division, Chair Elect of the BC Commercial Council. Larry sat for two terms on the Professional Conduct Committee where he helped ensure all agents act with the highest ethical standards. Larry also spent two terms on the Gastown Historic Area Planning committee where duties involved new development and remodeling of properties in Gastown and most recently was a two-term Commissioner for the Richmond Heritage Committee.

Additionally, as Managing Broker of Archer Realty, Larry managed several hundred SRO units in the downtown east side for BC Housing. Having spent many years in the Downtown East Side working with SRO owners like Peter Plett (he owns more SRO rooms at present than any other private landlord) several non-profit providers including Portland Housing and Atira Larry has come to understand the importance of protecting these shelters to those most in need. Currently, Larry is assisting Entre Nous Femmes Housing Society and several other charities/non-market housing providers, on securing older apartment buildings through BC Housing Rental Protection Fund.