Our Story
From lived experience to transformative action - discover the journey that drives our mission.
More Than Shelter
At Bendera Housing, we believe that affordable housing is more than shelter. It is a springboard for opportunity, stability, and dignity. Our work is informed by lived experience and a deep understanding of the challenges many families face in finding a place to call home.
Lived Experience Matters
Our Executive Director grew up in social housing and knows what it means to live in a community where safety and affordability are not guaranteed and what becomes possible when they are. That insight shapes our approach to building communities that are inclusive, thoughtful, and grounded in real needs.
Our Mission in Action
Affordable rental & homeownership options
Supporting families across Alberta
Breaking down systemic barriers
Celebrating diversity & resilience
Building More Than Homes
Bendera is committed to building not just homes, but neighbourhoods where people feel safe, respected, able to thrive and belong. We create communities that honor heritage, embrace belonging, and provide the foundation for families to build their futures.
Our Work in Action
See how we're transforming communities and creating spaces where people belong.
Building Communities
Our construction process focuses on quality, sustainability, and community input.
Thriving Residents
Families and individuals finding stability and opportunity in our communities.
Sustainable Design
Environmental stewardship through energy-efficient and eco-friendly features.
Creating Places to Belong
Every Bendera community is designed with intention, built with care, and managed with respect for the people who call it home.
Our Core Values
We believe that sustainability is not just about buildings. It is about people. We design every home to lower energy use, reduce costs for residents, and protect our environment for future generations. We are committed to ensuring that a Bendera home is a place where residents can live well and be part of a healthier, more resilient future.
Every person deserves a home that reflects their worth and potential. We design and build with dignity at the forefront, creating spaces that residents are proud to call home and communities are proud to welcome.
Our Approach
Listen & Learn
We start every project by engaging with community members, understanding their needs, dreams, and challenges to inform our approach.
Design & Develop
Our designs prioritize sustainability, accessibility, and community connection while maintaining affordability and quality.
Build & Support
We don't just build homes and walk away. We provide ongoing support and programming to help residents and communities thrive.
Meet The Team
The passionate people behind Bendera's mission to create belonging through affordable housing.
Eunice Cox
Eunice Cox leads Bendera Housing as its Executive Director, overseeing the organization's day-to-day operations and long-term strategic direction. Her passion for affordable housing is rooted in her own story. Growing up on the Aylesbury Estate in South London, one of the UK's largest social housing developments, gave Eunice a first-hand understanding of how stable, affordable housing can transform lives and open doors to education, opportunity, and self-determination.
A UK qualified solicitor since 2005, Eunice spent most of her legal career working with affordable housing providers, local authorities, and developers. She held senior roles at several respected law firms, where she led multi-million-pound housing transactions and supported the development and refinancing of large-scale residential portfolios.
Eunice also brings entrepreneurial experience from Ghana, where she launched and managed a successful beachside guesthouse. Her work across sectors and continents reflects a deep commitment to community, dignity, and equitable development.
At Bendera, Eunice combines lived experience with professional insight to ensure that the organization stays focused on its mission: building inclusive, sustainable communities that create space for people to thrive and belong.
Eric Sogah
Eric Sogah serves as a director of Bendera Housing with a strong belief that "where a man lays his head is one of his biggest needs." As an immigrant to Canada, Eric knows how critical access to secure, affordable housing is; especially for those navigating a new land, unfamiliar systems, and limited resources. His own journey, marked by housing challenges and systemic barriers, fuels his commitment to ensuring others don't have to face the same obstacles alone.
A seasoned finance and banking professional, Eric brings more than a decade of experience at the Bank of Montreal, where he has held senior leadership roles in business banking, credit analysis, training and development, and real estate financing. His work spans sectors from real estate to oil and gas, and he leads with a focus on risk insight, strategic growth, and mentorship.
Eric also holds a Master's degree in Economics from the University of British Columbia and a Bachelor's degree from the University of Lethbridge. His background in economic analysis and public policy adds a valuable perspective to Bendera's approach to community-focused housing development.
For Eric, affordable housing is more than a policy issue. It is a matter of dignity. His work at Bendera is driven by a desire to help others experience the stability and security of a place to call home.
Jennifer Barnard
Jennifer Barnard brings a strong foundation in community service, nonprofit operations, and social equity to her role as a director at Bendera Housing. A graduate of the University of Leeds with a degree in International Development, Jenni has called Alberta home for over 20 years, during which time she has worked and volunteered with numerous charities and not-for-profit organizations. She is currently the Office Manager at St. James Anglican Church in Calgary, where she supports the day-to-day operations of a busy community hub serving a diverse population. Her role combines administrative leadership with grassroots community care—making her deeply attuned to the real-world challenges facing families and individuals seeking stability and belonging.
Jenni's passion for housing justice is both personal and practical. She believes that affordable housing is a cornerstone of community well-being and economic resilience, and she brings this conviction into her work with Bendera. Drawing on her broad nonprofit experience, strong organizational skills, and heart for service, Jenni helps guide Bendera's vision to create dignified, inclusive spaces where everyone has a chance to thrive.
Our Commitment to Excellence
At Bendera, we know that when those most affected are part of the solution, the results are stronger, fairer, and longer-lasting. We build with a long view that honors heritage and embraces belonging, creating not just affordable housing, but affordable homes where families can build their futures.