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Input Needed: Designing and Launching A Home Sharing Program on Cortes
The Cortes Housing Society is launching a home sharing service on Cortes. Last March we hosted a Home Sharing Forum, interviewing Janey Rowland and Noelle Marcus about their innovative projects to boost home sharing in their communities.
Rental Subsidy Programs
Did you know that BC Housing offers two rental subsidy programs? One is for families and the other is for seniors. Check out their on-line calculator to see how much you could save every month: https://www.bchousing.org/housing-assistance/rental-assistance-programs
Proposed Zoning Changes on Cortes
Perhaps you’ve heard that the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) is updating the zoning bylaws that govern development on Cortes. These bylaws should have been updated to reflect the Official Community Plan (OCP) over a decade ago. As a result, our currently bylaws are quite outdated and this update is a very important opportunity to shape housing on island for the next decade.
Aquifer Study
With all this rain, it’s hard to imagine that our island’s natural water systems are vulnerable. Looking to other islands in our region and recognizing changing climates, we absolutely need to be working to protect and preserve our below-ground fresh water. We have recently received notice from the Real Estate Foundation of BC that we were awarded a grant to conduct an aquifer health assessment for Cortes to progress this work here.
Rainbow Ridge News
A big thank you to everyone who pitched in at our work bee on Tuesday. “Many hands make light work”. We were amazed by how much was accomplished in two hours. Our beautiful trails are easier to navigate without the prickles!
Cortes Community Land Trust is Born
Join the Cortes Housing Society to take a tour and share your ideas for how we can make the most of this great new community asset!
BC Housing Funding Update
Responding to the urgency of the Cortes housing crisis, we, the CHS have wanted to explore many more avenues of creating housing on the island.
Welcome New Board Members and Aquifer Health Event on Saturday
In this update I introduce you to 5 new board members and invite you to join our upcoming housing forum on Saturday, April 20th to discuss water quality and quantity on Cortes..
Is Homesharing a good solution for you and for Cortes?
Homesharing is gaining in popularity as a way for people with an extra bedroom to produce some income and have company around the house. Homesharing services help to vet potential tenants and connect them with people that have an extra room.
March Housing Updates: Zoning, Speakers. and Building Trades Directory
If you care about life on Cortes and the future of our community, you have a very important opportunity to help shape-it with the zoning bylaw review that is currently being led by the Strathcona Regional District (SRD).
Cortes Housing Forum Report is Here
On December 2nd, 2023 over 125 people gathered together and on-line to share perspectives on housing solutions for Cortes. On that day, we also launched a housing survey that had over 250 responses over the following week.
Explore the Trades Directory
Connecting residents with local professionals for home improvement, construction, landscaping and more, making it easy to find recommended services in the region.
Explore the Trades Directory
Connecting residents with local professionals for home improvement, construction, landscaping and more, making it easy to find recommended services in the region.
What You Can Do
Three ways you can help.
Stay Informed
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up-to-date with our latest news, events and community activities.
Get Involved
Come to our Open Houses & Forums, follow our Speaker Series, and contribute to our Trades Directory.
Donate
Help fund our housing projects and initiatives with a monthly or one-time donation.
Thank you to our 2023/24 $10K+ funders
And the hundreds of Cortes residents that support our work on an ongoing basis
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