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Seasonal Employee Housing
As a part of our effort to support housing on Cortes, the Cortes Housing Society (CHS) is working to address the significant challenges that employers and employees face finding adequate housing in the summer. Seasonal housing challenges are impacting local organizations and business’s ability to retain existing employees and attract new seasonal workers during peak season.
Makerspace in Action
The Cortes Community Health Association and the Cortes Housing Society have been working together this past month. Thanks to a Gender Equity Grant from Cortes Island Community Foundation (CICF) and the Community Foundations of Canada, the CCHA is offering rural skills workshops for women on Cortes. They are using our new Cortes Wood Makerspace as a venue for building useful things.
Aquifer Project Update
With clear skies and summer just around the corner, are you concerned about your well water supply and having enough water for crops and household needs? What can we do to protect groundwater sources on Cortes Island and ensure that development is sustainable over the long-term?
Rainbow Ridge Update
Things are moving ahead at Rainbow Ridge. The land is now cleared for 24 townhomes. Three logging truck loads will be locally milled into timber for our community building. Lower grade wood will provide firewood for islanders and donations to the school wetlands project.
Trades Program on Cortes
A big thanks to everyone who joined us at our “Opportunities in the Trades” forum on April 14th. We had a great discussion about the importance of training the next generation of tradespeople and the resources that are available to support this effort.
Breaking Ground
Dear community,
After many years of planning and fundraising for Rainbow Ridge, we will be breaking ground on Monday, February 10th. This first phase of construction will involve felling trees, pulling stumps, and grading the area that will house our utility building and the first 7 homes.
Community Consultation
Thanks to those who joined us at Manson’s Hall to hear updates from multiple organizations about projects in Manson’s Landing before Rainbow Ridge construction gears up to start in spring 2025 and new multi-purpose courts are being developed.
2024 Year-End Report
Global housing challenges really hit the news in 2024. You likely heard the national headlines in Canada with new funding programs and initiatives to get more housing built. In many ways, Cortes is a poster child for these challenges with important island contributors like the garbage truck driver moving off island to find affordable land elsewhere. While we certainly have our work cut out for us, 2024 was a banner year for the Cortes Housing Society.
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? Â One is for families and the other is for seniors. Â 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.
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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