Latest News
Get our latest community updates and invitations to events & activities.
September at Rainbow Ridge
There’s lots of progress to report.
Public Hearing on Zoning
This is a critical moment to make your voice heard and show your support. The SRD will be hosting a public hearing to discuss the proposed bylaw on Monday, September 8th @ 5pm at Manson’s Hall. We encourage you to attend and share your perspective.
Results of the Cortes Aquifer Study
We are pleased to present the findings of the Cortes Island Aquifer Health Assessment, a study commissioned by the Cortes Housing Society to map and assess the health of our island aquifers. This report, made possible with funding from the Real Estate Foundation of BC, gives us the critical data needed to responsibly plan for the years ahead.
Pictures from Natural Building Workshop & Open House
Thank you to all who attended our Natural Building Workshop and Rainbow Ridge Open House last weekend. With over 75 people stopping by to share their ideas and cheer us on, it was a wonderful event. With direction from Mark Lombard, volunteers built a chip slip wall to adorn our community building. Thank you for helping make our dreams a reality!
New Design for Rainbow Ridge
After several design revisions, we’re excited to share the updated layout for our community development on Sunday, July 13th from 10 AM to noon at Rainbow Ridge.
Thinking of sharing your home or land?
We are pleased to announce the launch of a new HomeShare Portal on our website. HomeShare is popular around the world as a way to connect those looking for affordable accommodations with those who have extra space in their homes or on their properties.
Natural Building Workshop & Rainbow Ridge Open House
We are hosting two upcoming events on the weekend of July 11th. The first is a 3 day workshop on chip slip natural building. There are opportunities to drop in for 3 hour sessions as well. Please email us to register.
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.
Upcoming
Events
In-Person & Online.
Natural Building Workshop
Learn how to build chip slip walls for energy-efficient homes that utilize renewable, locally-available materials.
Aquifer Study Update
Watch this presentation by hydrologists from GW Solutions who discuss the state of our aquifers and their progress in mapping them during a meeting with community members in Manson’s Hall.
Opportunities in the Trades
The Cortes Housing Society hosted “Opportunities in the Trades” at Manson’s Hall and on Zoom on April 14th. Presenters from North Island College, Skilled Trades BC, North Island Employment, Roots to Roofs Community Development and Citizen Design Build shared their expertise and resources for getting started in the trades.
Land Share Models: A Learning Forum
Listen to this Forum on Land Sharing from March 8, 2025. Islanders discuss their experiences sharing land on Cortes. You will be amazed and inspired with the variety of ways they have managed to make home ownership more affordable.
Home Energy Workshop
Learn how to save money and lower your carbon footprint at two free workshops on Tuesday, February 18th (2 pm and 6:30 pm) at Manson's Hall. Folks from Ecotrust Canada will explain how to access government rebates to upgrade your home and install heat pumps.
Information and envisioning event for the Cortes Wood Makerspace.
CWM is a project of Cortes Housing Society aiming to provide a professional woodworking shop accessible to Cortes home owners, builders and hobbyists. For more information email: CWM@cortescommunityhousing.org
Modular Housing for Rural Communities
The Cortes Housing Society and Folk U along with the BC Rural Center and the Rural Islands Economic Partnership (RIEP) are hosting an online zoom housing forum on modular housing in rural communities. You’ll meet a few of newest and most exciting modular housing manufacturers in BC, learn about their processes, and have a chance to ask them questions.
Increasing Rentals Housing Forum
Zoom Housing Forum June 15th- Increasing Rentals Rural island communities are struggling to build rental housing due to high labour and material costs and lower rents.
Cortes Renters and Land Seekers Forum
We are seeking input on housing challenges and different types of housing people are interested in, from subsidized rentals to rental housing to affordable home ownership.
Cortes Land Trust Open House
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.