Latest News
Get our latest community updates and invitations to events & activities.
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.
Land Share Models: A Learning Forum
Thanks to everyone who joined us on March 8th to discuss different models of land sharing and to learn from islanders who have decades of experience sharing land on Cortes. It was inspiring to hear about the variety of ways they have managed to make home ownership more affordable.
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? 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.
Upcoming
Events
In-Person & Online.
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.
Water Quality and Quantity
Themed “Water Quality and Quantity”, this forum featured guest panelists Darren Bond, Nick Sargent, and David Bethune and a following community discussion. This is a recording of the second monthly housing forum in April, hosted over Zoom, with 24 people in...