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Building a Stronger Community Through Housing

We are committed to developing innovative solutions to address the pressing
need for year-round housing on Cortes Island.

See Our Projects
See Our Projects
Cortes Island Housing Society

Some statistics

The Problem

Cortest Island Housing Society
Cortes Island Housing Society

Unstable Housing

Every spring, many renters have to vacate their housing for the tourist season.

Cortes Island Housing Society

High Demand

There are not enough year-round rentals and owners are reluctant to rent.

Cortes Island Housing Society

Empty Homes

Approximately 240 homes are empty
for most of the year.

Cortes Island Housing Society

Living Conditions

30% of residents don’t have an indoor toilet, and 8% don’t have hot water.

People are struggling to remain on island
and the community we love is at risk. We only have a
few years to change direction before it’s too late.

Community Solutions

Our Projects

Rainbow Ridge

Rainbow Ridge

Building Housing at Rainbow Ridge Thanks to community input and financial contributions, the Cortes Housing Society has purchased 51 acres of flat, residentially-zoned land, within a five-minute walk of central Mansons Landing. We are working to develop multiple types...

read more
Cortes Community Land Trust

Cortes Community Land Trust

By purchasing existing homes, we avoid the high costs of developing raw land, and we ensure that existing housing on Cortes is used for year-round housing rather than purchased by off-islanders for part-time/summer use.

read more
MRDT For Affordable Housing

MRDT For Affordable Housing

In an effort to combat the lack of housing for residents, the regional district is now applying a 3% municipal and regional district tax (MRDT) on vacation rentals, with the money raised going toward affordable housing projects. This is the first time in Canada a tax...

read more
Rainbow Ridge

Rainbow Ridge

Building Housing at Rainbow Ridge Thanks to community input and financial contributions, the Cortes Housing Society has purchased 51 acres of flat, residentially-zoned land, within a five-minute walk of central Mansons Landing. We are working to develop multiple types...

read more
Cortes Community Land Trust

Cortes Community Land Trust

By purchasing existing homes, we avoid the high costs of developing raw land, and we ensure that existing housing on Cortes is used for year-round housing rather than purchased by off-islanders for part-time/summer use.

read more
MRDT For Affordable Housing

MRDT For Affordable Housing

In an effort to combat the lack of housing for residents, the regional district is now applying a 3% municipal and regional district tax (MRDT) on vacation rentals, with the money raised going toward affordable housing projects. This is the first time in Canada a tax...

read more

What’s Underway

Initiatives

Increasing Rentals in Rural Communities

Rural island communities are struggling to build rental housing due to high labour and material costs and lower rents. As a result, there’s very little rental available in many communities. We are hosting conversations to learn about rental housing programs and progress being made.

Providing Access to Land

In addition to building rental housing on the newly purchased Rainbow Ridge property, we aim to make small lots available to Cortes residents for long-term leasing on which they can build their own homes. Many Cortes residents have the resources, skills and interest to build but lack access to land.

Expanding Land-Use Through Zoning Bylaws

The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) is currently rewriting the zoning bylaws that govern how many homes can be built on properties on Cortes. The CHS is working to ensure that the new zoning bylaws will support more housing on existing properties.

Affordable Home Ownership

At the Home Seekers forum, we discussed the idea of creating affordable homeownership on part of the Rainbow Ridge land.  In this project, people can build their own homes on land with a 99-year affordable lease from the Housing Society. Home sites would be serviced with electricity, water and septic, which would provide further savings to homeowners.

Increasing Rentals in Rural Communities

Rural island communities are struggling to build rental housing due to high labour and material costs and lower rents. As a result, there’s very little rental available in many communities. We are hosting conversations to learn about rental housing programs and progress being made.

Providing Access to Land

In addition to building rental housing on the newly purchased Rainbow Ridge property, we aim to make small lots available to Cortes residents for long-term leasing on which they can build their own homes. Many Cortes residents have the resources, skills and interest to build but lack access to land.

Expanding Land-Use Through Zoning Bylaws

The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) is currently rewriting the zoning bylaws that govern how many homes can be built on properties on Cortes. The CHS is working to ensure that the new zoning bylaws will support more housing on existing properties.

Affordable Home Ownership

At the Home Seekers forum, we discussed the idea of creating affordable homeownership on part of the Rainbow Ridge land.  In this project, people can build their own homes on land with a 99-year affordable lease from the Housing Society. Home sites would be serviced with electricity, water and septic, which would provide further savings to homeowners.

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Help us provide affordable housing solutions to our community.

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