We have initiated a Cortes Community Land Trust.

The idea behind the newly formed Cortes Community Land Trust is that instead of only building new structures, which given the high price of new construction is not always cost-effective, we also seek out suitable existing homes to buy, which will be rented to fulfill community housing needs.

We are thrilled to tell you that the first such purchase by the Cortes Housing Society was made in 2024.  Thanks to a generous donor, the CHS purchased 671 Sutil Point Road and named it “Orchard Village.”

This amazing property has two houses (one 2-bedroom home and one 4-bedroom home). The smaller one has been rented to the Cortes Community Health Association to solve the need to house the rotating team of doctors who staff our clinic. The other home has been rented to two long-time residents, who had formerly been displaced every summer to accommodate tourists. There’s also a large shop on the property that the community voted to turn into the Cortes Wood Makerspace.

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.

The Cortes Housing Society will continue to work at every viable angle and option to secure the housing needed to keep our community strong and diverse.

Thank you for your ongoing support and please reach out if you are able and willing to donate either time, ideas, or money to continue to make this work happen.