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 of housing on this land starting with the construction of 24 rental townhomes adjacent to the firehall and Mansons Hall property. This project utilizes 6 acres of the 51 acre property. We are also working to develop an affordable home ownership model on the southern part of the property accessed off of Cemetery road.
Rental Housing
Utilizing a BC Housing pre-development loan, we finalized the design for the 6-acre site. We have developed a renewable district energy plan with funding from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and with $140,000 from the Strathcona Regional District we built a road to access the site. We are currently planning to build the project in phases of 4 units per phase, of mainly 2-bedroom units. We aim to utilize local materials, labor, pursue high levels of energy and water efficiency.
As you will likely recall, CHS applied for funding from BC Housing 3 times. Given that we didn’t receive the funding, the CHS board decided to develop the first phase of the project without BC Housing subsidies. The first part of this work entailed clearing several acres of land for the road, parking area, houses, and utilities. At present, we have almost completed our solar-powered Community Building, which houses the power and water for the complex and includes a community laundromat, wheelchair-accessible shower, space to gather, office and guest-room. We have also poured the foundations for the first two townhomes and installed the septic system.
Solar-powered Community Building
Duplex footing
Duplex plans
Septic tank installation
Affordable Home Ownership
We have heard from the community that there is strong desire for people to have access to land to build their own homes, so we are exploring an affordable home ownership project. This project would make ¼-½ acre sites available for affordable 99- year leases. The sites would have access to shared septic, water and electricity so people can focus on building their own homes. This project is still being developed. Please reach out to us if you are interested in being a part of this project.