Tag Archives: Cortes Worker Shortage

Housing, Tourism

When the Invisible Hand Fumbles: The AIRBnB Phenomenon

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It’s pretty common knowledge that we have a housing crisis on Cortes. In fact, there’s a “housing crisis” in many — perhaps most — popular or attractive places in North America and Europe right now. One of the factors often mentioned is AirBnB. This phenomenon (AirBnB now has global impact and qualifies as a Phenomenon!) vividly illustrates the predicament of “good for one is not necessarily good for all” — also sometimes known as “smart for one, dumb for all”.

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Housing, Politics

SRD endorses Cortes Island application for 3% tax on short term rentals

Cortes Island just passed a major hurdle on the road to adopting a 3% tax on short term rentals. In the first meeting of the new board, the Strathcona Regional District unanimously voted to write a letter of support, which will accompany the Cortes Community Housing Society’s application to the provincial government for a Municipal and Regional District Tax (MRDT). 

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Development, Housing

What’s ahead for Rainbow Ridge in 2022 and 23?

Executive Director Sandra Wood discussed the Cortes Community Housing Society’s achievements in 2021, when the Rainbow Ridge affordable housing project will be shovel ready and what lies ahead after it is finished.

“We ended the year so strongly!” she exclaimed.

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Housing, Poverty

Who WIll Be Left? Cortes Island Housing crisis

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[Editorial by Bill Dougan, reprinted with permission and some editing; this article first appeared in Tideline on Jan 15, 2021]

As long as I have resided on Cortes Island, housing has been an issue. In my earlier days many folks had housing most of the year, but would move out to allow the owners to enjoy their property during the summer months. This was not an ideal situation but it now appears, in hindsight, the Good Ol’ Days.

This year we have 18 families residing on the Gorge Harbour Marina Resort property; most of these people are here because they cannot find a place to live. Some of these people have lived on Cortes Island for years, built a life here, have friends and children here… but now find themselves with no place to stay on a permanent basis .

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