Tag Archives: Rainbow Ridge

Housing, Poverty

Rural Housing Survey 2: Directors first responses

The Strathcona Regional District’s rural directors responded to the Housing Needs Report at the Electoral Areas Services Committee meeting on Wednesday, June 15. 

Sandy Mackay, of M’akola Development Services, gave the Directors a presentation.

“We began earlier this year and continued throughout winter and spring of 2022. The study was extensive. It included a selection of key informant interviews, which I believe almost all of you participated in, as well as a community survey that garnered responses from 437 households. Which is, to be frank, quite remarkable given the size and geographic spread of your regional district,” he began.  

See: Rural Housing Survey: unaffordable rents, vacant houses, Airbnbs

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Housing, Poverty

Rural Housing Survey 1: unaffordable rents, vacant houses, Airbnbs

Forty-five percent (45%) of the respondents renting homes in rural areas say they pay more than they can afford, according to the SRD Electoral Areas Housing Needs Report.

Statistics from the 2016 census support this. 41% of renters and 9% of home owners in the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) paid more than 30% of their income on accommodation. 

“This survey sheds light on an issue that is kind of hidden. People that are living in unstable housing aren’t necessarily telling everyone about it because it can be embarrassing. ‘I can’t afford the right housing,’ or ‘I’m living in an overcrowded place,’ or ‘I’m having to choose between good food or paying my rent,’” said Mark Vonesch from the Cortes Community Housing Society, one of the key stakeholders in this study. 

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Housing

Patience required to get shovels in the ground for Cortes Island affordable housing project

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

By Greg Osoba, CKTZ News, through an LJI grant from Canada-info.ca

Conceived in 2018, the 20-unit Rainbow Ridge community driven affordable rental housing development on Cortes Island is finding it is slow going to get shovels in the ground. The project was put forward as one initiative to address a severe housing shortage.

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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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Community

Summer fundraiser launch to improve walking and bicycling trails

CKTZ News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Cortes Community Housing Society (CHS) is launching a summer fundraiser to expand and improve the trail system in the south end of Cortes Island.

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