Cortes Island’s most economically challenged residents appear to be facing another bleak winter this year.
Filipe Figueira, Coordinator of the Cortes Island Food Bank, explained, “We’ve definitely seen a huge rise in general economic distress over the last couple of years. I think that covers two key areas. One is food insecurity, the other one is housing insecurity, which feeds into economic insecurity as well.”
Continue reading Rising Food and Housing Insecurity on Cortes Island
The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) wants a list of School District 72’s properties on Cortes Island and in Area C. As Regional Director Robyn Mawhinney pointed out, in a letter to the other rural Directors, some of them ‘may be a good fit for a housing project.’ Mawhinney proposed that the SRD ask for a list.
At the Board’s August 21 meeting, Campbell River Director Susan Sinnott made an amendment to Mawhinney’s motion:
“I’m going to say that a letter be sent to School District 72, inquiring whether or not there are lands available for either the school district to develop for housing, or over which they have an interest, that they own or have a license of occupation or right of access that they’d be interested in disposing to the Regional District.”
Continue reading SRD Wants A List Of School District Properties For Potential Housing DevelopmentFrom the desk of Regional Director Robyn Mawhinney
Hello, It sure seemed a bustling August long weekend with parked cars lining roadsides in many popular locations. It’s nice sharing our island with visitors here to appreciate it; we are so fortunate to live in this beautiful community. The July 24 SRD Board meeting resulted in several decisions and items to report on: the Schellinck proposal, wharves, short-term rentals in the Outer Discovery Islands, and two upcoming public hearings.
Continue reading Director’s Report: Gowlland Harbour Views, wharves, short-term rentals + moreFrom the desk of Regional Director Robyn Mawhinney
Midsummer greetings!
Housing is an important issue here in Area C, across the region and our province. This report provides a housing-related update on some of what’s happening locally.
In 2008, the city of Berkely had a problem. They wanted to hasten the adoption of solar technology, but the $20,000 to $30,000 bill was too steep for a lot of homeowners. Cisco DeVries, the Mayor’s Chief of Staff, came up with what Scientific American would later call one of the top 20 “world-changing” ideas of the year. The capital would come from private investors, but homeowners could finance energy upgrades through their property taxes. Since then, Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) programs have provided more than $13 billion for solar installations and energy saving improvements for homes and businesses in the United States. Cortes Island resident Brian Scott would like to see PACE made available to British Columbians.
“I represent two things, an idea and an organization. The idea is the PACE financing tool, which will not be ‘the magic bullet’ but is very close when it comes to our need to address climate change quickly. PACE specifically addresses the fact that roughly a third of our greenhouse gas emissions come from residential and commercial buildings. I’m representing the concept and promoting it. I also represent PACE Alberta and PACE Canada,” he explained.
Continue reading Calling For A Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Program in BC
