What is cohousing? According to the Belterra website:

Cohousing is a concept that came to North America from Denmark where it emerged about 40 years ago. It describes neighbourhoods that combine the autonomy of private dwellings with the advantages of shared resources and community living.

In North America 127 cohousing communities have been completed since 1991 (6 of which are in BC), and another 118 plus are in various stages of development.

More information on cohousing is available on the Canadian Cohousing Network.

Now is the time to apply to be added to the Purchase Waitlist for Affordable Housing. Not sure why you should make the move to register your interest and identify your housing preference? Click on the short clip below for an explanation as to why you should act now. Tim Wake, Bowen’s affordable housing consultant was recently interviewed and offers some advice, courtesy of Bowen TV.

Tim Wake, affordable housing consultant and former general manager of the Whistler Housing Authority, introduced the applications at an open house, hosted by the AHWG and held last weekend at Cates Hill Chapel. He invited qualified residents of Bowen to take the time to fill out and submit the forms. Though there are currently no affordable housing units under construction, securing a spot on the waitlist is a good move, explained Wake.

For one thing, information submitted will help determine the needs and type of units in demand by community residents. And, once affordable units are built, those on the list will have first chance at purchasing the non-market housing.

For the next three months, applications received will be ordered according to a system that gives points for years of residency on Bowen. This will give long-term residents and those with families a slight advantage. However, after February 24, applications will be accepted and added to the list on a first come first served basis.

Eligibility for the waitlist is explained fully in the guidelines that accompany application forms. Applicants must be residents, or full-time employees working for a local business, or retirees who lived on Bowen five out of six years prior to their retirement. Property owners are not eligible to apply, nor is anyone who has owned property previously up to five years from the date of application.

Applications must include pre-approval for a mortgage from a financial institution. That step can be taken right here on the island, explained Wendy Wanvig, who attended the meeting last week. Wanvig is a Financial Services Representative for First Credit Union. She said the credit union is eager to assist residents in meeting this requirement. Additionally, First Credit Union has agreed to cover the cost of legal fees associated with the registration of the mortgage, as well as the cost of an appraisal.

Applications will initially be processed by Wake, who has been contracted by the municipality to set up an arms-length housing corporation. However, once the corporation is established, it will be responsible for administering the waitlist.

Wake explained that the housing corporation will operate as a financially sustainable “lean and efficient” organization. Its role is to ensure that Bowen offers a diversity of housing types to meet the housing needs of residents with a wide range of ages, incomes, occupations and household types. In addition to creating the opportunity to purchase affordable housing units, the corporation also will have a mandate to ensure that the island’s housing stock includes a sufficient number of rental units. A waitlist for that type of housing will be launched once a rental project is underway.

For more information about the application process please visit the Affordable Housing Working Group website at www.bihousing.org. Please email any questions to contact@bihousing.org.

The AHWG will introduce explain and distribute owner wait-list applications. Affordable housing consultant, Tim Wake, will answer questions and offer explanations as to the process of registration. As well, representatives from First Credit Union will be on hand to offer advice on obtaining a pre-approved mortgage.

“Good things are coming. I think that’s exciting,” Mayor Bob Turner had stated earlier in the evening. The mayor was referring to the next steps planned by the Affordable Housing Working Group (AHWG), host of the assembly that attracted approximately 40 people to the Gallery at Artisan Square.

A mixed crowd of both new and long-term residents, representatives from the development community, housing activists, and a number of candidates for the next municipal election came out to listen and ask questions about the creation of affordable housing on Bowen. The public wanted to know whether it could truly be built, when it would be available, what it would look like and who it would serve.

And Tim Wake, a housing consultant who has been working with the municipal AWHG, adeptly addressed all the questions. Wake, who has an impressive track record of helping communities solve their housing needs, has introduced a novel approach to ensuring Bowen’s diversity is retained. It’s what Elizabeth Ballantyne, the chair of the AHWG called “a radically new concept in North America.” That is, housing which is not subsidized but price controlled.

Ballantyne underlined the steps that Bowen has moved through – from the eruption of a grassroots initiative concerned about loss of its community members, the establishment of the Bowen Community Housing Association, the raising of significant funds for a needs assessment and the development of a housing strategy. These achievements, gained over a short two-year period are remarkable, noted Ballantyne. They, along with the municipality’s decision to legalize secondary suites, adopt an affordable housing policy, provide seed money of $35,000 and assign the AWHG to begin the work of a housing corporation have created the conditions that will guarantee that a mixed community can thrive on these shores.

We all recognize that Bowen needs a housing continuum, said Ballantyne at the meeting. That includes housing of all sizes and shapes that will offer primary shelter to those with special needs, seniors, young families and everyone else “who wants to belong here.”

And though no one would argue that it’s not a minute too soon to move decisively to create affordable housing, Bowen may be more fortunate that some.

“Compared to other communities we have gone at lightening speed,” Sara Baker, the founder and current chair of the community housing association noted. “We have been spurred on by the vision and the tremendous commitment and love of Bowen that everyone has. We realize there’s a bit more process to get through, but hang on, we’re going to bring back that diversity that is so important to Bowen.”

Wake agreed with Baker, and commended community members and a supportive local government. “You’re doing well. It takes time. You are showing diligence and great leadership.”

Nearing the completion of its mandate, the AHWG has already developed waiting list guidelines and is finalizing the application process for qualified applicants who wish to register for an opportunity to purchase affordable housing. It is currently working with municipal council to ensure the approval of covenants that will regulate the purchase and sale of affordable housing units.

Affordable housing purchase application forms will be available at the next AGWG open house at Cates Hill Chapel on November 22. Everyone is welcome to attend that informational session, which will begin at 10 a.m.

Meanwhile, Wake is developing a business plan, a sustainable financing model, and governance structure for the soon-to-be established community housing corporation. The small arms-length organization will “champion the development of housing” without burdening the taxpayer.

This report, and other articles concerning efforts and actions of the AHWG and others can be viewed on the website of the Bowen Island Municipality. Please visit www.bimbc.ca, and click on Affordable Housing under the Current Topic menus. The articles are also available on the Bowen Community Housing Association’s website at http://bowenhousing.org/. Watch for the launch of the official website of the AHWG at http://bihousing.org/ later this month. Articles, key documents and other resources, and a downloadable Waitlist application form will be available at the site. Articles, key documents, other resources, and a downloadable Waitlist application form will be available at the site.