The Affordable Housing Working Group published the following series of articles as part of its communications plan, in the fall of 2008. They are intended to help identify and clarify the actions and activities of the Bowen Island Municipality, and others, dedicated towards the construction of affordable housing units on the island.

Applications now available

Published November 26, 2008

Applications to register for a waitlist to purchase affordable housing units are now available. The complete registration package can be picked up at Municipal Hall, or downloaded from this site by clicking here.

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. [To read entire article, click here.]

Public invited to second Affordable Housing open house

Published November 14, 2008

The Affordable Housing Working Group (AHWG) is hosting a second open house to offer information and updates regarding the creation of affordable housing on Bowen. The meeting, on Saturday, November 22, at 10 a.m. at Cates Hill Chapel, will include the launch of the Ownership Waitlist. Qualified applicants are invited to fill out a Purchase Waitlist application form to register for an opportunity to purchase affordable housing units, when they become available.

Tim Wake, an affordable housing consultant for the Bowen Island Municipality, and members of the AHWG will be on hand to answer questions regarding the process of registration. As well, representatives from First Credit Union will be in attendance to offer advice on obtaining a pre-approved mortgage, one of the Waitlist criteria. [To read the entire article, click here.]

Open house offers solutions and next steps

Published November 7, 2008

At the close of the affordable housing open house last week, a sense of hope was palpable. An end to the drain of residents who no longer find Bowen a viable place to call home, and relief for commercial enterprises who struggle to find employees who can afford to live here appears to be in sight.

“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. [To read entire article, click here.]

Public invited to Affordable Housing meeting and launch of waitlist

Published October 17, 2008

The Bowen Island Municipality’s Affordable Housing Working Group welcomes the public to an open house and introduction of the Waitlist for the purchase of affordable housing units. The meeting is set for Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008 at the Gallery @ Artisan Square from 7:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. Everyone is welcome to hear the news regarding steps being taken towards the delivery of affordable housing on Bowen.

The meeting will offer a review of the work undertaken and achievements realized by the Bowen Community Housing Association. It will also describe policy established by the Bowen Island Municipality (BIM) and outline strategies developed to ensure that affordable housing units are included in new developments on Bowen Island. [To read entire article, click here.]

Municipality to launch waitlist for affordable housing

Published October 10, 2008

Following a careful review of how it works elsewhere and fine-tuning to make it fit just right for Bowen, the municipality has designed Ownership Unit Guidelines. These procedures outline the qualifications and waitlist process to identify eligibility and register those seeking to purchase affordable housing on Bowen. Tim Wake, working closely with the Affordable Housing Working Group, presented the Ownership Unit Guidelines to Council in September. [To read entire article, click here.]

Municipal housing corporation will help solve crisis

Published October 3, 2008

On behalf of the Bowen Community Housing Association (BCHA), in the fall of 2007, Eberle Planning and Research drafted Diverse Housing for a Diverse Community, a strategy for affordable housing on Bowen. The document was based on analysis of the comprehensive, professional Bowen Housing Needs Assessment, completed the spring of the same year, also thanks to the efforts of the BCHA.

The assessment illuminated the urgent and critical local need for an increased variety of affordable housing stock. One of the key recommended actions in the strategy called for the formation of a municipally owned not-for-profit Bowen Island Housing Corporation as a move towards addressing this need.

In September, 2007, The BCHA presented the draft Affordable Housing Strategy to municipal council. Shortly after, in acknowledgment of the seriousness of the situation, and as a way of demonstrating its commitment to “adopting a proactive, ongoing affordable housing agenda”, council moved to appoint an Affordable Housing Working Group. The volunteer group was given the task of designing tools for council and municipal staff to pursue the production of affordable housing that meets the island’s needs. [To read entire article, click here.]

Policy will help deliver affordable housing

Published September 26, 2008

The newly-minted Affordable Housing Policy of the Bowen Island Municipality is a made-on-Bowen approach to begin addressing the housing crisis. Tim Wake, an affordable housing consultant, crafted the document with direction and input from the Affordable Housing Working Group (AHWG), a committee the municipality struck one year ago. Council adopted the policy in June.

The purpose of the Affordable Housing Policy is to provide clear direction to municipal staff, the public and developers, identifying expectations related to the delivery of affordable housing. Staff will consult the policy in conjunction with rezoning applications and other opportunities that have the potential of affording amenities for the community.

“It’s a guide,” explains Wake. “It will create an environment whereby the municipality challenges developers to create a more inclusive neighbourhood.” [To read the full article, click here.]

Defining Affordable Housing

Published September 19, 2008

Many share a vision for Bowen that includes a socially and economically diverse community supported by the provision of diverse and affordable housing. But what is affordable housing exactly? [For the full article, click here.]

BIM to deliver affordable housing

Published September 12, 2008

It feels like a blow every time we hear that members of our community are leaving, forced out by the high cost of living. The lack of affordable housing on Bowen is an issue that has taken its toll and continues to threaten the economic and social stability of the island. That is why the municipally-appointed Affordable Housing Working Group (AHWG) is moving quickly to address the issue. [To read the entire article, click here.]