About Us

OUR MANDATE - WHAT WE DO

At the Cowichan Housing Association (CHA), we believe that stable, secure, accessible and affordable housing is foundational to healthy individuals, families and communities. We work to increase affordable housing options and to reduce homelessness in the Cowichan Region through research, community development, homelessness prevention programming and facilitating affordable housing development.

 

We build community capacity for increasing housing by:

  • Doing the research and analysis to assess needs and gaps, and ensure that we are planning for the spectrum of needs in our local communities
  • Compiling the data needed to support funding applications
  • Providing the framework to connect the parties and facilitate collaboration to move key projects forward
  • Promoting best practices and innovative solutions​​

 

The need for housing exceeds the ability of the market and the capacity of the not for profit sectors to fulfill that need. There is both a lack of financial resources and personnel to enable development and implementation of housing plans.

 

The Regional Housing Service assists in building the capacity of project proponents to carry their projects forward to completion and to leverage funding from senior levels of government to be able to complete projects.

 

The Attainable Housing Strategy: In April of 2019, Cowichan Housing Association developed the Attainable Housing Strategy for the CVRD that identifies clear priorities and targets for success.

 

OUR HISTORY

Cowichan Housing Association is the outcome of eight years of successful work by the Regional Affordable Housing Directorate (RAHD), a committee under Social Planning Cowichan (SPC).

 

Between 2007-2009, RAHD’s achievements included a report titled Inadequate Shelter in the Cowichan, and a series of community consultations on affordable housing and homelessness prevention. This work culminated in an Affordable Housing Strategy for the Cowichan Region.

 

In the spring of 2011, RAHD/Social Planning Cowichan was invited by the Cowichan Valley Regional Hospital District (CVRHD) to consult with the community regarding a substantial amount of funds that could be available to start implementing the Housing Strategy. RAHD held four community sessions and highlighted a dozen different housing projects and homelessness prevention programs. One of the main recommendations from these consultations was to form a new association which could then move forward with implementing many of the project ideas identified during these session.

 

Cowichan Housing Association was incorporated In January of 2015 to evolve and grow the work of RAHD, and to broaden community efforts for affordable housing and homelessness prevention. The Board of Social Planning Cowichan is pleased to see this committee grow into a strong association capable of embracing the community-identified mandate around homelessness prevention and creating affordable housing.

HIGHLIGHTS
  • Since 2016, leveraged approximately $240,000 in grants from the Homelessness Prevention Strategy for provision of Ready to Rent Tenant and Landlord Education, Community Information and Education, Tenant Information and Referrals, Emergency Assistance for rental subsidies and hydro disconnections.

 

  • Leveraged $154,000 for a grant from the Homelessness Partnering Strategy to address youth homelessness through the Close to Home: Housing First for Youth Project that has developed a Youth Housing First Plan and conducted a region-wide Youth Homelessness Needs Assessment.

 

  • Worked with key community partners to host two community forums, plan and launch the Cowichan Housing and Homelessness Coalition to coordinate efforts for homelessness prevention.

 

  • Collaborated with the Coalition to develop a Plan to Address Homelessness.  Everyone Deserves a Home Community Report, June 2017.

 

  • Continues to provide a number of education forums regarding Affordable Housing.

 

  • In 2018 developed and successfully established an Annual Financial Contribution Services in the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) with the adoption of Bylaw 4201. Creating the Regional Housing Trust Fund to assist with providing programs and services related to affordable housing and homelessness prevention in the Cowichan region.