The Cochrane Society for Housing Options (CSHO) is looking for members to join their board and to connect Cochranites with basic needs.
The local non-profit housing organization ‘promotes access to safe, suitable and diverse housing appropriate to the incomes of Cochrane citizens’; this is accomplished through their rental and home ownership programs, education initiatives and through their retail store — Home Reno Heaven.
“We’re finding we’re short of board members and some of our members are coming to the end of their terms in 2015,” said CSHO housing coordinator, Corinne Burns.
Volunteers would be required to attend monthly board meetings September through June and to participate in specific committees — from building and finance to education and advocacy to Home Reno Heaven.
Burns said people with a variety of skill sets are welcome to join — with consideration of a busy 2015 on the horizon.
A 13-unit, two-bedroom housing project at the Trading Post in Sunset Ridge is the title rental project for the 2014-15 season.
“Our goal is to raise $100,000 to go toward the mortgage,” said Burns, emphasizing that the more that is fundraised, the lower the rental rates can be set.
Affordable housing rentals through CSHO are set at least 10 per cent below current market value for renters that qualify based on income thresholds per household, as set forth by the province.
The CSHO staff is encouraging Cochranites to support in two major ways right now.
One is to visit inmybackyardcontest.com, select ‘Category 2- Community Facility Improvement Grant’ and ‘New Rental Housing for Low-Moderate Income Families’ (picture of the blue HomeStead building).
Each person can only vote once and the contest deadline is Oct. 31, where a winner will be selected to receive a $5,000 grant from CIR Realty to go toward a community enhancement initiative.
The second way is to purchase $5 United Way tickets for a raffle that will send a lucky winner on a free trip for two to anywhere WestJet flies. Tickets are available at Cochrane Family Community and Support Services, the Clothesline, the Cochrane CookHouse and Home Reno Heaven. Shoppers who purchase discounted renovations supplies at Home Reno Heaven are directly supported CSHO initiatives.
To learn more, contact Corinne Burns at 403-851-2261 or [email protected].
