About Us: Cowichan Housing Association Background
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 prevent homelessness and increase affordable housing options in the Cowichan Region through research, community development, homelessness prevention programming, and facilitating affordable housing development.
Cowichan Housing Association (CHA) evolved out of the work of Social Planning Cowichan (Regional Affordable Housing Directorate). We officially incorporated on January 14, 2015.
In June of 2015, the Cowichan Valley Regional District entered into an agreement with the newly formed Cowichan Housing Association (CHA) to support CHA by providing $315, 435 to allow for the work “in dealing with the issues of homelessness in the Cowichan Valley, with the focus of homelessness prevention and working on ensuring affordable housing in the entire Cowichan region”.
Since that time, Cowichan Housing Association has developed a four year Strategic Plan and worked on several initiatives.
Cowichan Housing Association (CHA) evolved out of the work of Social Planning Cowichan (Regional Affordable Housing Directorate). We officially incorporated on January 14, 2015.
In June of 2015, the Cowichan Valley Regional District entered into an agreement with the newly formed Cowichan Housing Association (CHA) to support CHA by providing $315, 435 to allow for the work “in dealing with the issues of homelessness in the Cowichan Valley, with the focus of homelessness prevention and working on ensuring affordable housing in the entire Cowichan region”.
Since that time, Cowichan Housing Association has developed a four year Strategic Plan and worked on several initiatives.
- · Leveraged approximately $130,000 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, Rental Subsidies for emergency assistance, as well as community service guides.
- · 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 is working to support the development of three housing projects.
- · Conducted comprehensive research and data gathering to produce a series of Snapshots on Affordable Housing and Homelessness and is in the process of establishing a regional housing database.
- · Conducted a region-wide Youth Homelessness Needs Assessment
- · Worked with key community partners (Social Planning Cowichan, Our Cowichan Communities Health Network, United Way and Cowichan Division of Family Practice) to host two community forums, plan and launch a member Cowichan Coalition to Address Affordable Housing and Homelessness Prevention to coordinate efforts for homelessness prevention. During 2017 we worked with the Coalition to develop a Plan to Address Homelessness. Everyone Deserves a Home Community Report, June 2017.
- · Developed a Business Case for a Housing Trust Fund.
- · Provided a number of education forums regarding Affordable Housing including one for Local Governments.
- · Continued to facilitate partnerships toward development of Affordable Housing.
