ISLA - Islanders Secure Land Association
Community Outreach
Come visit us on the Co-op porch to talk about affordable housing on Hornby Island.
Bring us your thoughts, concerns, and inspirations!
Ask Masoud, Jenny, Sharon, or Cindy about when the next outreach day is scheduled.
ISLA Movie Fund raiser
"Fierce Light"
Saturday, March 20th
7:30pm @ Hornby Hall
ISLA is very proud to present "Fierce Light", the award winning documentary film by Velcrow Ripper.
Fueled by the belief that another world is possible, acclaimed filmmaker Velcrow Ripper (Scared Sacred) takes us on a journey from Oaxaca to Quebec City, to South Central LA and other places where activists are motivated by love. Hailed as "achingly beautiful", this film was the audience favorite at the Vancouver International Film Festival.
Alice Walker calls it "a human sunrise" - Ripper calls it "Fierce Light." With stunning cinematography, a compelling soundtrack, and dramatic stories of resistance and transformation, FIERCE LIGHT: When Spirit Meets Action reveals what is possible when human beings, faced with a world in crisis, rise to their absolute best. (95 minutes)
Admission is by donation all proceeds to benefit ISLA, working toward affordable, stable housing on Hornby Island. There will be an opportunity to chat with ISLA members and purchase or renew your membership before and after the film.
Theatre concessions by Julia. "Fierce Light" is the feature film. It will be proceeded by a showing of "Hannah's Story," starting at 7:30 pm.
When she was just 5 years old, Hannah Taylor spotted her first homeless person in the back alleys of Winnipeg. This experience not only troubled her but it drove her to act, leading to the establishment of the impressive Ladybug Foundation. Under Hannah's leadership, that charity has raised over a million dollars, literally making change for people lacking life's basic needs. Hannah's message is disarmingly straightforward, "share a little of what you have and always care about others." Whether it's organizing Big Boss lunches, speaking to students or to a prime minister, Hannah's capacity to help others is huge, unflagging, and, ultimately, humbling. (27 minutes)
A Community Land Trust
Committed to Securing Affordable Housing Opportunities for Island Residents
Why affordable housing is needed
Property on Hornby and Denman Islands has become increasingly attractive to non-resident buyers, driving home prices ever higher and limiting the availability of secure rental accommodation. It is now very difficult for islanders living and working in the community to achieve stable year-round housing. Valued community members are leaving. Businesses are having trouble recruiting employees. Property owners are having to pay more for help. Volunteers required to keep community services going are getting harder to find. School enrolment has plunged.
Accessible housing is essential for the community's economic, social and cultural well-being. It is hard for residents to fully participate in community-building when their housing situation is constantly uncertain. It will be hard for other residents to continue living here when there is a scarcity of people to provide the services we all need and to keep businesses going, community culture alive and activities happening
How a community land trust can address housing needs
A community land trust can secure stable housing for residents by:
- holding land in trust to eliminate the price of land from housing costs;
- enabling residents of modest means to own their own homes on land leased from the land trust;
- ensuring that housing is perpetually affordable to subsequent owners by capping resale prices.
Who will have access to housing on ISLA land
ISLA is developing selection criteria which will likely reflect the practices of other community land trusts. Succesful applicants will have to be island residents of modest means whose annual income is below a certain level, while also being sufficient to support the financing of their home.
There is a wide range of residents in housing needs, including single people, couples and families with children. We hope to offer a number of housing scenarios to meet various needs. It is unlikely that ISLA will initially be in a position to provide rental housing.
Where ISLA housing could be sited
ISLA does not have the financial resources to purchase land. At this stage land acquisition is dependent upon donations.
On Hornby, ISLA has been offered the donation of a 10-20 acre parcel, subject to land use decisions and subdivision approval. It is in a prime location: on Central Road, half-way between the school and the Co-op. Housing sites would be secluded from public view.
It is possible, subject to zoning and government policy, for ISLA in future to have acesss to Crown land in the Hornby public use area for community housing. ISLA can also accept the donation of developed lots for housing purposes, or of agricultural parcels to secure land for future food production.
When ISLA expects to having housing opportunities available
ISLA expects to receive the 20 acre land donation from the Weiss family this year, 2010, hopefully by early summer.
ISLA is preparing a development plan to submit a succesful application for a zoning amendment. Financial and other arrangements will need to be in place to prepare the site and establish services (road, drainage, hydro, water, sewage treatment). How long this will take will depend, to a large extent, upon the active involvement of community members.