Kaslo Housing Society – AGM 2024 Minutes

November 19th, 2024 – 7 PM

Board members present: Kathie Hanson, Erika Bird, Tara Clapp, Wanda Ammon, John Whittaker, Erika Cizek, 10 KHS members.

  1.  Call to order – 7:04 PM. Kathie will chair today’s AGM.
  2. Quorum verified
  3. Approval of 2023 AGM Minutes
  4. Treasurer’s Report – Presented by Tara Clapp (attached) – approved
    1. Tara moved that the membership confirms the hiring of Childs Chanton to provide an independent audit of the KHS. Approved.
  5.  Presentation by Erika Bird, Director
    1. Erika shared a very informative presentation with overviews of existing affordable housing options in New Denver, Nakusp, the Slocan Valley, and Kaslo, and potential future options.
    2. She identified key challenges that these communities and their housing organizations were experiencing. The most common challenge consistent across each community was that volunteer capacity is limited.
    3. New housing projects are in the works in each community she featured. These efforts encompass a range of approaches, including purchasing existing homes, constructing new housing, and working with homeowners to construct laneway homes.
    4. She also provided an in-depth overview of the challenges we are facing with creating more affordable housing in Kaslo. She encouraged audience members to think about creative approaches to expanding affordable housing options here, suggesting things like co-ops, community land trusts, or small homes on small lots.
  6.  Report from the Chair – approved
    1. Presented by Kathie.
    2. It has been a busy year for the society as we moved into the role of managing and maintaining the Penny Lane apartment building. We currently have full occupancy with a waiting list of 21.
    3. There were some minor construction deficiencies with a few that are still outstanding but otherwise we are pleased to tell you that the building is operating as it should.
    4. We have recently applied for a Transformation Grant from the Community Housing Transformation Centre. This grant will help us engage with other housing groups in small communities in the region to consolidate our joint knowledge and identify experiences and barriers faced and how they were able to get past those barriers to achieve success.
    5. We believe that this shared knowledge will rejuvenate these groups and achieve our overarching goal of increasing community constructed and operated affordable housing in very small rural communities of less than 2500 persons.
    6. It has been a privilege to serve on this board and we will continue to look for opportunities to increase the numbers of affordable housing units in Kaslo.
  7. Election of board members

    1 year left of 2-year terms Kathie Hanson
    Tara Clapp
    Erika Cizek
    Standing for 2-year terms Kevin Flaherty
    Erika Bird
    None opposed
    Nomination by Erika Bird Jenny Parkinson
    None opposed
    Kathie wishes to thank Alexandra, John, and Wanda for their service on the board.
  8. Move to adjourn – 8:08 PM