Who We Are/About the KHS
The Kaslo Housing Society is a Canadian registered charity, and we are able to issue tax receipts for donations over $20.
Our Mandate
The Kaslo Housing Society supports social and economic health by providing innovative solutions to meet the housing needs of community members, in collaboration with other housing and service providers.
Our Mission
We make affordable housing accessible to residents of Kaslo and Area D, including but not limited to retired persons, young families and individuals in transition, service workers, and persons with fixed incomes.
The CMHC stated in their 2017 annual report, that BC has some of the lowest vacancy rates and highest rents in the country. Although Kaslo is a rural area, it is affected by the same trend currently dominating BC’s urban centres. The 2016 Census reported the rental vacancy rate in Kaslo as higher than the regional average. In 2017 the KHS conducted a rental market needs survey. According to the survey, 79% of tenants claimed they had difficulty affording their rent. 47% of those same respondents said their current living arrangement was in some way insecure, either they were in a temporary living situation or facing some pressing issues, which required them to move immediately. Among those respondents currently seeking housing, 60% said they had been looking for upwards of four months, and 30% said upwards of six months. Availability of housing was overwhelmingly identified as the number one concern among all respondents. Affordability and suitability of housing were also identified as significant concerns, after availability. Kaslo renters, on average, pay well over 30% of their monthly income on rent.
Board Members for the Year 2022-2023
Kathie Shaw Hanson – Chair
Alexandra Halliday – Vice Chair/Webmaster
Erika Cizek – Secretary
Tara Lynne Clapp, PhD, RPP, MCIP – Treasurer
Wanda Ammon – Director
Erika Bird – Director
Kevin Flaherty – Director
John Whittaker – Director
David Cheatley – Director
Current Staff
Michael Allaire – Penny Lane Building Manager
Our History
The Kaslo Housing Society was incorporated in 1998 with a vision to provide affordable supportive housing for seniors in our area. The Society has now expanded its mandate to include providing appropriate, affordable residential housing for low-income families and adult individuals, adults with disabilities and seniors.
Recent surveys and assessments have shown conclusively, that there is a shortage of appropriate and accessible affordable housing in Kaslo, and, due to aging available housing stock and Kaslo’s unique economic infrastructure, the situation is only going to get worse. Over the past 2 years, the Society has been involved with the Columbia Basin Trust/ B.C. Non-Profit Housing Association Affordable Housing Program, which provides guidance and resources to community groups working to provide affordable housing.