Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents -Robyn Mawhinney identified housing as the #1 issue in this upcoming October 15 election.“There are already two levels of government, federal and provincial, which are working on housing. I'm not sure that we can ever completely solve it, but it's really important that we tackle it and there's many small shifts that could happen,” explained the candidate for Regional Director in Area C.“We're going to require community engagement and community buy-in so that we can agree what type of development is adequate and appropriate for our community. We really need to be mindful of local resources, the diverse economic needs of our community and maintaining our unique rural nature.”While funding for affordable housing comes from the Provincial and Federal government, Mawhinney outlined steps communities can make: Cooperative housing models, land trusts, seniors housing clusters.‘How can we integrate tiny homes into our island?’‘Float houses are a historic piece of coastal culture.’“My mom and her seven siblings were raised on a float house in Blackfish Sound. Once upon a time, I lived on a float house in Gowland Harbour. Right here in Quathiaski Cove we have a waterfront location with access to the sewer system. Yes, it would require community meetings and changing our community plan, our village plan, but it would provide a place for legal long term live aboard homes.”