Mark Vonesch is facing no other candidates in the upcoming municipal election for directors to the Strathcona Regional District and he's been acclaimed to represent Area B, which is Cortes Island.

Vonesch says it's a relief not to have to run against anyone; he's excited to get to work, when the new board convenes on Nov. 9, following the vote on Oct. 15.

Vonesch says addressing the lack of affordable housing on Cortes and throughout the region is his top priority. One of his first actions will be to convene a housing summit on the island to engage citizens on the issue and come up with a plan. He already has some ideas, from creating a tiny home park to increasing property transfer taxes for the wealthy, as well as changing zoning to allow land owners to create more housing stock on existing properties.

Vonesch says he speaks from experience: only recently did he find a land based rental, after living on his boat for an extended period.

Hear about Vonesch's plans in the interview below with CKTZ News: