Here‘s What We’ve Discovered So Far

Through dedicated knowledge sharing, ongoing relationship building and regional community engagement, the Housing Now Project has begun data collection via a survey / questionnaire platform, and the results are coming in! 

Here are some of the patterns we are beginning to see.

  • Gulf Island Businesses are coming forward to support this initiative
  • Gulf Island Non – Profits and Charitable organizations are being impacted by the workforce housing shortage
  • Island community members are coming forward, online and in-person, in support of the ingenuity and importance of this project
  • Island community Hosts, who recognize the need,  are coming forward with accommodation opportunities
  • Survey respondents & in-person interviewees are expressing frustration over there not being an immediate and ‘actionable’ housing initiative in the Southern Gulf Islands

Southern Gulf Island Housing Initiatives 

As the housing shortage is a critical concern in the Southern Gulf Islands, there are several housing initiatives both historically and currently operating on each individual island; each has a slightly different focus but all are working toward the same objective, affordable housing solutions for all ages  within the Southern Gulf Islands. 

Pender Island

Pender Islands Housing Society

Has operated Plum Tree Court; in partnership with BC Housing, since 1988. This registered charity hosts six independent low – cost units, designated for the Island’s 55+ population. This three acre Canal Road property has approved zoning for 8 more rental units. These additional affordable housing units would be inclusive to all ages,and two units would accommodate larger family groups. A fundraising project has begun to facilitate the expansion.

SGI Housing Coalition:

In addition to the original three housing societies from Mayne and Galiano, the Coalition now includes the Pender Island Housing Society, Salt Spring Housing Council, Salt Spring Solutions, Islanders Working Against Violence, Pender Island Housing Coalition.

If Funded:

  • formalize Southern Gulf Islands Housing Coalition by registering it as a Non Profit Society with a board of directors
  • develop a Navigator Team to provide leadership, guidance with finances, communication as well as support and assistance with projects,
  • contract a project management and administration team
  • establish a working relationship with various local governments and corporations, ie Capital Regional District, Islands Trust, British Columbia Housing,
  • form a resource library
  • create an application portal
  • develop various pilot projects

Mayne Island

Mayne Island Housing Society:

This incorporated non – profit endeavors to relieve poverty by providing residents of Mayne Island with affordable housing for low to modest income earners in their community. With a generous land donation in 2020, awaiting rezoning, MIHS has begun business and development planning; having retained a professional housing consultant, of a ten unit multi – generational housing opportunity. The Mayne Island Housing Society has been awarded charitable status through the Canada Revenue Agency.

Galiano Island

Galiano Housing Society

The Galiano Housing Society, has been providing housing on a non- profit basis to Galiano seniors, since 1975. The Page Drive Seniors Residence provides 16 units of reasonable cost rental accommodation for the local senior population, under the management of the Galiano Housing Society.

Gulf Islands Galisle Affordable Rental Housing Society: (GIGARHS)

Incorporated in 2018, this non -profit society’s goal is to build and manage affordable rental housing, relieving poverty in the community by ensuring accessibility for the low to moderate income households of Galiano. Currently awaiting rezoning for two hectares of land on which there is momentum to construct twelve affordable housing units. 

Galiano Affordable Living Initiative: (GALI)

As an incorporated non – profit society, since spring of 2020, GALI has the goal of constructing and managing affordable rental units for low and moderate income residents of Galiano. The Galiano Green project aims to create 20 units in four multi – family complexes; 20% of the rental units will be built to accommodate all levels of physical accessibility. 

Galiano Cottage Co-op

The beginnings of a non-profit housing cooperative on Galiano Island that intends to hold long-term leases on a large number of single-family cottages, each on a different piece of privately owned property. Utilizing the unused cottage rights of Galiano properties, the Co-op will support the construction, administration and maintenance  of a series of 2 bed room, sustainably built, one level dwellings. 

Saturna Island

Saturna Senior Citizens’ Building Society:

Created with the purpose of operating a charitable institution that constructs, provides,leases, maintains, as well as, manages or owns one or more elder care low rental housing projects on Saturna. This incorporated non – profit runs Carefree Court, a four unit building on which property had been zoned for an additional four units.The SSCBS receives funding from BC Housing to offset mortgage payments on their land, which falls within the Agricultural Land Reserve.

Disclaimer Regarding Research & Data

Research: Information contained in any documents created by The Housing NOW Project Staff, has been created solely as a resource to the reader. Although we are providing these resources to the public it is up to you as an individual to conduct your own due diligence to ensure that any framework, housing or otherwise, conforms with your particular jurisdiction(s) whether that be the CRD, municipality, the Islands Trust, or any other governing body.

Data Collection: It is important to note that regarding surveys, questionnaires, and data collection there is no established threshold for defining a high response rate. What we do know is the higher the response rate the more accurate and valid the prospective observations are. As we collect more data and more residents complete surveys, and questionnaires, and provide more qualitative responses these patterns may change. 

(July 2022)