Editor’s note: The following is part of a “looking back/looking forward” series of articles solicited by the Driftwood for publication in its Jan. 1, 8 and 15, 2025 papers.
By MAIRI WELMAN & ELIZABETH FITZZALAND
For Salt Spring Solutions
Salt Spring Solutions is a small, volunteer-run, non-profit organization dedicated to balancing environmental protection with creating a vibrant, diverse and equitable community. Right now, Salt Spring is neither diverse nor equitable. Our population is aging, and it is increasingly difficult for younger community members to stay here, raise a family, work for or own a business, farm, or create art because they can’t afford to rent or own suitable long-term housing.
Since 2018 Salt Spring Solutions has been deeply immersed in understanding the complexities of and finding solutions to the island’s housing crisis. We think the primary reason for the failure to take innovative approaches to housing here is due to a lack of coordination between governments (provincial, regional and local) and a lack of visionary and savvy leadership at the political and senior management level. As an island community, self-contained and isolated by water, we could become the poster child for how to use innovative ideas to make a community that works for all its people, but our institutions seem paralyzed, and every year that passes without action means more of our vital young community members move away, and many farmers, workforce families and individuals, lower-income seniors and longstanding islanders feel pushed aside, unheard and unrepresented.
Our 2023 report, Homes for Islanders, which was written by professionals with experience in inclusive community development and peer reviewed by planning and environmental professionals, policy and governance experts and housing specialists, was designed as a starting point to address housing inequities while fostering community resilience and environmental stewardship on Salt Spring. A year after publishing the report, government responses ranged from a pat on the head and zero action from the province to paralysis at the Islands Trust to the promising new dedication of resources and staff for the creation of a Rural Housing Program at the Capital Regional District.
Ironically, many local elected officials who ran on a “housing” platform don’t seem to have a handle on public opinion here regarding housing, often deferring to a small, well-organized and vocal group of anti-housing advocates. So, we decided to test our ideas with the Salt Spring community, see what you think, and then provide that input to decision-makers.
We hosted seven focus groups with 42 participants; renters of all ages and means, local employers, people in precarious housing and the local workforce. The focus groups were held in the evening in the library. This approach fostered low-barrier, intimate and meaningful discussions, allowing us to hear directly from those who are more impacted by housing decisions, whose housing experiences are often overlooked and/or who cannot attend government meetings held during working hours.
We also interviewed 12 local housing providers: landlords of legal and illegal housing, as well as those who have or would like to build housing for other islanders. Offering a confidential one-on-one interview allowed people to be candid when discussing the challenges and motivations of providing housing, delivering valuable context and insights into the rental market on Salt Spring.
Then we cast a wide net with an online survey open to the whole community. Of the 657 people who responded, 67 per cent are homeowners. The survey ensured that the whole community could share their perspectives, helping to create a truly comprehensive understanding of public opinion on housing across the island.
We look forward to sharing the results of the whole public engagement project in the new year. In the meantime, some early findings from the online survey:
• There was significant support for ensuring that services, particularly water, are prioritized for rental and non-market housing. This reflects an understanding of the need to safeguard essential resources to support the development of affordable housing while considering the island’s sustainability.
• There is strong support for prioritizing land for rental and non-market housing. This aligns with the community’s desire to address housing needs for diverse populations, ensuring that affordable options are made available where they are most needed.
• There was concurrently strong support for pre-zoning land in Ganges for housing. This indicates that our community is in favour of planning ahead to ensure adequate housing land is available in the most suitable areas, particularly near the village, to reduce sprawl, support walkability and provide more social connection.
• The core of Ganges village is expected to be significantly impacted by sea-level rise in the coming decades; 86 per cent of our survey respondents support identifying areas outside the projected floodplain for infrastructure investment, new development and homes that the community can support.
You can read our 2023 Homes for Islanders report and learn about our housing solutions at saltspringsolutions.com. Be among the first to hear the complete results of our public engagement project in the new year by signing up for our e-newsletter.