The amount of affordable housing built,or not, in recent years to address Salt Spring’s housing crisis has been a subject of disagreement in these pages and elsewhere.
And we would agree that it’s been too little — far too late — to prevent widespread stress and an erosion of community diversity and services as much-valued working people leave the island due to lack of safe and secure accommodation.
But a sudden flurry of activity has relit the flame of hope and possibility on the housing front, and we applaud everyone involved in trying to make things happen.
Thirty-two units of supportive housing (with a staff person on site) and four affordable rentals will open imminently on Drake Road, with 18 healthcare worker units at the Lady Minto Hospital Foundation’s Bittancourt Road property not far behind.
In recent weeks we’ve learned about Island Community Services’ aspirations to create at least 30 units of affordable housing on 10 acres of land the society owns on Brinkworthy Road, and Islanders Working Against Violence’s accepted conditional offer to purchase 210 Norton Rd., already zoned for 26 units through a previous owner’s efforts. Donations will be needed to make the latter project fly; people should watch for upcoming communications about a fundraising campaign.
Just last week, Islands Trust Council agreed to waive the development application fees for a 50-unit proposal on Kings Lane property owned by the Gulf Islands Seniors Residence Association, which owns and operates Meadowbrook.
So 54 units are on the cusp of being opened. More than 100 could be created by the other three proponents, and that’s not to mention the potential for another 50 to 80 units on Drake Road, should the Capital Regional District make its presence known there.
But wait, there’s more: A meeting set for this Friday, Sept. 26 at Lions Hall at 2 p.m. will discuss a potential cohousing initiative for seniors on the island.
Even if all of the articulated projects could open their doors tomorrow, Salt Spring’s problems caused by a lack of housing would not vanish. Still, the number of developments being contemplated proves that our community has not given up on the dream of rekindling housing and resident diversity.