One reason affordable housing hasn’t been built to scale on Salt Spring — as elsewhere — is simply that it isn’t easy to do.
Several stars must align and keep twinkling for projects to get off the ground and be successful, as the Islanders Working Against Violence (IWAV) group knows from past experience.
But the Norton Road affordable housing project being proposed by IWAV now has a big head start and just needs community support to get it over the first hurdle, which is to complete the property purchase. Through the Salt Spring Island Foundation (SSIF), IWAV needs to raise $300,000 by mid-December to be assured of closing the deal in mid-January. A $400,000 SSIF contribution is contingent on the rest of the funds needed being in place by then. The foundation will provide charitable tax receipts for all amounts over $25.
For people who like to receive a good or service in exchange for their donation, an online auction is underway from Nov. 26 to Dec. 5, with all kinds of donated treasures and experiences available.
There are numerous excellent causes to donate funds to before the end of the year and the last day for 2025 charitable donations arrives, but IWAV’s Norton Road purchase is one with a hard deadline and an unfortunate outcome if it’s not met. With zoning for 26 affordable housing units on the 11.8-acre property located near Ganges, plus an existing 2,500-square-foot home, orchard, garden and water sources, the potential to make a positive difference in many people’s lives is huge.
The connection between secure housing and safety for women and children is well established, and IWAV has worked in the field for more than 30 years. In 2024 alone, more than 65 women and children used IWAV’s transition house and second-stage housing; 150 received counselling and related support services; the 24-hour crisis line answered 457 calls. IWAV’s development of some 54 new affordable housing units at Croftonbrook (added to the existing 20) has ensured secure housing for people of all genders and ages.
People often ask themselves what they can do to make a tangible difference in the lives of community members. One answer is to donate to the Norton Road acquisition fund before the middle of December, bid on an auction item by Dec. 5, or help spread the word. See iwav.org for how to contribute.