When it comes to building affordable housing on Salt Spring Island, the importance of finding the right piece of property cannot be overstated.
The Islanders Working Against Violence (IWAV) organization — which operates the 74-unit Croftonbrook complex at the end of Corbett Road — knows how few such parcels are available. That’s why they were highly motivated to find a way to acquire an 11.8-acre property with an existing home, orchard and garden, and zoning for affordable housing near Ganges when it went on the market in June.
IWAV is now seeking public support to help close the deal and needs to raise $300,000 by mid-December.
IWAV first became interested in the property at 210 Norton Rd. owned by Norm and Diane Elliott more than 10 years ago, said IWAV executive director Alicia Herbert last week. The Elliotts had managed to have the acreage rezoned to accommodate 26 densities for affordable homes in the mid-2000s, but the plan did not proceed.
“There are a lot of reasons why it didn’t happen at the time and some of those reasons are gone now,” said Herbert. “The climate for development is different now.”
Having developed 54 Croftonbrook units from the ground up in a five-year period, IWAV’s board and staff know what it takes to build affordable housing on the island. They also operate a transition house and second-stage housing for women and children, a 24/7 crisis line, the Transitions Thrift Store and numerous violence prevention and community-building events.
When the Norton Road property went on the market earlier this year, IWAV knew it had to make an offer, said Herbert. Having sold another asset, IWAV had about $2 million of the $2.85 million purchase price in hand.
The vision sees IWAV services for women and children expanding due to the existing house on the property, and creation of an affordable housing project using the 26 densities already allowed by zoning.
IWAV has a solid partner for its campaign in the Salt Spring Island Foundation (SSIF).
“We’re very grateful for their partnership, and it adds a lot of legitimacy for people who aren’t familiar with IWAV,” said Herbert.
“The foundation is proud to support IWAV’s Norton Road Property Acquisition Fund and directly support the community’s urgent need for local affordable housing,” said executive director Shannon Cowan. “This $400,000 capital grant is unprecedented — it’s the foundation’s biggest one-time project contribution to date.”
As the grant is contingent on the rest of the purchase price being raised, Cowan urges the community to “help this vital project move forward and donate generously.”
Campaign organizers were also thrilled to receive a $40,000 contribution in the first week of the campaign, said Herbert.
Donations of any size are welcomed through the SSIF website, iwav.org or by calling the SSIF office at 250-537-8305. Tax receipts are issued for donations of $25 or more.
Another way to support the effort is by bidding on items in an online silent auction using the zeffy.com platform that runs from Nov. 26 to Dec. 5. Herbert said a huge range of items are available, including some unique jewellery, a Princess Luisa doll from Germany, a brand new Fendi watch, an in-home musical performance and All Out Septic services. See the link on the iwav.org website.
Helping ensure success is Herbert’s creation of a superstar advisory council of women that meets weekly to move the plan along. She notes that women working together is how IWAV was originally formed in 1992 (under a different name) in response to an act of violence in the community. Highly experienced local housing consultant Janis Gauthier is also on the project team.
For more information and updates, see the iwav.org website or future issues of the Driftwood.