New permanent housing, shelter spaces coming to Salt Spring Island
Residents of the Seabreeze Inne on Salt Spring Island are breathing a sigh of relief after the province announced new permanent homes and shelter space for the homeless and most vulnerable.
The new supportive housing project will provide 28 new, permanent homes for those experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness and will be built at 161 Drake Rd. in Ganges.
Currently, the motel is being rented by BC Housing to meet the needs of the homeless population on Salt Spring, but that will soon come to an end as the building has been sold.
The local hospital foundation has bought the Seabreeze to provide much-needed housing for health-care workers at the Lady Minto Hospital, which is understaffed due to lack of affordable housing in the region.
The project is being funded by the province and the Capital Regional District, with collaboration from BC Housing and several other organizations.
"This new project will provide permanent, safe and secure housing with supports to vulnerable members of the Salt Spring community who have struggled to find a place to live," said David Eby, Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing, in a news release.
"This successful collaboration between BC Housing, Capital Regional District, Islands Trust, Lady Minto Hospital Foundation, and Salt Spring and Southern Gulf Islands Community Services Society shows what we can accomplish when we work together.”
Residents will live independently and have access to supports, such as daily meals, laundry, employment support, health supports, harm reduction and community programming.
“This outcome means health-care workers have a place to live on the island, and the most vulnerable residents of Salt Spring also have a home,” said the Attorney General.
The Salt Spring and Southern Gulf Islands Community Services Society will operate the facility when it opens.
“The announcement that BC Housing is constructing and funding the operation of 28 new supported housing units is great news for the community,” said Rob Grant, Executive Director of Salt Spring Island Community Services (SSICS).
“This will improve housing stability for many individuals.”
Grant says a recent count by BC Housing and SSICS Housing First staff identified about 60 people requiring some level of supportive housing on the island.
“SSI Community Services will do whatever we can to ensure the success of the Drake Road site,” he continued. “I am also relieved that no one currently residing at the Seabreeze will lose their housing at this time. We thank the Lady Minto Foundation for extending the time for their vacancy requirement, and wish them good luck for a smooth and speedy development of hospital staff housing.”
The province is fast-tracking the project straight to the construction phase using its authority under the Interpretation Act, commonly known as "statutory immunity."
The budget for the project hasn’t been finalized. Funding for the project comes from B.C.'s 10-year, $7-billion housing plan announced in 2017.
BC Housing will be engaging with the public and Drake Road neighbourhood stakeholders this month. More information can be found on the BC Housing website.
Current residents at the Seabreeze Inne will move directly to the new housing complex once it’s completed.
“It’s been a long time coming and it will really help secure some housing for some people that really need the supports,” says Grant, adding that he has some concerns.
“I don’t want to take the shine off it because it’s always good to have new things happening; but is it enough? No. We’re far away from addressing all the needs of the community.”
The 2021 homelessness count identified about 150 homeless on Saltspring, of which 100 were unsheltered and the rest were in provisional accommodation.
The island’s emergency shelter has been at full capacity for years, and there are still many people in vehicles, camps and sleeping rough around the island, according to Grant.
“There are still a lot of unknowns about how this will ultimately play out, and we are looking forward to more clarity,” said Grant. “The part of this plan which reduces emergency sheltering capacity in the community will be a challenge.”
Site preparation and construction will begin in the coming weeks. The building is expected to open in late summer 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Minister 'outraged' after AFN national chief's headdress taken from Air Canada cabin
The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is calling on Air Canada to 'make things right' with the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who said her headdress was removed from an airplane cabin during a flight this week.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
BREAKING Stranded orca calf swims out of B.C. lagoon where she was trapped for weeks
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Canada recognizes housing as a human right. Few provinces have followed suit
As more Canadians find themselves struggling to afford or find housing, the country's smallest province is the only one that can point to legislation recognizing housing as a human right.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.