Salt Spring Island is facing a well-documented and increasingly urgent housing challenge. For decades, reports have pointed to a widening gap between local incomes and housing costs. Today, limited rental supply and rising prices are placing real pressure on workers, employers, families, and the overall health of our community. In response, the Salt Spring Island Local Trust Committee (LTC) has initiated a planning project to bring up to date the existing 2008 Official Community Plan (OCP) and 1998 Land Use Bylaws (LUB). This work is intended to provide a plan that better reflects current realities: a deepening affordability crisis, the need for a wider range of attainable housing options, commitments to reconciliation with First Nations, and the growing importance of climate resilience and ecosystem protection. As part of this process, preliminary analysis and public engagement conducted in the Fall of 2025 examined whether existing regulations continue to align with cur…

Lately, some folks have been asking us why Transition Salt Spring cares about housing. The answer to that important question is the focus of this article, which coincides with Salt Spring’s Official Community Plan (OCP) review being led by our Local Trust Committee. The answer sits in our tagline “Responding to Climate Change. Restoring ecosystems. Reimagining community. Together.” Each part of that statement has direct implications for how, why, and where we build housing. “Responding to climate change” is our core mission, reflected in our Climate Action Plan and biannual Climate Action Report Card. It’s in everything we do, from our pretty skookum Repair Cafés, to our political advocacy, including op-eds like this and our recent submission on the Island Trust’s draft Policy Statement. “Restoring ecosystems” is the next pillar of that mission. The more we fragment in Salt Spring’s forests with scattered housing, the greater the risks we face – wildfire, water scarcit…

The Gulf Islands Seniors Residence Association (GISRA) is a non-profit society founded in 1998. We built and have operated Meadowbrook (38 units of supportive affordable seniors housing) on Atkins Road since 2003. We also own the 3.43-acre property at 154–164 Kings Lane, that houses the Salt Spring Island Health Centre. For over two years, since cancelling the original seniors’ project planned for that site, we’ve been working to move forward on a two-part community project: 1. 50 units of affordable rental housing (workforce-focused, with some homes prioritized for other long-term residents), and 2. Expansion of the health centre (clinic) ____________________________________________________________________________________ Here is an update on where things stand now. 1) Affordable housing: what we’re hoping to build and who it’s for Our hope is to build 50 affordable rental homes with a mix of unit sizes from studio apartments to 3-bedroom units. Our goal is af…

March 2026 | Transition Salt Spring The Islands Trust is finalizing a new policy statement that will shape what gets built, what gets protected, and what kind of islands we live on for decades to come. Last week, Transition Salt Spring spoke with Trust Council in Duncan to make sure climate wasn't just a footnote. Here's what we said — and what we're asking for. On March 10, Transition Salt Spring's Bryan Young and Pam Tarr travelled to Duncan to appear before the Islands Trust Council. Their message was simple: preparing for climate change needs to be a core guiding principle for the new Policy Statement, along with ecosystem protection and First Nations reconciliation. The document in question – the Trust Policy Statement — is the core “rulebook” that guides all land-use planning across the Gulf Islands. Think of it as the constitution for what gets built, what gets protected, and what kind of islands we'll live on in the decades ahead. After years of consultation …

March 6 Seventeen gathered at this ASK Salt Spring gathering to welcome MLA Rob Botterell. The afternoon timing (2:30-4:30) was intended to make it possible for those who cannot attend the 11-1 time slot to join the conversation, a change acknowledged by one participant as very helpful. The timing also allows Rob to get home to Pender this evening, a welcome benefit after his busy week in the Legislature and his plentiful constituent activities. Rob began by acknowledging that we are meeting in the traditional territory of Coast Salish nations and that any discussion about land, housing, and wealth must be grounded in reconciliation and respect for Indigenous leadership. Rob reflected on his years working alongside First Nations and how their wisdom has shaped his approach to the hard choices now facing the province. We agreed that this time together would be an opportunity to speak honestly about a crisis that has been with us for far too long: housing on Salt Spri…

Ten jointed this ASK Salt Spring gathering to welcome Adam Evanik of Housing NOW. After our Land Acknowledgement, we all introduced ourselves. While a few of us were relative newcomers (like 20 years), most in the room had lived on Salt Spring for many decades one even claiming an extra nine months, having been conceived, born, and raised here. Most in this seasoned group, however, knew very little, if anything, about Housing NOW. That was soon to change. . . . Like so many, Adam, a Salt Springer for about eight years, works a variety of jobs, including as a Paid on Call Firefighter, landscaper, filmmaker, and as Salt Spring’s Housing NOW coordinator. While each of these jobs brings their own delight, Adam finds his Housing NOW role to be his most satisfying, “exciting and delighting” him with its possibilities and challenges. Committed to building connections throughout our community, this relationship-fostering role is perfect for him. Busy connecting with community memb…

Twenty seven came to this ASK Salt Spring gathering to welcome members of the Habitat for Humanity team, Executive Director Carmen Rempel and HR/Family Services Manager Tiffany Gates. There was a sense of anticipation among the group, all curious to learn about opportunities for a Habitat for Humanity project on Salt Spring. Adding to this air of excitement was the appreciation of a homecoming as Carmen had grown up on Salt Spring and many in the room shared decades old memories with her. After our Land Acknowledgement and a chance for all to introduce themselves, our guests shared their excitement and delight at being with us, with Tiffany sharing her delight to be here to spread the word of the important work Habitat for Humanity does helping folks and building communities. Carmen expressed her delight at being back on Salt Spring (it had been 10 years!), sharing a few happy memories with those in the room and recalling that she had taken Home Economics in the room in wh…

Islanders Working Against Violence (IWAV) is proud to announce the successful purchase of the Norton Road property — a milestone made possible by an extraordinary outpouring of community support. What began as a bold vision has become a shared achievement. In just a matter of months, Islanders came together to help IWAV raise the funds needed to secure the property, ensuring it will remain dedicated to affordable housing and expanded services for women and families on Salt Spring Island. “We are deeply grateful to this community,” said Alicia Herbert, Executive Director. “From our foundational partners to first-time donors, from artists and business owners to neighbours who gave what they could — every contribution carried this project forward. Norton Road is not just a property purchase. It’s a long-term investment in stability, dignity, and care for Islanders.” Why This Matters Now The need for stable, affordable housing on Salt Spring has never been clearer. …

Adherence to the status quo is hugely problematic for a significant portion of Salt Spring Island’s population, and vilifying those who hope for more equitable housing solutions as “seeking urban amenities and growth” or wanting big box stores, bigger apartment buildings, and fast food chains is unhelpful and dehumanizing. 1/3rd of Salt Springers live in some sort of housing need. Some have tried to discredit or minimize this statistic, but it comes from the Southern Gulf Islands Tourism Partnership's Short-Term Rental Impact Report released in mid-September 2025 using housing data from the 2021 census. It states "We recommend interpreting the available data as suggesting that there is something closer to ~1,695 households currently living in unaffordable, unsuitable, and/or inadequate housing, and for whom there is currently no realistic alternative (until rental vacancy rates improve)." This statistic is discussed on pages 28, 29, and 30. It defines affordable housing a…

Salt Spring’s outdated zoning could add 7,000+ more expensive houses in forests and rural areas—while the people who keep Salt Spring running struggle to find a home. Many people are shocked to hear that our current Official Community Plan (OCP), if not amended, will allow developers to build more than 7000 new single-family homes on Salt Spring. Without changes to the OCP, we can expect that history will repeat itself, and these new homes will not be financially accessible to the current underhoused population or to our valuable workforce and their families. Rather, these homes will be affordable only to those with means, which often means new residents moving here for retirement or remote work. The current OCP unintentionally prioritizes off-islanders over those who are already here, working hard to make a living to support themselves and their families. This doesn’t seem fair. Worse yet, the current zoning allows these homes to be built almost anywhere on t…

November 21 Thirteen, including two lovely and well-behaved grandchildren, joined this ASK Salt Spring gathering to welcome cohousing advocates Wendy Beatty, Bob MacKie, and Islands Trust Local Trustee, Laura Patrick. After our Acknowledgment and a chance for each of us to introduce ourselves, we learned how each of our guests had become enthusiasts for shared/cohousing, a tried and true model made even more relevant by today’s overheated real estate prices. Bob is “excited and delighted” by the concept of owning one’s own small home in a larger community of folks sharing common spaces and social opportunities. Generally called cohousing, this living arrangement generally refers to a group of people who live together in a space that was specifically designed for that purpose. Wondering how long he will want to maintain his home and property alone, Bob is not delighted about moving to a high rise in Sidney or Victoria. He is excited, however, by co-living on a large prope…

The group who came to this ASK Salt Spring gathering to welcome IWAV Executive Director Alicia Herbert was small but enthusiastic. We got an added bonus by also welcoming our Library Director Karen Hudson, wearing her hat as one of seven advisory committee members meeting weekly to move the IWAV Norton Road initiative forward. (And, later in our time together, Alicia and Karen gave a “shout out” to Elizabeth FitzZaland who is also an invaluable member of this Norton Road committee.) In her Land Acknowledgement, Alicia spoke of respect and inclusion on our unceded land, noting that the proposed Norton Road land purchase relates to unceded land and that IWAV is determined to ensure that decisions about this land, if acquired, are made with deliberation through inclusive collaboration. Before beginning to learn more about this exciting Norton Road opportunity, we all took a moment to introduce ourselves. With three ASK Salt Spring Board Members present, we took this oppor…

The group welcoming Local Community Commission (LCC) Chair Earl Rook to this ASK Salt Spring gathering was small, causing a participant to question why more did not seem interested in learning more about the decisions and plans of our Local Commissioners. After our Acknowledgment, Earl shared something that had recently “excited and delighted” him: He had just participated in the Cross-Border Forum, a gathering of island leaders from both our local BC islands and the US San Juans. The forum focussed on building environmental and economic resilience across the Salish Sea bioregion, particularly given the potential economic impacts of tariffs. Its intent is to foster regional, intergovernmental collaboration in an era of uncertainty. Strengthening regional ties, it seeks to ensure that local priorities are protected and amplified amid shifting national priorities. The gathering was sponsored by the successful Southern Gulf Islands Forum established by former MLA Adam Ol…

As today marks the final day to complete the Islands Trust / CRD OCP & Land Use Bylaw survey, the Salt Spring Accommodation Group (SSAG) is encouraging all residents to make their voices heard — especially on the topic of short-term rentals (STRs). The OCP survey will influence how Salt Spring Island regulates STRs going forward. It’s important that all perspectives are represented, including those of local residents who host responsibly, rely on modest STR income, or manage seasonal cottages and home-based accommodations. Before completing the survey, SSAG encourages residents to consider: Are STRs responsible for housing loss, or are they part of a balanced, mixed economy that includes commercial accommodations, B&Bs, and guest cottages? Do hotels alone meet peak visitor demand, or do STRs play a key role in weddings, family travel, and rural stays? Should small-scale, resident-led STRs be protected, especially those tied to a principal residence or zoned as …

When you’re in desperate need for housing on Salt Spring, it is no laughing matter. Yet, the process of checking out places and being checked out by landlords often teeters between semi-tragedy and dark comedy. I’ve had to to look for a rental twice in the past two years, and it’s been quite an adventure, from the prospective landlord who said she could only rent to me if I married her to the one who downplayed the rodent situation while noting “if you set out traps, you’ll catch about one a night.” It’s easier to see the humour and absurdity in it all once you have secured your next abode, which thankfully I recently have done. But for those currently in the thick of it, here are some tips and tales to aid you in your quest and perhaps make the process a bit more enjoyable. I’m sure long-time SSI renters have some different and likely better advice than what I’ve gleaned from my relatively small sample size. On the other hand, some of my tips come from having been a h…

More people in need of affordable and supportive housing on Salt Spring Island will have a new place to call home with the opening of a new building on Drake Road. “Helping people experiencing homelessness and others who are struggling to make ends meet is critical to our government,” said Christine Boyle, B.C.’s Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs. “These homes will help people breathe a little easier, while also being able to build a life in their community. We’ll continue working with partners to deliver the homes people need.” The new building at 161 Drake Rd. has 32 supportive homes for adults who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness, and four affordable homes for people who can live independently. “This is an important step forward for our unhoused residents on Salt Spring Island and for those seeking affordable housing,” said Rob Botterell, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands. “Housing, food and health services should be available to everyone. Wr…

Recently-appointed Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs Christine Boyle visited Salt Spring last Wednesday to get an overview of our challenges and projects in progress, taking a full day despite her very busy schedule. MLA Rob Botterell arranged the visit because of what he sees as a new spirit of cooperation on our island growing out of the Common Ground Summit in April, put on by Transition Salt Spring as a way to find new approaches to getting the affordable housing we need while protecting the environment we love. Minister Boyle started the day with an overview of issues relating to the liveaboard community, given by Corey Johnson of the Harbour Authority of Salt Spring Island (HASSI). Johnson covered many facets of the complex situation, including overlapping jurisdictions, environmental and social issues and Indigenous rights, but a shortage of affordable housing on Salt Spring emerged as a key factor. The Minister then got a tour of BC Housing’s new Drake R…

Regardless of individual opinions on the future of Salt Spring, we should all consider this fact: When everything is discretionary, nothing is truly protected. There are only a few policies in our Official Community Plan that serve as unequivocal legal roadblocks to widespread development. Two of them, first identified by Islands Islands Trust lawyers in 2018, have to do with growth, and by extension, protection of the island’s resources, ecosystems and rural character. Together, these policies have the legal clout to prevent indiscriminate rezoning of private land. For example, they helped stop the recent Bylaw 530 which sought to upzone thousands of lots for extra dwellings—without any guarantee of affordability or long-term rental. But those policies are now threatened. As part of the 530 process, trustees instructed staff to create a list of policies that were impeding “opportunities for workforce housing,” notably without an analysis of their role in protecting th…

You may have heard that Salt Spring’s arm of the Islands Trust, called the Local Trust Committee (LTC) is getting ready to revise our OCP. You may even have heard that over the past year community representatives came together to produce an exciting package of interconnected proposals for revising the OCP called the Common Ground Consensus for the Future. And you wondered…What’s an OCP? 🤔 Okay, down some hot coffee and read all the way to the end of this paragraph: Salt Spring’s Official Community Plan (OCP) is a legal document created by our LTC back in 1999 to guide and manage growth, land use and development. Its purpose is to lay out the community’s vision for its future, with objectives and policies in areas such as housing, commercial, and agricultural land use, as well as environmental preservation. The OCP gives rise to Land Use Bylaws (LUBs) that contain all the regulatory details to make that vision into reality. There, you made it! You can bail out …

Twenty-three joined this ASK Salt Spring gathering to welcome the Lookout Housing and Health Society’s CEO Shayne Williams and Lee Fox, Director of Operations for the Vancouver Island Region. After our Acknowledgement, all in our circle had a chance to introduce themselves, many expressing their delight that Lookout has been awarded the BC Housing contract to manage our new supportive housing community at 161 Drake Road. Lee expressed her delight in the imminent opening of Drake Road, confident that something wonderful would happen there. She is thrilled that Lookout will have a far larger presence on Salt Spring, an island she characterized as full of big hearts and good intentions. Shayne, expressed his excitement about the amazing work Lookout is doing . . and has been doing since 1971. Begun by Karen O’Shannacery , its Executive Director from 1971-2014, Shayne is pleased that her vision of care, relationships, and engagement remain foundational principles for Lookout…

You may have already heard that the Local Trust Committee (LTC) has begun its public engagement to guide a revision of our Official Community Plan (OCP) and accompanying land- use bylaws (LUB’s), and wondered how (or whether) you can make a difference in that process. The answer is: there’s a fantastic opportunity to be part of the solution, but you’ll need to take action now, because Phase 1 of that engagement – the most important phase for meaningful input -- ends October 24 th . Options for easy and quick action are on this webpage: https://transitionsaltspring.com/ocp. JOIN THE COMMON GROUND! Housing has been a divisive issue on Salt Spring for decades, but for the past year, Transition Salt Spring has been stewarding a process aimed at finding the common ground we share in order to support community resilience. And we found surprising agreement on ways to create more affordable housing while protecting the natural environment we all love. This agreement can be summa…