Salt Spring Island – Supportive Housing

161 Drake Road - Permanent Supportive Housing
There is an urgent need for permanent supportive housing on Salt Spring Island. Recent counts have shown us that between 80 and 120 people are facing or experiencing homelessness in this community. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, only a small number of temporary supportive homes have been available.
BC Housing plans to use a portion of the land at 161 Drake Road to build 28 permanent supportive homes for Salt Spring Island residents who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness. This modular building will also include a commercial kitchen as well as a common area, offices and an outdoor amenity space. Onsite supports will include daily meals, life and skills training and connections to community services. We will select a non-profit operator for this site through a request for proposal (RFP) process.
Development process
In early 2022, BC Housing leased the land at 161 Drake Road from the Capital Regional District. Since then, pre-development work has included clearing blackberries, assessing streams, trees and wildlife, and working towards responsible water use and stormwater drainage. When this important environmental work is finished, we will be able to offer a more detailed project timeline.
Community engagement
Because of the urgent need for supportive housing on Salt Spring Island, we are moving forward with this project as quickly as possible with the support of Islands Trust and the Capital Regional District.
We recognize there is much local interest in this site, and we commit to continue working closely with the community surrounding 161 Drake Road to ensure the project is successful and integrates well.
On Monday, Dec. 5 we hosted an online information session for neighbours of 161 Drake Road where BC Housing staff shared the latest project information and answered questions. The session slideshow is available to download on this page.
Other community information sessions may be planned as the project moves forward. Please watch this page for details.
Send questions at any time using the Q&A below or by emailing: communityrelations@bchousing.org.
154 Kings Lane – Temporary Supportive Housing
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Salt Spring Island community members facing homelessness first accessed emergency shelter and services at the Seabreeze Inne (101 Bittancourt Road), then in temporary modular units at 154 Kings Lane where many are still living now.
BC Housing leased the land at 154 Kings Lane from the Gulf Island Seniors Residence Association (GISRA) and we are grateful for their support as we work towards building permanent housing on Salt Spring Island.
The units at 154 Kings Lane are provided and serviced by Black Diamond Group. Because this site is temporary, services including water, power and sewage are being brought in and removed. Umbrella Society is currently providing resident supports.
When the building at 161 Drake Road is ready, BC Housing will select people to live at the new site using our Coordinated Access and Assessment model which matches residents with the supports they need. Eligible people living at Kings Lane will be considered first.
Once all residents have left Kings Lane, we will remove the temporary units and return the land to the GIRSA.
Send questions at any time using the Q&A below or by emailing: communityrelations@bchousing.org.
Have a question or comment? Please add below.
Guidelines for constructive and respectful dialogue
- Please ensure your question is clear, concise, relevant to the project, and respectful.
- Review our moderation policy. Questions that do not abide by the moderation policy or guidelines for respectful dialogue may not be answered.
- We expect everyone will refrain from using language or acting in a way that is discriminating, threatening, abusive, racist or otherwise disrespectful. Discrimination or abusive language of any kind will not be tolerated.
- Your question will appear once our team has answered it. If your question has already been answered, we may respond privately.
Thank you for your contribution!
Help us reach out to more people in the community
Share this with family and friends