Salt Spring Island – Supportive Housing

Digital illustration of apartment buildings


The Seabreeze Inne, 101 Bittancourt Road

BC Housing entered into an agreement with the Lady Minto Hospital Foundation in early 2022, to lease the Seabreeze Inne on a temporary basis, providing shelter for vulnerable members of the Salt Spring Island community.

The Salt Spring and Southern Gulf Islands Community Services Society (SSICS) provided resident support on-site.

The BC Housing lease was set to expire on June 30, 2022. BC Housing has been actively working with our community partners to create temporary homes for residents of the Seabreeze Inne until permanent housing at Drake Rd is ready.

The Lady Minto Hospital Foundation graciously agreed to extend the lease until July 15, 2022, allowing time for us to build a temporary housing site at 154 Kings Lane. We are also very grateful to the Gulf Islands Seniors Residence Association (GISRA) for agreeing to lease a portion of the site at 154 Kings Lane to us on a short-term basis for this purpose.

154 Kings Lane

The land at 154 Kings Lane was cleared in preparation for future redevelopment. GISRA has agreed to lease a portion of this land to support the efforts of BC Housing to provide continued housing with supports to the residents of the Seabreeze Inne. Due to the limited housing options and a vibrant tourist trade on Salt Spring Island, BC Housing struggled to find alternative housing solutions as we approached the end of the lease at the Seabreeze Inne. As such, we are extremely grateful to GISRA for the support they have shown the community in working with us.

The Black Diamond Group will provide the mobile housing unit. All services for residents and staff (including water, power and sewage) will be brought to the site, stored on site and removed as part of the on-going operations provided by the Black Diamond Group. Meals for residents will be provided on site.

This is an interim solution in response to a great need. Once the permanent housing at Drake Rd is ready, we look forward to seeing the mobile unit dismantled, the land returned with thanks to GISRA and welcoming residents to their new permanent homes.

161 Drake Road

In early 2022 BC Housing executed a License Agreement for pre-development works with the Capital Regional District to use some of the lands at 161 Drake Rd to build permanent purpose-built supportive housing. We are working to create long term solutions for people at risk of or experiencing homelessness on Salt Spring Island, and we believe this modular project provides the best opportunity for the people we serve.

This development will provide long term housing to many of the people currently living in the Seabreeze Inne and people currently sleeping on mats at the In from the Cold shelter at 268 Fulford-Ganges. This new development will include up to 28 studio units, not enough to house everyone at the Seabreeze Inne and the In from the Cold shelter. We will work closely with people to identify their individual needs. The most vulnerable will be offered places at 161 Drake Road and we will work to find other housing solutions for those who require fewer supports. We are committed to ensuring that no one ends up back on the streets.

We are also exploring the option of using a very limited number of these units for dual occupancy “bridge to housing” beds. Bridge to housing beds serve as a pathway to permanent housing for individuals at risk of homelessness in our communities. Unlike temporary shelter beds, individuals who access bridge to housing do so through the BC Housing Coordinated Access and Assessment (CAA) table. More information on this development, supportive housing, bridge to housing and the CAA table can be found in the project factsheet.

Development Process

We believe it is important to provide permanent supportive homes as soon as possible for people experiencing homelessness on Salt Spring Island. We are moving this development forward as fast as possible using statutory immunity to go straight to the construction phase. Development on Salt Spring Island is complex. We are currently working through many layers of due diligence including environmental, riparian area assessments and water supply approvals. Construction is estimated to complete in early 2023.

Community Engagement

We are committed to keeping the community informed. We welcome questions and comments below in the Q&A or by email to: communityrelations@bchousing.org.



The Seabreeze Inne, 101 Bittancourt Road

BC Housing entered into an agreement with the Lady Minto Hospital Foundation in early 2022, to lease the Seabreeze Inne on a temporary basis, providing shelter for vulnerable members of the Salt Spring Island community.

The Salt Spring and Southern Gulf Islands Community Services Society (SSICS) provided resident support on-site.

The BC Housing lease was set to expire on June 30, 2022. BC Housing has been actively working with our community partners to create temporary homes for residents of the Seabreeze Inne until permanent housing at Drake Rd is ready.

The Lady Minto Hospital Foundation graciously agreed to extend the lease until July 15, 2022, allowing time for us to build a temporary housing site at 154 Kings Lane. We are also very grateful to the Gulf Islands Seniors Residence Association (GISRA) for agreeing to lease a portion of the site at 154 Kings Lane to us on a short-term basis for this purpose.

154 Kings Lane

The land at 154 Kings Lane was cleared in preparation for future redevelopment. GISRA has agreed to lease a portion of this land to support the efforts of BC Housing to provide continued housing with supports to the residents of the Seabreeze Inne. Due to the limited housing options and a vibrant tourist trade on Salt Spring Island, BC Housing struggled to find alternative housing solutions as we approached the end of the lease at the Seabreeze Inne. As such, we are extremely grateful to GISRA for the support they have shown the community in working with us.

The Black Diamond Group will provide the mobile housing unit. All services for residents and staff (including water, power and sewage) will be brought to the site, stored on site and removed as part of the on-going operations provided by the Black Diamond Group. Meals for residents will be provided on site.

This is an interim solution in response to a great need. Once the permanent housing at Drake Rd is ready, we look forward to seeing the mobile unit dismantled, the land returned with thanks to GISRA and welcoming residents to their new permanent homes.

161 Drake Road

In early 2022 BC Housing executed a License Agreement for pre-development works with the Capital Regional District to use some of the lands at 161 Drake Rd to build permanent purpose-built supportive housing. We are working to create long term solutions for people at risk of or experiencing homelessness on Salt Spring Island, and we believe this modular project provides the best opportunity for the people we serve.

This development will provide long term housing to many of the people currently living in the Seabreeze Inne and people currently sleeping on mats at the In from the Cold shelter at 268 Fulford-Ganges. This new development will include up to 28 studio units, not enough to house everyone at the Seabreeze Inne and the In from the Cold shelter. We will work closely with people to identify their individual needs. The most vulnerable will be offered places at 161 Drake Road and we will work to find other housing solutions for those who require fewer supports. We are committed to ensuring that no one ends up back on the streets.

We are also exploring the option of using a very limited number of these units for dual occupancy “bridge to housing” beds. Bridge to housing beds serve as a pathway to permanent housing for individuals at risk of homelessness in our communities. Unlike temporary shelter beds, individuals who access bridge to housing do so through the BC Housing Coordinated Access and Assessment (CAA) table. More information on this development, supportive housing, bridge to housing and the CAA table can be found in the project factsheet.

Development Process

We believe it is important to provide permanent supportive homes as soon as possible for people experiencing homelessness on Salt Spring Island. We are moving this development forward as fast as possible using statutory immunity to go straight to the construction phase. Development on Salt Spring Island is complex. We are currently working through many layers of due diligence including environmental, riparian area assessments and water supply approvals. Construction is estimated to complete in early 2023.

Community Engagement

We are committed to keeping the community informed. We welcome questions and comments below in the Q&A or by email to: communityrelations@bchousing.org.


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  • Thank you for your reply. Seeing as the 'In from the Cold' shelter is now being included in the Drake Rd Supportive Housing development, as well as residents coming & going, both 24 hours of the day, it would be expected to have, at the bare minimum, 24 hour security on site. This is not an 'if required' situation, but an 'as required' one. Seeing as this is 'Supportive Housing', it will be imperitive to have a 24 hour staffed reception to assist with any issues that may arise in order to ensure the safety of the residents. I trust BC Housing is going to include this important feature in the development of this project. Seeing as Drake Rd is a residential neighbourhood, the interests of the existing property owners should also be paramount in this development. It will be expected that every effort be made to minimize any security issues & ensure their right to peace & comfort is not affected. Having 24 hour staffing on site will be an important aspect of this necessary assurance. Thank you.

    MJS asked 3 months ago

    Thank you for your feedback MJS.  

    First, I'd like to confirm that the 'Inn from the Cold' shelter is not being moved to 161 Drake Rd. The of goal of 161 Drake Rd development is to create purpose-built supportive housing; studio units with wraparound supports provided by SSICS. Many of the people moving into the Drake Rd housing will come from the shelter and the Seabreeze Inne currently leased by BC Housing.  

    Drake Rd is intended as a replacement for the shelter; a long-term housing solution providing people with their own studio units instead of mats on the floor. BC Housing supported the operations of this shelter as well a number of units at the Seabreeze Inne through the pandemic.  Now, as we look towards the future, we are investing in permanent supportive housing solutions such as the Drake Rd development to provide greater benefits to the people we serve.  

    BC Housing will continue to work with SSICS to determine the future of the shelter. For example, we have contingency funding for extreme weather and winter shelters which organizations like SSICS can apply for if needed. 

    A limited number of bridge-to-housing beds are also being considered for Drake Rd, where individuals would apply and be allocated to through the CAA table. This is different from a traditional shelter, instead, potential residents of bridge-to-housing beds apply in advance and are considered on an individual basis.  

    With regard to security, all new supportive housing that we develop across the province creates a safe environment both inside and outside the building. This building will be a purpose-built property where security measures would include well-lit and fenced grounds, extensive camera monitoring and a controlled single, point of entry. For these reasons, security staff are generally not required for supportive housing buildings.  

    The SSICS staffing model for Drake Rd is not yet determined. Typically, 24/7 staffing is put in place for many supportive housing sites and it may be used at 161 Drake Rd. BC Housing is working closely with SSICS to ensure there will be appropriate staffing for the services provided. Feedback from community members, as you have provided, is also considered as part of the discussion around staffing with SSICS.  

     I hope this information is helpful to you. Please continue to reach out with further questions or comments.  

    Sincerely, 

    Patia

    BC Housing Community Relations Team 

     

  • Hello: It was my understanding that the Drake Road development would have 24 hour staffing for entry and exit of the residents. I only see daytime staffing mentioned on the linked document. What kind of staffing will be on site outside of daytime operating hours, if any? Regarding ‘statutory immunity’, does this exclude the development from having to make environmental considerations? If not, what kind of environmental assessments and considerations are being done? Waiting until the development is almost fully built to engage with the community does not feel like a respectful engagement. BC Housing may indeed benefit from the input of the local community in the design and development of this site more than they have considered & would most certainly garner more support. Please reconsider this timeline. Thank you, MJS

    MJS asked 3 months ago

    Hello MJS,  

    Thank you for your questions. I’ll do my best to address each one.  

    There will be staff onsite during the day to provide supports. The staffing model at Drake Rd has not yet been determined but would include 24/7 staffing if required.  

    Statutory immunity is being used to speed up the development work as the rezoning process could take several years. We are currently working through our site due diligence which includes environmental assessment. This assessment includes an arborist report, Environmental Site Assessment, Geotechnical investigation and a biological assessment. We are currently working to get a well water licence through FLNRO and approvals through Island Health. We will also meet all regular building code and safety standards.  

    I appreciate your perspective on community engagement. Our current focus is on site due diligence; however, we look forward to hosting an information session when we are better positioned to answer questions and provide more detailed information to our neighbours on this planned development.  

    Please continue to check the project Let’s Talk page for updates and more information: https://letstalkhousingbc.ca/salt-spring-island-supportive-housing 

    Have a wonderful long weekend,  

    Patia

    BC Housing Community Relations Team 

  • Will community services still operate an emergency shelter?

    Bun asked 6 months ago

    Thank you for your inquiry, Bun. In from the Cold shelter at 268 Fulford-Ganges currently operated by Salt Spring and Southern Gulf Islands Community Services Society (SSICS) provides vital supports to members of the Salt Spring Island community. BC Housing are working to create long term solutions for people at risk of or experiencing homelessness on Salt Spring Island, we believe the modular project at 161 Drake Rd provides the best opportunities for the people we serve.

    Once the development at 161 Drake is complete, we intend to move all those currently living at the In from the Cold shelter to the new supportive housing. The new supportive housing at 161 Drake Road will also be operated by (SSICS). At that time, the In from the Cold shelter would close.


Page last updated: 30 Jun 2022, 04:31 PM