The provincial government has announced a project to build 28 supportive homes and shelter spaces on Salt Spring Island.
The project will be located at 161 Drake Rd. and will replace the current supportive housing at the temporary Seabreeze Inne and Fulford-Ganges shelters.
The permanent homes and shelter spaces will provide housing to people experiencing homelessness or at risk for homelessness on the island.
It is a collaboration between the province, BC Housing, Capital Regional District, Islands Trust, Lady Minto Hospital Foundation, and Salt Spring and Southern Gulf Islands Community Services Society.
The homes are expected to open in late summer 2022, and until then the lease on the Seabreeze Inne, which was set to expire on Feb. 8, will be extended.
Once the housing project at Drake Road is built, the residents will be moved to the new facilities, or rent support will be offered to residents who are able to live independently.
The new housing will have supports, such as daily meals, laundry, employment support, health supports, harm reduction and community programming.
The province has not yet determined a budget for this project.
Earlier this month, Islands Trust released a Housing Action Program which estimated that Salt Spring Island will need to make up a deficit of 302 housing units between 2020-2025.
Photo credit: Islands Trust
Laura Brougham
