Salt Spring Island, BC — The Lady Minto Hospital Foundation is pleased to announce that the workforce housing initiative at 101 Bittancourt Road has now received final approval from the Islands Trust Executive Committee to change the zoning from commercial accommodation (hotel) to multi-family residential. This approval will allow the project to continue to progress toward its goal of supporting our healthcare workers with stable, affordable homes. 

The Islands Trust staff report to the Executive Committee recommended approving the zoning change but included two major conditions that had to be met first. While the report reflected the staff’s due diligence, these conditions would have caused further project delays and limited access to funding opportunities.

The conditions included an “affordable housing agreement” on the property’s title and consultation with 30 agencies and groups. While the project’s purpose is to provide affordable housing for healthcare workers, the Islands Trust staff’s proposed affordable housing agreement was very narrowly defined, creating significant legal and financial challenges for the project. Ultimately, Local Trustees and now the Islands Trust Executive Committee demonstrated their commitment to island healthcare by voting to support the rezoning without additional conditions, recognizing that the project aligns with both the Islands Trust Policy Statement and the Salt Spring Island Official Community Plan. 

“We’re grateful to everyone who supported this initiative,” said Julian Clark, Chair of the Foundation. “From residents who wrote letters of support to the elected officials who recognized this project’s alignment with the spirit and intent of the Official Community Plan. This truly was a community effort. Providing affordable housing for our healthcare workers directly addresses a major challenge facing our healthcare system. This is a big step forward.”

Community Rallies Behind Essential Project

The approval that will allow the project to proceed comes after overwhelming community support demonstrating the critical importance of this initiative to Salt Spring Island’s healthcare infrastructure. Local residents, healthcare professionals, non-profits, government and business leaders and associations united in their advocacy for the project, recognizing that accessible housing for healthcare workers is essential to maintaining quality medical services on the island.

Along with dozens of letters from community members and local staff, the application also received letters of support from government, industry and community leaders. 

Walter Stewart, the Chair of the Salt Spring Island Foundation wrote: “The vision that motivates all our work is A Healthy and Caring Community. The Seabreeze redevelopment is completely aligned with that vision.”

Gary Holman, Salt Spring Island Director for the Capital Regional District wrote: “As a former Chair of the Islands Trust Advisory Planning Commission for 6 years, and in my fourth term as CRD Director, I am quite familiar with the Salt Spring Official Community Plan (OCP). I agree with the LTC’s view that the rezoning proposal by one our island’s most important and dedicated non-profits, the Lady Minto Hospital Foundation, is consistent with the spirit and intent of the OCP.”

Kathy MacNeil, President and CEO of Island Health wrote: “Approving the rezoning will be a significant step toward ensuring access to quality healthcare by helping to attract and retain the professionals needed to serve the community of Salt Spring Island.” 

“This approval reflects the community’s understanding that healthcare isn’t just about buildings and equipment—it’s about supporting the people who take care of us and ensuring our island has the healthcare professionals it needs.” said Eric Jacobsen, the Foundation’s Executive Director. “The outpouring of support from residents, staff and officials made a powerful impact; Your voices were heard and we sincerely thank everyone who spoke to the need for this initiative.”

Addressing a Critical Need

101 Bittancourt Road, previously known as the Seabreeze Inne, was originally a 28-unit short-term accommodation property. The Lady Minto Hospital Foundation purchased the property in 2022 with plans to develop it into an 18-unit complex for healthcare workers on Salt Spring Island.

This innovative approach repurposes existing infrastructure, decreases effective density in terms of the number of people, traffic and resource use, while addressing one of the most significant barriers to healthcare worker recruitment and retention on the island.

The Foundation’s decision to engage in housing development came after hearing first hand accounts from Island Health recruitment staff and Lady Minto Hospital employees. They identified the biggest barrier to healthcare recruitment and retention on the island is the lack of stable, affordable housing options.

“Our partners at Island Health have told us that we actually have many applicants for our over 20 vacant positions at the hospital,” said Jacobsen. “Unfortunately, they often get halfway through the process and drop out once they realize there is no affordable housing here.”

Island residents have long recognized the challenges posed by the housing shortage, with many healthcare positions remaining unfilled or having high turnover due to lack of affordable housing options. The new development aims to stabilize the healthcare workforce by providing sustainable housing solutions for locum doctors, nurses, technicians, food services workers, housekeepers, paramedics, care aides, admin and support staff and other critical people who keep our healthcare system working.

Looking Forward

Construction work is already underway at the Bittancourt Road property, with the 18 units expected to be available in fall 2025. The Foundation can now proceed with finalizing financing through a CMHC-approved mortgage.

“With this major milestone complete, the next step for the Foundation is to work with donors and partners to reduce the debt of the project so that it can ensure affordable housing options for everyone who is essential to our healthcare system while remaining an economically viable non-profit project” says Jacobsen. “The lowest paid positions are the most vulnerable to our affordability crisis and the most difficult to recruit and retain. We thank our donors for their vision and generosity and encourage others to get involved at this critical juncture.”

If you are interested in supporting the healthcare workforce housing initiative, please be in touch with the Lady Minto Hospital Foundation or you can donate online at www.ladymintofoundation.com/donate/.