High land costs, lengthy approval processes and zoning bylaws are just some of the hurdles faced by those trying to build housing in BC. Building homes specifically for seniors that are affordable, accessible and ready in a timely manner on a remote Gulf Island, that's a whole other set of hurdles and circumstances.
Since 2019, Texada Island Non-Profit Seniors Housing Society (TINSHS) has been working toward creating affordable and senior-friendly housing on Texada.
"All government processes are taking longer than we thought they would, but we're being told ‘we're working at light speed,’" said TINSHS president Cathy Brown.
The Peak previously reported that the group's biggest obstacle to building seniors housing on Texada was obtaining title to buildable land. The nonprofit had its eye on an eight-acre parcel of land owned by Selkirk Mountain Forest Limited within Gillies Bay Improvement District that was suitable for development. Fast forward to April 2025 and progress has been made toward getting shovels in the ground.
"We have a signed purchase agreement but it's conditional to the subdivision of the property from Selkirk Mountain Forest Limited from the main parcel, but it has gone through," said Brown. "The conditional exclusion is that we must put a fence and vegetative barrier the length of the new division between the new parcel and the old Selkirk Mountain Forest Limited remaining parcel."
Last November the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) granted conditional approval of TINSHS's Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) exclusion application.
Brown said there are many other conditions to be met but they have up to five years to complete them. Brown said she feels confident that TINSHS will meet what the requirements are.
Last April, TINSHS hosted a successful online/live auction and a high tea event that raised $11,958 toward the capital goal. As of now, the housing society has raised $202,848 from a capital campaign community fundraiser for a land purchase goal of $250,000. Brown said the community on Texada has been very supportive of the seniors housing project so far.
Expert in seniors housing and health care Kate Mancer was invited to take part in two focus groups on Thursday, April 10, at the Gillies Bay seniors hall and April 11 at Royal Canadian Legion Branch 232 in Van Anda.
The discussion focused on topics such as how many units are needed, what kind of design features are essential and affordability issues.
"We originally looked at 40 units as our goal," said Brown. "Kate is going to help us talk to people about how many [people] are actually willing to move in if the opportunity comes up."
Brown said the design will most likely be single-storey, rancher-style rental units.
"Sadly, some people, with how long this takes, have passed away or left the island because they just haven't been able to wait for it," said Brown. "Right now we are trying to look at how affordability concerns can be addressed."
Currently there is little rental stock on Texada, so for those wanting to age in place or downsize on the island, there are not many options.
"We're investigating prefabricated modular housing," said Brown. "It has become the new way nationally as a way to put in place affordable housing."
Brown said the society still wants to hire as many people as possible locally for site preparation and deck building.
"There's a few very good construction people on the island, but they're very backed up as well," said Brown. "This isn't written in stone, but if we can be looking at construction next summer, I'd be happy to have that."
In the meantime, the TINSHS team is planning more fundraising events and working diligently and meticulously through the obstacles until building can begin.
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