Gabriola Housing Society
Working for affordable housing on Gabriola
Welcome
Gabriola Housing Society is a non-profit, registered charity. Our vision is:
Affordable, comfortable, secure rental housing for Gabriolans of all ages who have low to moderate incomes.
We invite you to read about who we are and what we are trying to do.
To view answers to our most frequently received questions please visit our FAQ page.
If you have any comments or questions there is a contact form and contact information at the bottom of the page.
Annual General Meeting June 22, 2021
The AGM of Gabriola Housing Society will be held by Zoom videoconference on June 22, 2021 starting at 7pm. The agenda will include the Directors’ report on our activities in 2020, the 2020 Financial Report, and the election of Directors to our Board:
- Four people are standing for election as Directors until 2023: Jennefer Laidley (1st term), Dave Neads (2nd term), Jim Ramsay (2nd term), Kristina Wray Baerg (1st term)
- Three people are continuing their current two-year terms: Jenni Gehlbach and Nancy Hetherington Peirce (3rd term); Barry Loescher (1st term).
GHS members may send nominations for the GHS Board ahead of the AGM by email or mail. They may also be made from the floor at the AGM. The nomination must include a statement of agreement by the nominee and be supported by two other members of GHS.
The Zoom link will be sent to GHS members by June 20. Gabriola residents can join the Society via the membership page of this website. The fee is $5.
News Update—June 2021
Funding Applications
On June 4 we were disappointed (but NOT deterred!) to hear from BC Housing that our Paisley Place affordable rental housing project proposal had not been selected for financing through their Community Housing Fund (CHF). Many more housing units were applied for across the province than could be financed in their 2021 budget. The CHF would provide a construction grant of approximately $100,000 per home, as well as a 35-year operating subsidy to ensure continuing financial stability for affordable rental projects – both of which are essential to make Paisley Place a reality.
BC Housing’s June 4 announcement is here:
https://www.bchousing.org/news?newsId=1479157039132
For more information about BC Housing’s Community Housing Fund:
https://www.bchousing.org/projects-partners/Building-BC/CHF
Bylaw Amendments
In mid-January the Islands Trust Executive Committee approved the proposed Bylaws #306 (Official Community Plan) and #307 (Land Use Bylaw). Bylaw #306 awaits approval by the Minister of Municipal Affairs, Josie Osborne. The terms of the Housing Agreement Bylaw #308, which is specific to Paisley Place, are still under discussion among GHS, the Islands Trust, and Snuneymuxw First Nation.
Next Steps
Our priority work going forward includes:
- Continuing to work with the Local Trust Committee to achieve final adoption of the necessary by-laws.
- Working with BC Housing, CMHC and other funders to secure additional grants and loans so the professionals who are designing the buildings, landscaping, water management, and other aspects of the project can continue their work to make the project more “shovel-ready”.
- Relationship building with the Snuneymuxw First Nation to find ways to partner on this and potentially other future projects.
Project Progress and Planning
All technical documents relating to our proposal, including reports relating to water supply in the neighbourhood, may be found on the Islands Trust Gabriola Applications webpage.
You can follow the progress of this project since May 2018 on our new project progress page.
To see the recently updated site plan created by our architects and civil engineers check our site plan page.
You Can Help Us
One of the best ways you can help is to make a tax-deductible donation. GHS is a registered charity. Use our Canada Helps website form button below to make your donation—they will issue your tax receipt. Or you can send an e-transfer or cheque directly to GHS.
Did you know you can receive Gabriola Housing Society (GHS) membership for only $5?
Your membership entitles you to vote at Annual and Special General Meetings, and you will receive GHS news directly by email. You will also know that you are helping to build more affordable and secure housing on Gabriola.
Reach Us
Gabriola Housing Society
PO Box 76
Gabriola, BC, V0R 1X0