HIHS Letter to Denman Island Local Trust Committee in Support of Rezoning for Denman Green Affordable Housing
Dear Denman Island Local Trust Committee,
This letter is intended to offer support for the rezoning application of the Denman Green affordable housing project which we understand is to be discussed at the upcoming LTC meeting on July 7, 2020.
As you know, HIHS has been providing safe, stable, affordable rental housing for elders on Hornby Island since the mid 1990’s. As well, HIHS is now in the process of developing a 26 unit community housing village in conjunction with BC Housing, and M’Akola Development Services.
For the latter rental housing project HIHS has received preliminary project development funding from BC Housing and is now in the process of completing preliminary architectural designs, civil and environmental designs, undertaking development permit applications, and completing our rezoning.
In 2016 the Islands Trust Council, recognizing the potential long term destructive effects of the housing crisis, organized a Housing Forum comprised of Trust Council members, Local Trustees, planning staff, and local groups working toward solutions. Even the bylaw enforcement officer was in attendance.
During this important forum, through presentations from all sides, a number of conclusions were reached:
- There is a chronic shortage of stable, healthy, affordable housing for low and moderate income families and individuals, and that this shortage threatens the sustainability of island communities.
- When island communities falter and become unsustainable, the natural environment is threatened as well.
- It was recognized that virtually any form of affordable housing initiative necessarily involves some degree of densification. And when carefully done, densification can be beautiful, and both environmentally and socially sustainable.
- It was recognized that through its mandate, the Islands Trust is called upon to preserve and protect both the natural environment and the unique communities of the islands.
- It was recognized that the Islands Trust is in a position to, and in fact has a duty to act as facilitator in creating solutions to the chronic housing shortage on the islands.
Our experience developing affordable housing on Hornby Island confirms the conclusions of the Housing Forum. Carefully managed densification is a necessary component of any financially viable and effective housing solution, and can allow us to sustain both the social fabric of our community and the natural environment of our island.
A lack of affordable housing leads to the creation and tolerance of unpermitted and illegal dwellings. These can be both unsafe and unsightly. We suggest that, by allowing for this proposed pocket of density, Denman can have a source of safe, legal, affordable housing for some of its residents. This housing development would be required to be ecologically appropriate and to adhere to environmental standards. Without alternatives, illegal dwellings will continue on, promoting a general disregard for land use regulations and eroding confidence in the Islands Trust’s ability to proactively plan for the community’s future.
To this end Hornby Island Housing Society respectfully requests that the Denman Island Local Trust Committee instruct planning staff to expedite the rezoning application for Denman Island Green.
