Thuthiqut Hulelum'
280 Georgeson Bay Road
20 homes for families, couples, singles and seniors
Owned by CRD, to be operated by GALI
Pronunciation of Thuthiqut Hulelum'
History
After over a decade of great effort and expense on the part of the Galiano Community Housing Association, (GCHA), (the previous owner of the property), the land was rezoned and designated as Community Housing to support a density of 20 homes, subject to subdividing and creating a bare-land strata. GCHA worked on a model in which individuals would lease a strata lot and build their own homes. The support of many local donors and volunteers showed that the community was supportive of this affordable housing initiative.
GCHA’s model was innovative, but because it had never been done in the Islands Trust area the path was complex, onerous and slow moving. In June of 2020, GCHA generously transferred title to GALI for the sum of $10 for the purpose of building and managing long-term affordable rental homes.
In late 2022, with the strong support of the Galiano community, GALI received the rezoning approval for a rental housing model from the Galiano Island Local Trust Committee of the Islands Trust.
Location
The central location is within walking distance of grocery stores, the hardware store, community facilities, (Community Hall, Recycling Centre, Galiano Community School, Galiano Library), and within three kilometres of the Galiano Island ferry terminal.
Design
Considering the cost of infrastructure as well as the topography of the Galiano Green property, the design will consist of clustered multi-unit buildings with homes of various sizes for singles, couples, families and seniors, including four units designed to be fully accessible
There will be a common building with shared laundry and storage, and plenty of room for children to play outside their homes and explore the nearby wooded environment.
Sustainability
We have worked with our partners to design environmentally sensitively and sustainably seeking to preserve as much of the existing natural second growth forest on the property as possible.
Density
Clustering homes allows more people to live on less land, leaving more of the natural landscape intact. Sharing walls means less building material is required and reduces the amount of energy needed to heat the homes. In addition, neighbours have more opportunities to share rides, combine errands and carpool, reducing vehicle trips.
- We have considered initial vs. life cycle costs of the following:
- Energy conservation (efficiency of systems) & atmosphere
- Healthy working environment (occupant well being and comfort)
- Indoor environmental quality (natural daylight access and ventilation, low-emission materials)
- Site sustainability
- Innovation and system integration (architectural, mechanical & electrical)
- Materials and resources (recyclables and waste management, reused, recycled or certified materials, local or regional materials).
Water
The Thuthiqut Hulelum’ property’s capacity to supply the planned number of homes, while ensuring minimal effect on nearby wells, has been confirmed by extensive well pump testing conducted by a senior hydrologist and respected water system specialist. An engineered water management plan has been completed and is registered on title. Thuthiqut Hulelum’ has received a provincial water licence to use the well to supply potable water for the homes.
In addition, there will be onsite storage of a significant supply of water for fire protection.
Development Partners
From 2020 to 2024, GALI worked closely with New Commons Development, an established non-profit affordable housing developer that collaborates with local organizations and local governments to oversee all phases of a project. Together, feasibility, design, planning approvals, development and operating budgets were completed before bringing on Kinetic Construction to oversee project completion.
Capital Regional District - see below under funding.
CRHC - see below under funding.
Funding
GALI received pre-development grant funding from New Market Funds, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, BC Housing, and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. Additional support has come from the Vancity Community Foundation, which provided a low-interest loan.
GALI is also very grateful for the community financial support it has received through the ongoing Raise the Roof Galiano fundraising campaign, and for donations received from individual community members and local businesses.
In July, 2023 the Capital Regional District (CRD) board allocated $2.75 million from the CRD’s share of the provincial Growing Communities Fund to support the project. As part of the agreement, GALI transferred ownership of the Thuthiqut Hulelum’ land, architectural and engineering plans, and ongoing development contracts to the CRD, whose subsidiary, the Capital Regional Housing Corporation, is responsible for securing construction funding for the project and overseeing construction.
Once CRD has completed construction, GALI will manage and operate the rental housing.