Thuthiqut Hulelum’

is located at 280 Georgeson Bay Road, on the 10-acre property formerly known as “Galiano Green”.Through engagement with Indigenous community elders, the project has been given the name Thuthiqut Hulelum’, which means “Forest Homes” in the hul’q’umi’num’ language.

The Pronunciation of Thuthiqut Hulelum'

Introduction

GALI’s vision for Thuthiqut Hulelum’ is of a “village” community within our greater Galiano Island community, created by providing comfortable, affordable and secure homes. The plan includes 20 affordable rental homes in four clustered multi-unit buildings for singles, couples, families, and seniors with moderate to low incomes.

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 Galiano Museum), and within three kilometers of the Galiano Island ferry terminal. 

 

History

After over a decade of considerable effort and expense on the part of the Galiano Community Housing Association, (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 clustered multi-unit buildings rather than individual owner-built homes on separate leased strata lots.

With the strong support of the Galiano community, GALI received the required rezoning approval for the proposed rental housing model from the Galiano Island Local Trust Committee of the Islands Trust at the end of 2022.

 

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 with NCD GALI completed feasibility, design, planning approvals, development and operating budgets, and brought 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, from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, from BC Housing, and from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. Additional support for pre-development costs 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.

Funding made it possible to pay for the many environmental and engineering reports and architectural plans needed for the rezoning process.

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 GALI’s affordable housing project. 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 construction is complete, the Capital Regional Housing Corporation (CRHC) will contract GALI to manage and operate the rental housing.

Rental Costs

Affordable rents will be set in accordance with the terms of the Housing Agreement for the project held by the Islands Trust, and the requirements of project funders/partners.

Community Engagement

GALI will inform and engage the Galiano community throughout all phases of this project through a variety of avenues including mailouts, the Active Page, social media, and through community information opportunities and site visits. 

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.

Construction

We are working with our partners to build as environmentally sensitively and sustainably as possible respecting and seeking to preserve as much of the existing natural second growth forest on the property. We are considering initial vs. life cycle costs of the following: energy conservation (efficiency of systems) & atmosphere; healthy working environment (occupant comfort and well being); indoor environmental quality (natural day light access and ventilation, low-emission materials); site sustainability; innovation and system integration (architectural, mechanical & electrical); and materials and resources (collection and storage of recyclables, waste management, reused, recycled or certified materials, local or regional materials).

Water

The Thuthiqut Hulelum’ property has an excellent well. The well’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, and 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.