Affordable Housing Application Guide

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Application Guide
Affordable and Special Needs
 Housing
Purpose of this Guide
This guide was developed to explain 
the Islands Trust role in regulating 
and approving affordable housing, 
to provide tips for making a 
complete and thorough application, 
and to identify other key agencies 
you may have to contact.
The Islands Trust is a unique form of 
government and not all land use and 
development approvals are under 
one roof.  There is no simple “one 
process fi ts all” for affordable and 
special needs housing in the 
Islands Trust Area, and applicants 
for development proposal such as 
for affordable housing will likely 
have to coordinate with a number of 
other regulatory agencies.
Terms used in this Guide
Local Trust Committee (LTC): 
an independent local government 
within the Islands Trust Area. 
There are 12 LTCs that make up the 
federation of the Islands Trust. 
Each LTC is composed of two local 
trustees, and one appointed chair 
from the Islands Trust Executive 
Committee. 
Island Municipality: An 
independent local government 
within the Islands Trust Area 
that has incorporated into a 
municipality. Bowen Island is the 
only Island Municipality within the 
Islands Trust, and is composed of 
two trustees, a mayor and other 
council members.
How is Affordable and Special Needs Housing Defi ned in 
the Islands Trust Area?
Affordable housing is commonly defi ned as adequate, suitable 
housing, typically costing less than 30% of household income. Special 
needs housing typically refers to housing intended for individuals 
who require specifi c housing designs (e.g. accessible) or who require 
services to enable them to live relatively independently or in a 
supportive environment. 
Within Islands Trust each LTC can adopt its own defi nition for 
affordable or special needs housing. You should consult the offi cial 
community plan and land use bylaw for your island early on to fi nd 
out if and how they defi ne affordable housing. Types of housing fall 
along an affordability continuum that may include:
Depending on the community’s needs, some types of affordable 
housing may be more appropriate on some islands than others. 
Murakami Gardens Groundbreaking 
Ceremony, Salt Spring Island 
Before Making an Application:
Know who your project is intended for.
Contact organizations such as CMHC, BC Housing and the Real 
Estate Foundation for helpful resources including grant opportunities.
Discuss your proposal with the following:
•    Islands Trust planner
•    Regional District building inspector (where applicable)
•    Health authority offi cial
•    Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure Subdivision 
•    Approving    offi cer (if subdivision required)
Understand funders’ requirements and timelines.
Prepare a project management plan and budget.
Emergency Shelters
Transitional Housing
Social Housing
Non-Market Rental Housing
Non-Market Home Ownership
Rental Housing
Home Ownership
Government 
Subsidized 
Housing 
Market 
Housi

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