Twenty-six new rental homes help address need for affordable housing on Hornby Island
Summary
- 26 new affordable rental homes are opening at Beulah Creek Village on Hornby Island, delivered through the Province’s Community Housing Fund
- The homes provide a mix of rent levels for families, seniors and individuals, including members of the K’ómoks First Nation
- The homes help address the community’s shortage of affordable rental housing
HORNBY ISLAND - Some Hornby Island residents will soon be moving into 26 new affordable homes, helping people continue living and working on the island.
The new homes at Beulah Creek Village, 5040 Central Rd., help address the ongoing shortage of affordable rental housing on the island. The project delivers 26 purpose-built rental homes, increasing access to secure housing and reducing reliance on seasonal accommodation that has long limited options for residents.
“Island communities feel the impact of seasonal and short-term housing demand,” said Christine Boyle, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs. “Through our Community Housing Fund, these new affordable homes will create many opportunities for residents to stay close to their jobs, live in the community they call home, and keep Hornby Island a living, working community year-round.”
Beulah Creek Village includes a mix of studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom homes in three buildings. The buildings are clustered around a central green space to provide a rural, village-type feel that suits the small island. Owned and operated by the M’akola Housing Society, the homes are prioritized for local families, seniors and individuals with low-to-moderate incomes, including members of the K’ómoks First Nation.
Residents are expected to begin moving into their new homes in late May 2026.
This project is part of a $19-billion housing investment by the B.C. government. Since 2017, the Province has more than 95,000 homes delivered or underway, including more than 970 in the Comox Valley Regional District.
Learn More:
- To learn how B.C. is working to deliver more homes for people, visit: https://gov.bc.ca/homesforpeople
- A map showing the location of all announced provincially funded housing projects in B.C. is available online: https://www.bchousing.org/homes-for-BC
- To learn how BC Housing is helping to build strong, inclusive communities, visit: https://www.bchousing.org/podcast
BACKGROUNDERS
Josie Osborne, MLA for Mid Island-Pacific Rim –
“These 26 new homes will make an enormous difference for people and families on Hornby Island who need safe, secure and affordable housing in the community they love. This project is the result of the incredible commitment and vision of the Hornby Island Housing Society, along with the unwavering dedication of M’akola Housing, the Cowichan Valley Regional District, Islands Trust, BC Housing and K’ómoks First Nation. This initiative truly shows what’s possible when communities come together to create lasting, positive change.”
Will Greaves, MP for Victoria –
“Our government is committed to helping communities develop local solutions to housing need. These new homes in Hornby will provide more safe, affordable homes for residents, making it possible for them to remain on the island. It’s another step forward in our bold, ambitious plan to build Canada strong.”
Margaret Pfoh, CEO, Aboriginal Housing Management Association –
“On Hornby Island, the shortage of affordable and secure year-round rental housing has created real challenges for the workers, families, seniors and other individuals who are essential to the fabric of a healthy community. These safe, affordable homes will provide greater housing stability for people with low-to-moderate incomes, including members of K’ómoks First Nation, while helping to ensure the island remains a place where people can continue to live, work and belong.”
Kevin Albers, CEO, M’akola Housing Society –
“Beulah Creek Village is about more than new affordable homes – it’s about strengthening community. By working in partnership with the Hornby Island Housing Society and prioritizing homes for local residents, including members of K’ómoks First Nation, we’re helping ensure families, workers, seniors and other individuals can stay rooted on Hornby Island with safe, stable, affordable housing. We’re proud to welcome people home and to support a community where everyone can live, work and belong.”
JoAnn Harrison, president, Hornby Island Housing Society –
“Hornby islanders are thrilled to see community members moving into Beulah Creek Village. Secure housing remains one of the most pressing challenges facing small rural islands. The Hornby community has dedicated years of volunteer effort toward addressing this need. These 26 homes represent meaningful and much-needed progress, and M’akola Housing Society has been an ideal partner in bringing Beulah Creek Village to fruition.”
Daniel Arbour, electoral area A director, Comox Valley Regional District –
“This project represents a meaningful step forward in addressing the need for affordable housing on Hornby Island. By working collaboratively with our partners, we are helping ensure that more residents have access to stable homes and the opportunity to thrive.”
- The Province, through BC Housing, provided a total of nearly $5 million for the project:
Nearly $3 million from the Community Housing Fund- A Cost Pressure Grant of nearly $2 million
- The Province is also providing $632,000 in annual operating funding.
- The Government of Canada, through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, contributed approximately $10.8 million through the Affordable Housing Fund (approximately $9.5 million in financing and $1.3 million in grant funding).
- Federal and provincial governments also provided $858,000 in joint funding through the Canada-British Columbia Bilateral Agreement under the National Housing Strategy.
- Comox Valley Regional District provided $100,000 for the project.
- Hornby Island Housing Society owns the land and has leased it to M’akola at a nominal rate.