By Transition Salt Spring Elections & Candidates, Local News – October 7, 2026 on the Salt Spring Exchange. See the original post here.
All 3 candidates running for CRD Electoral Area Director responded to a Community Resiliency questionnaire sent by Transition Salt Spring and the Farmland Trust. See below their responses to Q2 on affordable housing. (Overall survey: https://transitionsaltspring.com/election-2026-questions/)
Q2. Affordable Housing: Climate and economic resilience depend on having enough nurses, paramedics, firefighters, teachers, care aides, and other workers who can actually afford to live here. Community diversity is at the heart of community wellbeing, and our ability to respond to increasing challenges – and affordable housing options are the key.
Will you support the formation of a CRD-funded service to create more affordable and workforce housing options? (YES, NO, WITH QUALIFICATIONS)
Jesse Jule: YES Yes, with a clear purpose, an honest cost and community support. As a licensed builder and designer with small and modular home experience, I want to turn plans into homes people can afford, alongside an economy that supports their livelihoods. I’d publish a housing project pipeline: what each project is waiting on, who decides and the next step. Using CRD’s existing tools, I’d help viable projects line up land, funding and partners. I’d work with Islands Trust on accessory dwellings and help owners make suitable existing spaces safe and lawful. I’d explore partnerships with Habitat for Humanity and local groups, bringing together tradespeople, volunteers and donated materials for repairs and accessibility upgrades that help older residents stay safely in their homes. Success means people with keys in their doors and the chance to thrive, not simply another report.
Jennifer Lannan: WITH QUALIFICATIONS I believe we should be empowering pre-existing/currently operational housing operators and engaging any and all multi-zoned properties for affordable housing, plus look for new opportunities. The CRD should engage all powers that it has to increase sewer and water service and advocate for housing operators to do the best they can to contribute to housing supply. I strongly believe our local government and leadership needs help with action on housing. If we can’t make our own targets for increasing supply- and follow them, we need to garner support in order to do so. We have an established need and it is time to act and not just talk about it. If elected, I will set goals and create timelines for action. I believe we are in a state of emergency with housing.
Brian Webster: WITH QUALIFICATIONS The availability of adequate and affordable housing for all community members continues to be the single most urgent issue in our community. I will support the creation of a new CRD housing service if there is consensus among those actively involved in housing initiatives on Salt Spring that this is the best way forward. On the face of it, such a step seems appropriate, to provide a strong focus on housing solutions for the island. If this can be done in a way that more effectively takes advantage of existing resources (local non-profits, the CRD Rural Housing Program, the Capital Region Housing Corporation, others) rather than duplicating their efforts, then I will strongly support the initiative. If elected, I will work with the LCC to consult with other agencies and the community and determine whether a new service is the best way forward.