Twelve joined this ASK Salt Spring gathering to welcome Habitat for Humanity’s CEO Carmen Rempel and Tiffany Gates, Director of Human Resources and Family Services. Despite the relatively low number joining this conversation, throughout our two hours together, it was clear that Carmen has generated a large number of important housing conversations throughout Salt Spring, some of which are the result of her first visit to ASK Salt Spring six months ago (https://asksaltspring.com/2026/02/20/could-salt-spring-become-a-habitat-for-humanity-community/).
In her Acknowledgement, Carmen recalled that growing up on Salt Spring, she was unaware of its rich First Nations history, not even aware of anyone she identified as Indigenous. She spoke of the education and awareness that has grown dramatically in the decades since her teen years, giving her knowledge and an entirely different lens of respect and understanding. She concluded by describing a traditional First Nations’ arrival by canoe including a ceremonial greeting and welcome, wishing that we also participated in this beautiful reciprocal ceremony when we come together.
Carmen is “excited and delighted” when an initiative comes together, beginning as only an idea, and evolving to a plan, step-by-step actions, and – when all goes well – eventually becoming a successfully-completed project. Tiffany echoed this delight, thrilled that their first ever Salt Spring project is nearing completion.
So, tell us more about this Salt Spring project. . . . Some Habitat for Humanity organizations across the country are piloting a new initiative, Critical Repairs, and our Victoria Branch is one of them! (https://www.habitatvictoria.com/criticalrepairs). While continuing to build modest homes for folks to own, this Critical Repairs program identifies homeowners who face the threat of being forced to move out because they cannot pay for the repairs needed to make their homes safe and healthy again.
While building new homes remains a key Habitat for Humanity priority, it makes perfect sense to use their strong partnership with volunteers, businesses, and the trades to also renovate unsafe, unhealthy homes. And, Salt Spring is lucky that one of Habitat for Humanity’s first repair project in this pilot Critical Repair project (with one time funding from Rona) was here.
While there is an application on the Critical Repairs link above, this Salt Spring project was selected after a concerned individual contacted 35 charities, asking each of them to help two individuals living in an unsafe home and unable to pay for needed repairs. Of those 35 charities, Habitat for Humanity was the only one that answered this plea.
With this pilot project nearly complete, Carmen and Tiffany learned so much! As many of us know, renovations are seldom as simple as expected, and this project was no different, instead a case study in scope creep. A rotten board turned into an entire wall needing replacement, and the list of unanticipated work continued. The lesson learned was an understanding of when good enough is enough; that understanding that a project will not be 100% perfect, and that 99% is good enough. They learned the joy of providing a safe, healthy home, also understanding that the homeowner is left with work to be done.
Carmen and Tiffany also learned that Salt Springers step up to get the job done! Estimated at $200,000 worth of renovations, it looks like Habitat for Humanity’s bill will be nearer to $20,000. And, this is entirely due to generosity – the generosity of a Victoria roofer who donated his time to replace part of the roof, Windsor Plywood and other providers who offered free or heavily-discounted materials, Dan Logan, Karen and the drovers who provided the garbage bins, the port-a-potty folks who offered a deal, a free water tank, and this list goes on. Many Salt Spring volunteers, spurred on by Grant and Everest, also responded to the call for labour and several work parties during the project.
And, yes. . . they also learned about “The Salt Spring Way” and “Salt Spring Time!”
As Habitat for Humanityponders the possibilities of another Critical Repair project on Salt Spring, they are left with lots of learning about scope creep, ethical questions about what is good enough, and the knowledge that Salt Springers show up when asked. They also learned the art of dignified storytelling where anonymity is preserved while the amazing stories of those who contributed to the success are joyfully celebrated.
We learned that not all homeowner repair needs can be addressed. Some applicants do not meet the income criteria, a sliding scale with those with an income under $40,000 getting free renovation work while others with a bit higher income paying costs on a sliding scale. Some who apply do not own their home. This program is not intended to enhance the value of a landlord’s property. Others’ needs fall lower on the growing list that prioritizes safety and health repairs, falling into the “Maybe Later” category. And, too many are ashamed to even ask.
Participants asked what happens when Habitat for Humanity receives a desperate plea for help that they cannot address. Is there a local government or nonprofit they can contact to get needed help for individuals in need? Not yet, but wheels were turning at this ASK Salt Spring gathering about establishing some partnerships and funding to help address these unmet needs. Some creative thinking needed here. . . .
And, what about expanding beyond those desperate projects where safety and health is at risk but also looking at some preventative maintenance projects? Carmen mused about a fall blitz to go from one recreational vehicle to the next sealing them so that they are protected from the too pervasive mold and leakage during our long, dark winters? Again – the possibilities are only limited to our creativity and willingness to get in there and help make it happen.
When Carmen and Tiffany were asked what was next, we were reminded of the multi-unit housing projects making their way through the approval process in Langford and Saanich. These projects are disconnected from market housing projects, designed to ensure that they remain affordable.
What about Salt Spring? Realistically, Habitat for Humanity has pretty much planned its building activities for the next three years. What about if land were offered? What about a significant donation? Carmen smiled and replied that she was listening.
Refreshingly, Carmen and Tiffany expressed eagerness to explore any of a number of options with Salt Spring, with many of these conversations already well underway. What about a large chunk of donated land? Interesting. A very small strip of land, room only for a 4- or 6-plex? Also interesting. A single donated lot? Let’s take a look. Embracing a wide range of possibilities, participants were charmed and intrigued by Carmen and Tiffany’s openness to any of a number of possibilities on Salt Spring. It is up to us to get creative and craft a plan.
Habitat for Humanity can only do all the good it does because they can get the funding. Sometimes this comes from social enterprises, like Habitat ReStores (https://habitat.ca/en/restore). While Carmen is open to exploring a ReStore on Salt Spring, they must generate profit as well as fulfill their important role of waste diversion. Other social enterprises are possible: Carmen mentioned watching the initial success an online Victoria business identifying reliable workers for home tasks. What if, with all the great partnerships made on Salt Spring through its Critical Repair pilot, money could be generated by offering this service here? Possibilities are plentiful.
Other Habitat for Humanity funding comes from grants, some from mortgages, and other funds are generated by donations and bequests. When asked whether we should begin raising funds for a Salt Spring Habitat for Humanity project, Carmen suggested we wait until a local project has been identified and then open our pocketbooks as generously as possible.
Our time together too quickly over, we applauded Carmen and Tiffany for the crucially important work they do, work done with enthusiasm, compassion, generosity, and tireless tenacity. And, before they left, we got their promise to return again in six months to let us know about their most recent Salt Spring successes as well as what we can do to help. (Thanks, Tiffany and Carmen!)
Just in case you are interested. . . .This report has been written by Gayle Baker, founder of ASK Salt Spring, currently also a Salt Spring Local Community Commissioner. It has been reviewed by Carmen.