A new housing project for medical workers on Salt Spring Island, British Columbia, is almost full just three months after opening. As of March 17, 2026, 15 of the 18 units at Heartwood House are occupied, helping to bring more healthcare professionals to the local hospital.
The Lady Minto Hospital Foundation owns the property, which is managed by a non-profit group called the Heartwood House Society. The project was made possible by a $300,000 donation from the Salt Spring Island Foundation and other community members who wanted to address the local housing shortage.
This housing helped the hospital hire 10 new staff members during the second half of 2025, including four recruits from other countries. Hospital officials previously identified the lack of affordable homes as the main reason they struggled to find enough workers to fill essential roles.
By providing a place for nurses and support staff to live, the foundation aims to make local healthcare services more consistent for island residents. The facility reached 83 per cent capacity only 12 weeks after the first residents moved in.
