Affordable housing is identified as the key barrier to recruitment and retention of healthcare workers on Salt Spring Island.
When setting reasonable rent levels for healthcare workers it’s crucial to consider the range of roles these healthcare workers fill and their corresponding salaries.
It’s easy to think of the hospital being staffed by the front line people that we typically interact with: doctors, nurses and reception. However, these frontline workers are a subset of all the people who are critical for keeping the facility running.
This article provides a basic overview of what healthcare workers at Lady Minto Hospital earn and what would be considered affordable by provincial standards. It also acknowledges the reality of the extremely high market rates and lack of availability – which is precisely what this housing portal is meant to address.
In setting rent for dedicated healthcare worker housing we ask that you attempt to set as much of a preferential price as you can for healthcare workers while taking into account the realities of your economic situation.
Rent Chart for Healthcare and Facilities Staff at Lady Minto Hospital Foundation
The following table outlines the affordable rent ranges for healthcare and facilities staff based on the standard 30% of income guideline and the 50% “crisis-level” Maximum rent threshold. These figures are calculated using full-time gross monthly income.
| Position | Hourly Wage | Monthly Income (Full-Time) | Affordable Rent (30%) | Maximum Rent (50%) |
| Community Health Workers | $22.38–$24.47 | $3,580–$3,915 | $1,074–$1,174 | $1,790–$1,958 |
| Food Service Workers | $18.51–$22.84 | $3,200–$3,600 | $902–$1,096 | $1,600–$1,800 |
| Health Care Aides | ~$29.83 | ~$4,300 | Up to $1,432 | Up to $2,150 |
| Nurses (RNs) | $37–$50+ | $6,000–$8,000 | $1,800–$2,400 | $3,000–$4,000 |
| Lab Technicians | ~$31–$38 | ~$5,000–$6,500 | $1,500–$2,000 | $2,500–$3,250 |
| Imaging Technicians | ~$32–$40 | ~$5,200–$6,800 | $1,560–$2,040 | $2,600–$3,400 |
| Housekeeping Staff | $20–$24 | $3,200–$3,840 | $960–$1,152 | $1,600–$1,920 |
| Maintenance Workers | $25–$28 | $4,000–$4,480 | $1,200–$1,344 | $2,000–$2,240 |
| Clerical Staff | $22–$26 | $3,520–$4,160 | $1,056–$1,248 | $1,760–$2,080 |
Key Insights for Landlords
- Greatest Need: The most critical housing need is among lower-income workers such as food service staff and housekeeping staff. These workers often struggle to find housing within even the 50% crisis-level range.
- Crisis-Level Housing Costs: Many Salt Spring Island renters are already paying over 50% of their income on rent and utilities due to the severe housing shortage. This is often not sustainable and we are working together to keep as many of our healthcare workers out of this situation as possible.
- Median Household Income: The median household income on Salt Spring Island is approximately $71,538/year, or about $5,962/month, meaning a typical household can afford around $1,788/month (30%) or up to $2,981/month (50%) for rent.
How Landlords Can Help
By setting rents within these ranges—especially closer to the 30% threshold—you can:
- Provide stable housing for essential healthcare and facilities staff.
- Support Lady Minto Hospital and other healthcare facilities in maintaining operations by ensuring workers can live locally.
- Contribute to the community’s overall well-being during a time of severe housing shortages.
The goal is to create a win-win situation where healthcare workers can afford to live and work on Salt Spring Island while landlords maintain a sustainable rental income and the benefits of living in a community supported by excellent healthcare. By offering reasonable rents, especially for lower-paid positions, you’ll be contributing to solving the island’s critical healthcare staffing challenges.
Thank you for considering offering affordable housing for the benefit of our healthcare system, it a big part of what makes Salt Spring a safe place to live.
