The communities within the Islands Trust area present a unique circumstance in the discussion of affordable housing initiatives. Unlike urban centers where the majority of such developments are located, the islands do not experience the extensive homelessness or large special needs populations that many cities do. Although the islands are more characteristic of typical rural communities, they are unique in possessing high property values, a generally higher median population age, and significant limits on current and future development. These attributes of the Trust area result in communities that are often less diverse and less accessible than would be desired. The Islands Trust Policy Statement dictates that we should “address the community’s current and projected housing requirements  and states that “people of differing age groups and income levels should continue to have the opportunity to reside in island communities. The islands generally possess a market appeal that serves to maintain high property values, which can be attributed to their accessibility to urban centres, among other factors. Combined with a lack of rental housing, this often renders them inaccessible to low-income families and individuals. Concerns have been raised about the resulting situation by those interested in the creation of balanced and inclusive communities, as well as those who see that local service workers and other low-income earners have trouble procuring housing to fit their needs. The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation define housing affordability as a situation where no more than 3o% of gross household income is spent on housing.