The Whistler Housing Authority presented the 2015 Employer Housing Needs Assessment to the RMOW.

Here’s what we found out:

Source: Whistler Housing Authority (not an image of the new housing development)
Source: Whistler Housing Authority (not an image of the new housing development)

 According to the Whistler Housing Authority assessment, 79% of the 13, 200 full-time equivalent (FTE) workers in Whistler were housed in the resort town during the past winter season. The number of employees is projected to grow this coming winter at a .8% increase, bumping the number to 13,300 (FTE). Given this projection, and coming off a labour crunch over the summer, employers have already begun securing housing to attract staff for the coming winter season.

Mayor Nancy Wilhelm-Morden responded to these numbers when she spoke with us, saying: “Housing has been a challenge for Whistler historically, and that’s what led to the Whistler Housing Authority creation in the first place, and the number of resident beds that we have. And although it continues to be an issue, when we look at other resorts, we are way ahead of the game. So it’s a good thing that so many municipal councils over the years have paid attention to this issue”.

To the note that employers are already tacking down housing for future employees, the Mayor says, “No doubt there will be some challenges in finding accommodation, but I don’t think it will be as desperate as it was by some accounts this summer”. 

General Manager of the Whistler Housing Authority, Marla Zucht also presented the Whistler Housing Authority’s new employee housing project. This is slated to be a three story apartment located in Cheakamus Crossing, that will offer 27 units or 100 new employee beds. They will be approaching businesses for the opportunity to secure long-term leases for employees. If all goes according to plan, the building will be ready for occupancy in 2017.

More information is available at www.whistlerhousing.ca