Living in one of Canada's finest resort communities is great fun for all, except those who are trying to work there.

Since Whistler, British Columbia, has gained recognition on the international ski scene, property values have soared. Many long-term property owners are being forced out of Whistler by the increasing costs of living in an up-scale resort town. These trends, amplified by the current Olympic bid and a mountain-locked location, could force affordable housing out in this mountain community, but not if the Whistler Housing Authority (WHA) has any say in the matter.

Armed with its recently-granted funding from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation's Affordable Choice Today (ACT), the Whistler Housing Authority is intent on developing new land-use regulatory mechanisms that will limit further erosion and gentrification of the remaining, more affordable, housing stock.

The Whistler Housing Authority, formed in 1997, is a non-profit corporation and a subsidiary of the local government, the Resort Municipality of Whistler. The WHA is a small organization, staffed with only 3 employees – the General Manager, the Housing Administrator, and an Office Administrator – and governed by a Board of Directors drawn from the community at-large.

Climbing real estate values are putting pressure on older ‘ski chalets' that represent affordable housing in this increasingly-affluent community. Many of these older homes provide the remaining rental opportunities for Whistler's workforce. Until recently, these properties were also the only single family homes that locals could afford to purchase. As these homes are sold, they are typically being demolished and replaced by new high-end vacation homes that are not intended to house members of the resident workforce.

Using its federal C$10,000 ACT Program grant, the Whistler Housing Authority plans a feasibility study of proposed regulatory changes that would help mitigate the loss of affordable housing due to rental conversion, gentrification and increasing property taxes.

The WHA seeks solutions that will retain and secure housing for the resident workforce and local property owners without requiring additional municipal funding to construct housing.

The following regulatory changes will be examined:

Published: April 15, 2003

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