On shared unceded L̓il̓wat7úl and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh territory

As a resort municipality, balancing visitor accommodation and workforce housing has always been considered in development planning.  

Our goal is to house 75 per cent of the resort workforce in Whistler. We encourage a range of housing so people in the community can transition through housing types as their age and life stage change. In 2023, 84 per cent of Whistler’s workforce lived and worked locally, according to Community Life Survey data.

Employee housing is one of Council’s four 2023 to 2026 priority areas.  

Whistler Housing Authority 

The Whistler Housing Authority (WHA) oversees price-controlled rental and ownership housing for Whistler’s workforce and retirees. The WHA is owned by the Resort Municipality of Whistler but operates independently. They oversee 988 ownership and 327 rental homes in the community and have won numerous housing awards.  

Employee housing 

In Whistler, there are ownership and rental homes — including condos, townhouses and single-family homes — for people working for Whistler businesses.  

Some of these homes are sold on the open market as employee-restricted — to be lived in by a member of Whistler’s workforce.  

Additionally, some homes in Whistler include a rental suite that can only be rented by someone who works in Whistler.  

The Whistler Valley Housing Society also owns and operates affordable rental housing.  

Large employers like Whistler Blackcomb and hotels may also provide housing for their employees.  

Emergency, transitional and supportive social housing 

Whistler has emergency, transitional and supportive housing provided by local social services. Please contact these organizations for program details.  

Provincial housing policy 

In 2023, the provincial government brought in legislation designed to increase the number of homes. The legislation focuses on proactive planning for future housing need, increases financing options for development, and encourages communities to provide plenty of housing near to public transit. For Whistler, this legislation, and the municipal bylaws created in response, will encourage more housing for our current workforce and for professionals who might consider moving to our community in the future. 

Finally, both our own bylaws and new provincial regulations are used to ensure our rental housing remains open for local workers. The RMOW Bylaw Department uses Tourist Accommodation business licences to ensure residential homes are not rented as tourist accommodation.