In Whistler, the Whistler Housing Authority (WHA) has a number of adaptable employee housing units. People with disabilities will have priority to these units when they become available based on their position on the WHA waitlist. 

In addition to the inventory of WHA adaptable units, the following resources and rebates are available to support people to make accessibility improvements to their homes.

Standards and guidelines

• CSA B652 – Accessible Dwellings
• Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) resources
• BCBC – Building Accessibility Handbook 2020

Rebate programs

• BC Rebate for Accessible Home Adaptations (BC Housing) 
• Home renovation tax credit for seniors and persons with disabilities – (BC Government)
  • The Home renovation tax credit for seniors and persons with disabilities assists eligible individuals 65 and over and persons with disabilities with the cost of certain permanent home renovations to improve accessibility or be more functional or mobile at home. 
• Home Improvement Assistance Programs (BC Government)
  • Home Adaptations for Independence helps low-income seniors and people with disabilities finance home modifications for accessible, safe, and independent living.  
• Home Accessibility Tax Credit (HATC) (Federal Government)
  • A qualifying individual who is eligible for the disability tax credit at any time in the year or who is 65 years of age or older at the end of the year can apply for a tax credit for modifications to an eligible dwelling.
• Home Buyers’ Tax Credit (Federal Government)
  • This is a non-refundable tax credit that helps homeowners to recover closing costs. If you have a disability (i.e., you are eligible for the disability tax credit) or if you bought the house to improve accessibility for someone who is disabled, you can claim up to $10,000 for the purchase of a qualifying home on your personal tax return on the year of purchase. 
• Home Buyers’ Plan (Federal Government)
  • The Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP) is a program that allows you to withdraw from your registered retirement savings plans (RRSPs) to buy or build a qualifying home for yourself or for a related person with a disability. 
• Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP) On-Reserve (CMHC)
  • Funding to help modify on-reserve housing to accommodate the needs of persons with disabilities. CMHC will provide up to $60,000 for the needed accessibility modifications.

Learn more about accessible services, programs, goods and facilities in Whistler.