NEW | WHA Waitlist Positions available to Permanent Residency Applicants
We have exciting news to share! The Whistler Housing Authority (WHA) is announcing a pilot project that will make housing more accessible for Whistler’s long-term workforce who have applied for Permanent Residency in Canada.
What’s New?
After careful consideration, the WHA Board of Directors has approved a proposal enabling qualified Whistler employees who have applied for Permanent Residency in Canada to join the WHA Employee Housing Waitlists. This means that Whistler employees on this path will have the opportunity to secure a spot on the WHA Rental and Ownership Waitlists, provided they meet all other Employee Housing Program eligibility requirements.
Why did we enact this change?
Based on program eligibility feedback received from program participants, Whistler businesses, newcomers to Canada, the WHA Board and the WHA team, a 1-year pilot project has been developed to allow members of Whistler's workforce who have applied for their Permanent Residency (PR) status in Canada, to be eligible to hold a position on the WHA Rental and Ownership Waitlists.
What Does This Mean?
PR applicants won't be able to purchase or rent a WHA unit until they obtain their Permanent Residency status from the Government of Canada, but this change will enable earlier entry onto the WHA Waitlists, thereby reducing wait times for those already working in Whistler as full-time employees. By creating this opportunity, Whistler employees can now plan their future in Whistler with greater certainty, and a shorter wait, for securing stable and affordable housing.
Why Does it Matter?
Our vibrant resort community thrives on the dedication and diversity of its workforce. By extending waitlist positions to those on the path to Permanent Residency, we are offering hope to applicants by bringing them closer to stable and secure long-term housing. It also allows Permanent Residency Applicants to forge deeper local connections, contributing to a more inclusive and diverse resort community. This initiative could mean access to housing 13 months earlier based on current immigration wait times.
This new initiative reflects community, business, and participant feedback on how the Employee Housing Programs can evolve to make a positive difference for Whistler. This program change will help to support employee retention, social integration, reiterates our commitment to Whistler's workforce and aligns with the WHA's Mission: To provide employee housing solutions that support and enable our community to thrive and make Whistler the place to call home.
Looking Ahead
The opportunity for Permanent Residency Applicants to join the WHA Rental and Ownership Waitlist begins June 1, 2024. Please help us to spread this good news by sharing it with friends, colleagues, and businesses.
Applications
WHA Waitlist Applications for those applying under the Pilot Project for Permanent Residency Applicants can be submitted as of June 2024 through the regular application process for each the WHA Rental Waitlist and the WHA Ownership Waitlist. Please include your letter from the IRCC acknowledging receipt of your complete application for Permanent Residency in lieu of a Canadian Passport or PR Card.
Contact Us
Questions about the pilot project, Employee Housing Waitlists, and eligibility can be directed to:
Email: mail@whistlerhousing.ca
Phone: (604) 905-4688
In person: Lobby Level 325–2400 Dave Murray Place Whistler, BC V8E 0M3
