WHA Board of Directors have approved a one-year pilot project for qualified Whistler employees who have applied for permanent residence in Canada to be eligible to apply to the WHA Employee Housing Waitlists (both Rental and Ownership), provided they meet all other eligibility requirements of the Employee Housing Program.
Who is eligible:
Waitlist Applicants who would otherwise be eligible for the WHA Rental or Ownership Waitlist other than their status in Canada and have initiated the process of their Permanent Residency application in Canada:
- Has submitted a complete application for Permanent Residency with Canada with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
- Working full-time for a Qualified Whistler Business (or meet the definition of a Retiree)
- Does not own real estate that would restrict access to an Employee Housing Program
Applicants can apply anytime while their Permanent Residency application is in progress. Proof of Permanent Residency will be required in order to complete eligibilty to become housed through the WHA Employee Housing program.
Applicants who have not provided confirmation of their Permanent Residency or Canadian citizenship will not be eligible to enter into a WHA Tenancy Agreement or a Contract to Purchase through the Whistler Housing Authority’s Employee Housing Program.
What Does This Mean?
While these applicants won't be able to purchase or rent a WHA unit until they obtain Permanent Residency status from the Government of Canada, this change allows for earlier entry onto the Employee Housing Program waitlists, therefore reducing wait times for those already working in Whistler as full-time employees. By extending this opportunity, employees can now plan their future in Whistler with greater certainty in securing stable and affordable housing.
Ongoing Eligibility of Pilot Project Applicants
Those applicants who apply during the one-year pilot project (June 2024 to end of May 2025) will be allowed to retain a position on the WHA Rental and/or Ownership Waitlists, subject to other program eligibility requirements, until such time as their Permanent Residency is approved, regardless of whether the pilot project is extended to be a permanent fixture of the Employee Housing Program.
Applications
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) 905-468
In person: Lobby Level – 2400 Dave Murray Place Whistler, BC V8E 0M3
