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pemb housing

Go north, young renter Whistler, like many other ski resorts, has a problem producing "affordable" housing.

Go north, young renter Whistler, like many other ski resorts, has a problem producing "affordable" housing. For several years now cash-strapped renters and wannabe homeowners without enough cash to enter Whistler's real estate market have looked north to Pemberton for places to live — and to possibly buy. Whistler's housing problem could further bolster the market in Pemberton, according to one local realtor. Paul Woodside is in the process of selling a development near Pemberton's One Mile Lake called Creekside Village. "Basically the affordable housing market in Whistler has been our number one draw so far," says Woodside, who expects the 54 two- and three-bedroom townhouses will sell out quickly. Average costs for the two-bedroom units will be around $150,000 and the three bedrooms will go for around $170,000. The completion date is expected to be the summer of 1996. "We're not going to be able to help out with the shortage this winter but we expect to be helping out next year," he says. Woodside says he "fully expects" a majority of the new town homes to be absorbed by the Whistler housing market, whether it is owners, investors looking for revenue property through rent or possibly Whistler employers purchasing in Pemberton to create affordable, rental housing for their employees. Although he hasn't heard of any resistance about Whistler employees buying in Pemberton, Woodside says the Village of Pemberton is looking to expand its tax base.