Whistler Valley Housing Society launches website, takes steps towards accepting applications

The Whistler Valley Housing Society (WVHS) has officially launched its first website at wvhousingsociety.com.

Intended to provide more information on the society’s efforts to increase the diversity of Whistler’s housing stock, the website goes into the history of the society, which is distinct from the Whistler Housing Authority (WHA) and currently has two properties: 2178 Sarajevo Drive in Creekside, and the under-construction 1400 Mount Fee Road in Cheakamus.

“Construction is progressing well, currently the exterior siding is complete and flooring installation is well underway,” reads a release about the new building, which is part of Cheakamus Crossing Phase 2.

“The $15-million employee-housing project will provide 30 rental homes for Whistler employees. Fifteen units will be rented to clients of social service agencies and the other 15 to Whistler’s essential service workers.”

With occupancy estimated to begin July 1 this year, applications for tenants will open April 1.

To begin with, applications will only be open to essential service workers such as medical workers, paramedics and ambulance workers, Whistler RCMP, Whistler Fire and Rescue Service, utility workers and road maintenance staff, teachers, daycare workers, transit bus drivers and other employees in similar positions. The full list can be read on the WVHS website.

According to the release, the website is the first step towards an application process for prospective tenants, and notably, the society will not maintain a waitlist.

“Tenants will be selected on a needs basis rather than first-come, first-serve,” the site said.

The building at 1400 Mount Fee Road is a three-storey apartment building with secure underground parking. It is being built with funds leveraged from the original, 2178 Sarajevo Drive property, which was recently fully paid-down. The 30 units are divided into 18 one-bedroom and 12 two-bedroom units.

“WVHS thanks the Resort Municipality of Whistler for support by allowing Whistler’s first non-profit housing provider to build on the Cheakamus Crossing Phase 2 Legacy Lands. Thanks also to Whistler Development Corp. for acting as the developer on a non-profit basis,” the website said.

“WVHS has received no other government financial support and has provided its own equity through financing of 2178 Sarajevo Dr. The new building will be rented on a non-profit cost-recovery basis.”

The build at 1400 Mount Fee Road is one of a handful of employee housing projects underway as part of Cheakamus Crossing Phase 2, including lots 2B and 5, both of which will be operated by the separate WHA.