H.O.M.E Task Force

H.O.M.E is a Chamber task force comprised of Chamber board members, concerned business leaders, two councilors and the Whistler Housing Authority. H.O.M.E is short for Housing Our Many Employees.

The task force, chaired by Tom Horler and Ralph Forsyth, started in the fall 2006 when the Shoestring Lodge closed and the community lost 137 affordable beds.

The first initiative was the so-called Shoestring Accommodation Project. It provided short-term, affordable accommodation for new employees to town. Participation and contributions of individual accommodation providers were voluntary and not monitored. This also explains why the following numbers are only approximate:

Initially, 9 Bed & Breakfast providers, Whistler Blackcomb and Riverside Campground joined forces:  Between the end of September to mid December accommodation providers offered a bed for $20 and $40 depending on the style of accommodation. Later on the Holiday Inn and Whistler Front Desk Services joined offering a bed for $20.

All in all, there were more than 250 beds available for short-term, affordable accommodation that would not have been available without the Shoestring Project. Additionally, 5 hostels in Whistler and 1 in Pemberton that traditionally offer a night for $20-$30 added another 170 beds to the inventory. In total, approximately 420 beds were available for short term, affordable accommodation.

The Shoestring Project added value to the social sustainability in Whistler: Because of the size of a Bed & Breakfast, hosts often acted as counselors and guides to the newcomers. The value to Whistler cannot be underestimated.

Newcomers were informed on the 'Shoestring Deal' through the Welcome Packages, the Visitor Info Centre and the Employment Centre.

The second initiative was launched in July 2007 under the leadership of Gordon McKeever: the H.O.M.E Matching Program.   The H.O.M.E. Matching Program matches local businesses to Whistler landlords and second homeowners.  Please stay tuned for a program update in the New Year.

The third initiative, again under Gordon’s leadership, is a survey to identify long-term staffing needs as well as seasonal housing needs. For more information, email This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

On September 18th, 2007 the Whistler Chamber of Commerce hosted a public Business Forum on seasonal employee housing. Responses to questions raised by the public at the forum have been compiled by the H.O.M.E. Task. email This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it for more information.