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H.O.M.E. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The H.O.M.E. Matching Program (H.O.M.E. stands for ‘Housing Our Many Employees’) will provide temporary relief to the severe shortage of short-term housing in Whistler by offering an organized, professional and efficient rental experience to landlords and businesses. By matching landlords with local businesses (versus a diverse group of seasonal employees), H.O.M.E will access additional accommodation units that have not been on the market in the past. This Matching Program allows businesses to offer short term accommodation to their seasonal employees.

H.O.M.E. is a partnership between the Whistler Chamber of Commerce and the Whistler Housing Authority and managed by a licensed property manager.

The Goal

The goal is to secure a minimum of 100 seasonal beds from Whistler’s existing housing inventory for the 2007/08 winter. 

Background

The need for this program has been clearly quantified and established through the WHA’s 2006 employer’s survey, additional WHA monitoring statistics, anticipated demands associated wit the Olympics and anecdotal evidence.

The 2006 WHA Employer’s Survey reports that in 2005 30% of Whistler businesses failed to find enough staff to hire. The No. 2 reason was lack of housing and affordability (just behind not enough applicants). The classified ads in the two local papers are the fewest they have been since the winter of 2001/02. BC is posting record low unemployment levels at 4%; prospective workers have many choices in many places. Hundreds of additional staff are expected to arrive over the next three years to prepare for various elements of the 2010 games. 

Funding

Council dedicated $18,000 from the Employee Housing and Infrastructure Fund to fund the set up and operation of the H.O.M.E. Matching Program for the 2007/08 winter season. The Whistler Chamber of Commerce is providing an additional $15,000. The participating businesses will be required to contribute a one-time administration fee as well as a property management fee.

Housing Inventory

Properties will be matched up with the businesses based on their requirements. H.O.M.E.’s rental strategy is based on $450 - $500 per bed. While the price per bed depends on the quality of the home, the following factors will be taken into consideration: 
 

1. The rental accommodations offered to the employees must be as reasonably priced as possible.
2. Property owners will have revenue expectations which must be reasonably fulfilled or there will be no participating properties placed into the program for rent.

Mountain Country Property Management Ltd., a licensed property management firm, has been contracted to manage the inventory. Their managers will meet with prospective landlords to determine if the homes and rent are suitable for the program. Their managers will then match landlords with prospective businesses, manage the properties and coordinate financial transactions.

Benefits to Businesses:

• By providing an efficient and professional rental experience for landlords the WHA and the Chamber of Commerce will get access to additional rental inventory in Whistler. These rental units will be offered to interested Chamber of Commerce business members on a first come-first serve basis.
• Businesses will have access to an additional recruitment and retention tool.
• The program is managed by a licensed property manager who will meet and inform businesses on the terms of License of Occupation.
• The Property Manager will supervise any required maintenance on the unit and property inspections.

Benefits to the Employees:

• Many employees arriving in the fall are overwhelmed by their job and accommodation search. Finding accommodation through the employer makes their experience in Whistler much smoother.
• Employees gain confidence that they are paying a ‘fair’ amount for their unit as they are benefiting from an official rental program.
• Living in shared accommodations outside the H.O.M.E program can be emotionally and financially stressful: the group may have to cover rent and responsibilities for a delinquent tenant. Within H.O.M.E each employee is responsible for their rent only.

Benefits to the Community:  

• Providing additional beds for seasonal housing within the existing housing market.
  
• This program recognizes that our community and the success of the resort depend on the availability of reasonably priced housing for seasonal employees. 
• H.O.M.E provides an interim solution to the shortage of seasonal housing in Whistler.
  

How it works:

The Business Owner or General Manager indicates how many beds they would like to rent. The registration is secured by paying a one time admin fee of $100 per bed (per season) to the Whistler Chamber of Commerce.

Leases will be signed from November 1, 2007-April 30, 2008. Longer term leases are possible as well. 

The business will be responsible for rent and utilities for the entire duration of the lease as well as a management fee of $50/bed/month regardless of any vacancies.

The business will have to provide the damage deposit to secure the lease and post-dated cheques for the duration of a minimum of a 6 month rental term.  A longer rental term may be possible if the landlord is willing to extend.

Businesses may be able to deduct the rental expenses from the payroll. 

This program has been developed for small businesses that are members of the Whistler Chamber of Commerce. If you are not currently a member of the Whistler Chamber but like to participate in H.O.M.E, please contact Taralyn at (604) 932 5922 x 26. 

Bed units will be matched on a first come, first served basis.
 

Register your business now