Whistler’s own Zero Ceiling is one of the lucky new tenants of the Whistler Valley Housing Society's (WVHS) new building in Cheakamus Crossing, allowing the social non-profit to house eight young people in the community.
“For the last five years we have been working with the Resort Municipality of Whistler and the community at large to find Zero Ceiling a stable home in Whistler, and our long search is over,” said co-executive director of Zero Ceiling, Sean Easton.
“We have been in conversation with WVHS as they worked hard to bring more affordable housing to Whistler. Zero Ceiling is a grateful recipient of five units, housing eight program participants. These new units are in addition to a three-bedroom WHA unit that Zero Ceiling has had since 2021,” he said.
The WVHS cut the ribbon on its new 30-unit building—The Nest—in Cheakamus Crossing in July, following a rapid construction period.
“We are so proud of the heightened standard of living that we can provide to our program’s community members,” said Easton.
“This move has also provided the opportunity for us to serve more people—increasing the number of people we can support, from nine to 11. We are housing more people for the same amount of rent, and it is a huge relief to no longer rely on private market rentals.”
Easton said Zero Ceiling could house program participants in the units for only $500 a month thanks to federal government support, “bringing true social housing to Whistler.
“As we settle into our new homes, we are preparing to welcome five new community members into our program this fall in preparation for the winter season,” he said.
Easton and Zero Ceiling expressed gratitude to the WVHS for working with them to provide housing, and to the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation for providing a grant to completely furnish the new units.
“We spent the month with the young people in our program essentially doing some life skills building IKEA furniture,” said Easton. The grant allowed the units to be fully furnished with all-new everything.
With the win, the non-profit has a new goal of raising $350,000 by the end of 2024 to support its services, with two fundraising events coming up.
The annual fundraising party will be held at Dusty’s on Oct. 19, while the end-of-year fundraising drive is ongoing.
