Income Below Costs

Permanent Residents

• In 2008, 31% of permanent residents had incomes or combined incomes below the cost of living. This result is up from 2007 and 2006 where the results were 27% and 18% respectively. 
• The 2008 data indicated that a lower proportion of couple households experienced challenges compared to all other household types. The proportion of households with 3 + members and incomes below costs increased from 33% in 2007 to 38% in 2008 experiencing more challenges than 1 and 2 member households.
• Housing, recreation and food items are the three largest costs for Whistler residents, in descending order.
  
  

Seasonal Residents

• A higher proportion of individual/single seasonal residents (85%) report incomes that fall below basic living costs, compared to other demographic groups in Whistler.
• Results in 2008 are higher than those in 2007 where 70% reported incomes below the cost of living.
• In 2006, the survey revealed that 30% of the seasonal residents with incomes below costs were not willing to work up to 40 hours per week in order to increase their income. If the case is similar in 2008, roughly 60% of residents who were working at least 40 hours per week or looking for more work would have income below costs as opposed to the reported 85%.
• Housing, recreation and food items are the three largest costs for Whistler residents, in descending order.
  
  

Benchmarks

• Similar studies in 2002 by HRDC Canada estimated that 26% of Canadian single males and females had incomes below basic living costs. The number for single males and females in BC was 32% and 34% respectively. Adjusting the Whistler methodology to match the HRDC methodology shows comparatively that 12% of individual/single permanent residents, and 75% of individual/single seasonal residents reported incomes below costs.

• Before purchasing new goods and services, have a visit to Whistler's Re-Use it Centre in Function Junction and save while reducing the environmental impact of buying new items.
• Housing costs represent the largest single cost item for residents. Sign up (at minimal cost) to rent or purchase a price controlled Whistler Housing Authority (WHA) apartment or townhouse.
• Purchase in bulk and keep an eye out for grocery flyers.
• Take a spirit course through the Whistler Chamber and purchase a Spirit Ski Pass.

• Helping to make Whistler more affordable will help businesses attract and retain a quality workforce. 
• Ensure employees wages and benefits (including a ski pass) or tips amount to a living wage. In 2008, a living wage in Whistler for a single resident was $13.94/hour based on 40 hours per week of work.
• Provide items "at cost" to employees.
• Purchase or rent housing and lease to employees at a reasonable price.

• Recreation & Leisure
• Residential Housing
• Arts, Culture & Heritage