Our Mission - We connect, engage and advocate for Whistler seniors
History
First exploratory meetings in 1993
Incorporated as a non-profit organization under the Society Act of BC in 1995
Early efforts primarily focused on organizing, visioning, eligibility requirements and raising awareness
In fall of 2000 completed a Needs Survey from within membership, and retained a planning & development consultant
During year 2001 several new initiatives undertaken including: updating membership requirements; completion of an overview Site Opportunity Study, selecting sites for further consideration; preparation of a Subscribers Agreement, raising monies to help with initiatives; consultations with the Whistler Housing Association [WHA]; preparation of a formal submission to the municipality requesting 'A Municipal Policy And Assistance Relative To Seniors Housing'
Ongoing meetings with Municipal staff and Council Members, building awareness and emphasizing a sense of urgency [eg without some incentives, it is apparent that the market place will not be building any seniors housing]
In November 2001 Council confirmed by resolution that 'Housing developed exclusively for use by Whistler seniors [subject to appropriate price and resale controls and qualification requirements] is considered resident housing', and is therefore not subject to the municipal bed unit limit [eg formal recognition under the municipal resident housing policy]
Unfortunately over the years several seniors relocated to other municipalities because there has been no suitable housing for them in Whistler
In early 2003 a seniors housing task force was created as a Council initiative, and it reported back to Council with 12 recommendations
A follow-up policy report was presented by staff to Council in December 2003; soon after it was agreed that the RMOW would take on the lead role for delivery of seniors housing, with a first priority to find suitable site for seniors housing
By early 2004 MAC expanded its role in the community to represent seniors needs and issues on a broader scale
Early in 2005 MAC entered into a partnership agreement with the RMOW relative to the Whistler 2020, with our common purpose to work together towards a future that is sustainable for seniors; by now MAC is now well represented on organizations & committees throughout the community
In November 2005 MAC entered, in principle, into a Memorandum of Understanding [MOU] with the Whistler Housing Authority [WHA] , which set out guidelines for a partnership to facilitate the provision and administration of seniors restricted housing in Whistler
The MOU includes the qualification requirements for occupancy of seniors restricted housing, either as an owner or tenant
As part of this MOU agreement a MAC representative has been sitting on the WHA Board as a non-voting member since November 2005
During 2005 several opportunities for seniors restricted housing were identified by the Municipal Planning Department [in consultation with MAC], and three were selected for further consideration
By early 2006 these three seniors housing communities were moving forward through various stages of preliminary planning and the development process as part of more comprehensive developments [for more, refer to the Housing Page]