Explore Whitefish passes $250,000 mark to support affordable housing
Explore Whitefish has donated more than a quarter million dollars to affordable housing initiatives in the past two years. Its most recent allocation to Housing Whitefish for $35,000 collected in the first quarter of this year includes funds for operations, program development, and rental assistance payments. Total payments over the past two years are $266,682.
Local restaurant business members contributed directly through the 1% Community Sustainability Fund (CSF).
CSF is Explore Whitefish's 1% voluntary assessment from revenues collected at member restaurants, hotels and transportation companies. 50% of the CSF collected at member restaurants directly supports affordable workforce housing. 125 business members actively participate in Explore Whitefish by collecting the 1% fee or paying a flat retail membership rate, demonstrating their commitment to the community.
“Explore Whitefish and our members are working hard to keep our town a vibrant place where all residents can live, work, and play,” says Julie Mullins, Executive Director of Explore Whitefish. “Support for workforce housing is a significant way we make a big difference by working together.”
Established by the City of Whitefish, Explore Whitefish is the official visitor organization charged with destination management, visitor education, visitor management, and stewardship of Whitefish. Housing Whitefish advocates for, creates, and plans a sustainable housing supply that everyone in Whitefish can afford. It recently launched a new Whitefish Workforce Assistance Program, designed to provide rental assistance payments for qualified residents.
"The funding from Explore Whitefish has allowed us to focus on delivering a high-quality program like the Whitefish Workforce Assistance Program, used for direct rental assistance payments,” said Daniel Sidder, executive director for Housing Whitefish. “Our partnership with Explore Whitefish and the support from member businesses has accelerated our progress and moved the needle in a short time."
“We recognize tourism needs to be responsibly and effectively managed to minimize disruptions to our community and way of life,” said Mullins.
“That is why our board of directors shifted our mission and vision to destination stewardship and only seek to attract travelers looking to support sustainable destinations. Our locally-owned businesses are the backbone of our community. They cannot survive without travelers who can be a collective force for good.”
Other portions of the CSF collections support vital sustainable tourism management and visitor education programs, including the Whitefish Sustainable Tourism Management Plan, the "Friend of the Fish" visitor education campaign, crisis communications, and Protect Our Winters. They also support education and inspiration initiatives for seasons when visitation is lowest, redirecting potential travelers from the summer peak season.
Explore Whitefish asks all residents interested in supporting affordable workforce housing to support member restaurants that collect the CSF. A list of Explore Whitefish restaurant members can be found at https://explorewhitefish.com/dine.