Haida Gwaii village faces housing crisis, targets short-term rentals

As more tourists flock to Haida Gwaii, off the northern coast of British Columbia, the remote archipelago’s largest village is facing an unusual problem.

Despite a declining population, Queen Charlotte village is experiencing a housing crisis, Mayor Greg Martin said.

“Housing is tight, we’re pretty close to zero vacancy,” he said. “Ironically, over the last 20 years we’ve had a reduction in population.”

Visitors are drawn to the moss-covered rainforests and historic totem pole and longhouse remains that mark some of the oldest examples of coastal First Nations villages.

Short-term rentals

In recent years, the tourism season has grown from