In today’s challenging housing market, the need for affordable housing has never been more crucial. The United States is facing a significant shortage of affordable homes, with millions of individuals and families struggling to find suitable and affordable housing options. Development and implementation of workforce housing initiatives have not kept pace with the evolving landscape of economic and workforce dynamics. This discrepancy in economic development profoundly impacts both the community and its workforce. Individuals qualifying for affordable housing often face limited opportunities within a reasonable proximity to their residences. A viable solution exists for companies with the necessary capabilities and appropriate partners: Employer Assisted Housing.
Employer Assisted Housing is any housing program—rental or homeownership – that an employer finances or assists in some way. Communities face increasing pressure to provide more housing for local employees. Workforce housing programs aim to bridge the gap between rising housing costs and modest incomes by offering affordable rental units or homeownership opportunities. By facilitating proximity to job centers and reducing commuting times and costs, workforce housing not only improves the quality of life for individuals and families but also helps communities thrive economically. These initiatives often incorporate income restrictions, mixed-income developments, or partnerships between public and private sectors to ensure that a diverse range of workers can access affordable housing options within their communities.
Employers can work in partnership with their communities to help address the affordable housing shortage. The result is a stable local workforce and a healthy local economy.
CASE STUDY:
THE NEST – Streck Employer Assisted Housing
Location: 11623 Emiline Street La Vista, NE 68128
Number of Units: 84
Year Completed: 2023
The Nest offers studio, one and two bedroom apartment homes along with great amenities. The Nest opened in 2023 as an affordable housing initiative for employees. As part of this program, competitive rental rates are provided to select employees from preferred local employers based on salary range.
