INFORMATION FOR EMPLOYERS

The shortage of housing priced to be attainable by families who both live and work in Dutchess County is starting to severely impact local employers. Dutchess County is not alone facing this problem. According to research conducted by Rutgers University in New Jersey, “A shortage of housing affordable to workers of low- and moderate-income is imposing substantial and harmful costs upon employers in almost every regional economy across America. High housing costs are creating and/or exacerbating: labor shortages; the loss of key personnel (to lower housing cost areas); diminished productivity (due to lateness, absenteeism and other commutation-related problems), unacceptable recruitment, retention and wage cost distortions; slowdowns in the growth of regional economies; diminished or stagnant corporate real estate values (especially in urban areas) — and many other problems for employers.

WHAT DUTCHESS COUNTY EMPLOYERS CAN DO

WHC has researched the responses that employers in other areas have developed that have helped to stablize and even reduce their recruitment, training and retention costs and is partnering with Fannie Mae to analyize the cost/benefits of providing Employer Assisted Housing. A modest investment in providing this benefit can have measurable and long term impact in improving worker retention, lateness and absenteeism. For more information about EAH, complete a and return it to WHC, or you may contact us directly. Upon receipt of the questionnaire, staff will contact you to evaluate the benefits EAH for your business and to assist in the development of design options.

DUTCHESS COUNTY HEALTH CARE COUNCIL

The Dutchess County Health Care Council has recognized that lack of workforce housing is a priority issue for the health care industry in the region. In collaboration with WHC, Council members conducted a survey of employees to identify housing needs and desires for health care workers in the county. For more information about the survey, email us