I recently read an article on the relationship between housing shortages around the country and healthcare professional shortages. We have both in Arizona. The housing shortage, especially in rural areas, presents a significant challenge for healthcare providers in recruiting and retaining staff, as seen in the case of Memorial Regional Health in Craig, Colorado. Promising job candidates often rescind their acceptances due to the difficulty in finding suitable housing, and those who do accept positions frequently have to settle for suboptimal living situations, such as residing in campers. This shortage encompasses a range of housing types, from low-income rentals to middle- and upper-income single-family homes, and is exacerbated by factors like the influx of urban remote workers and the burgeoning short-term rental market.
This issue extends beyond healthcare, affecting other
community employers including schools and businesses. Many rural healthcare
providers lack the resources to build employee housing and are thus turning to
creative partnerships to find solutions. In Craig, for example, the Memorial
Regional Health Board donated land to the Craig Housing Authority, which then
used grant funding to build a townhome complex. These homes, reserved in part
for healthcare employees, are affordable and come with restrictions to ensure
long-term affordability.
The rural housing market is complex and varies
regionally, with some areas experiencing significant growth while others see
declines or minimal changes. A common problem is the lack of affordable rental
properties and starter homes, contributing to a shortage in housing supply. The
scarcity of housing impacts the availability of accommodations for the
workforce and poses infrastructure challenges.
Rural healthcare providers face numerous hurdles due
to this housing shortage, affecting essential roles across various income
levels. As housing costs rise, a significant portion of rural households spend
more than 30% of their income on housing. Innovative projects are emerging to
address these challenges, such as one in rural Oregon that transforms a former
hotel into market-rate rentals for healthcare workers and permanent supportive
housing for those at risk of homelessness. This project has received positive
community response and serves as a model of collaboration to tackle housing
needs.
Columbia Pacific, the organization leading the Oregon
project, plans to assess the impact of their housing initiative on healthcare
recruitment and retention. This example underscores the importance of
affordable housing in ensuring a stable workforce in rural healthcare settings.
By offering budget-friendly housing options, healthcare providers can attract
and retain employees who might otherwise be deterred by the lack of suitable
living arrangements.
Solving the rural housing shortage requires
collaboration among healthcare providers, community organizations, and
government entities. The initiatives in Craig, Colorado, and rural Oregon
illustrate successful partnerships addressing this issue. Exploring alternative
housing models, such as modular or cooperative housing, could provide
additional solutions to alleviate housing scarcity.
The housing shortage in rural areas is a critical
issue impacting the recruitment and retention of healthcare professionals.
Addressing this challenge through innovative solutions and partnerships is
essential for maintaining a stable and effective healthcare workforce in these
communities. Let’s see if any Arizona legislators look into this and find a
solution.
