How can you get involved as an employer and business leader?
Why Housing Matters to Business
Affordable housing is essential to a strong workforce. When employees can live near where they work, recruitment improves, turnover drops, and productivity rises. Employers who engage in housing solutions strengthen their talent pipeline and demonstrate community leadership - key factors in long-term regional competitiveness.
How Employers Can Get Involved
1. Help Employees Directly
Simple, high-impact programs can improve retention and job satisfaction:
- Down payment or closing cost assistance
- Secondary (gap) financing
- Relocation or rental support
- Homebuyer education and financial counseling
Many employers start here, partnering with local nonprofits or programs that provide counseling, grants, or matched savings.
2. Increase the Supply of Workforce Housing
For employers with capital or land, investments in housing supply can help stabilize their workforce:
- Contribute recoverable capital or equity to housing projects
- Partner on blended development projects with employee leasing preferences
- Donate or repurpose underused land or property for workforce or mixed-income housing
3. Shape Policy & Systems Change
Employers can also lead through advocacy by endorsing local and state policies that expand housing tools, funding, and incentives. Joining with other employers and leaders amplifies impact and signals shared commitment to community stability and growth.
Partner with Front Porch Investments
Front Porch Investments can help employers explore investment models, partnerships, and development opportunities that create affordable housing options for employees and the community. Ways to partner may include:
- Invest or co-invest in workforce housing projects
- Donate or activate land for development
- Endorse policy initiatives that expand local housing tools
Contact us at hello@frontporchinvestments.org or download the Employer Action Guide below.
Ready to take more action?
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Listen to this recent episode of WBUR's On Point focusing on the ways some local governments and businesses are helping with down payment costs to attract and keep employees.
