House Assisted Program (Research Paper Sample)

Employer-assisted Housing Program Student’s Name Institutional Affiliation Date July 23, 2022 Andrea Smith, chairman of the Board of Directors Metro Parks Tacoma, 4702 S. 19th St. Tacoma, WA 98405 Dear Andrea Smith I have enclosed my "Employer-Assisted Housing Program to Employees" as requested from the proposal. The report highlights the benefits of offering an employer-assisted housing program and how it benefits employees, organizations, and the surrounding community. The report highlights the housing problem in the region and how to address the housing challenges to your employees. It exhaustively discusses how the organization will benefit from the program. I sincerely hope that reading this report will give a clear picture of how the project will have unimaginable benefits for all stakeholders. Thank you for your consideration and attention to this report Yours sincerely xxxxx Table of Contents TOC \o "1-3" \h \z \u Abstract PAGEREF _Toc109476931 \h 4Employer-assisted Housing Program PAGEREF _Toc109476932 \h 5Introduction PAGEREF _Toc109476933 \h 5History PAGEREF _Toc109476934 \h 5Purpose PAGEREF _Toc109476935 \h 6Overview of the Methodology PAGEREF _Toc109476936 \h 6Primary Research PAGEREF _Toc109476937 \h 6Secondary research PAGEREF _Toc109476938 \h 7Results PAGEREF _Toc109476939 \h 7Cost of Housing in Tacoma PAGEREF _Toc109476940 \h 7Benefits of Housing Assisted Programs PAGEREF _Toc109476941 \h 8Cost of the Project PAGEREF _Toc109476942 \h 11Recommendation PAGEREF _Toc109476943 \h 12Conclusion PAGEREF _Toc109476944 \h 13References PAGEREF _Toc109476945 \h 14 Abstract Employer-assisted housing programs have a long history in the United States. However, these programs are rarely implemented, and only a few anchor institutions such as universities and healthcare have implemented them. The corporate sector shies away from the program due to a lack of information. This paper details how Metro Parks Tacoma can implement the program and help reduce the housing crisis in Tacoma and, at the same time, reap many benefits from the program. Tacoma County is experiencing a housing crisis, and many prefer single-family homes. The company can assist its employees in maneuvering the problem by providing single-family homes and mortgaging them or offering grants or forgivable loans. It can also provide information through seminars on available housing programs in the region. However, the organization will benefit from employee retention, recruitment, community revitalization, and community relations. Employer-assisted Housing Program Introduction  Housing issue remains a significant issue in the United States. Tacoma is a county in Washington State, and the housing problem is highlighted by a recent report by the Planning and Development Service City of Tacoma. The report shows that residents are facing increasing challenges in accessing houses that they can afford and meet their needs. Another report by the Affordable Housing Strategy reveals that Tacoma is in a housing affordability crisis. However, despite these challenges, employer-assisted housing programs can be a game changer to the housing problem in the country. Tacoma County has numerous large organizations to engage in search programs. Ogunrinde, Lupini & Boerschinger (2019) argues that although the program has a long history in the United States, its existence of such a program is uncommon and unfamiliar to many. The employer's motivation to engage in such a program benefits employee retention, community revitalization, employee recruitment, and community relations. The corporate side lags in implementing the project compared to anchor institutions such as universities and hospitals. However, the cause of this problem is a lack of awareness of quantifiable gains that will result from the project. Employers also lack adequate information such as employee turnover, employer recruitment, and offering house assistance to engage in such programs. Therefore, this paper provides an assessment and reveals the benefits of hiring in such a program. History Metro Parks Tacoma is a well-established organization with more than 3000 employees in the recreational facility and services. Metro Parks Tacoma is a CAPRA-accredited and independent part district that supports the development of a healthy and sustainable community. It offers recreational facilities and services such as parks, open spaces, and program services that promote economic development and tourism. Metro Parks Tacoma participates in environmental conservation by providing green infrastructure to manage climate change. They improve communities by creating safer neighborhoods and promoting multiculturalism. They offer many experiences, including but not limited to two AZA-accredited zoos, 760-acre Point Defiance Part, and community centers. Purpose When thinking about the future of housing in Tacoma, it is clear that most people, regardless of their age, prefer single-family homes. Any housing program needs to look not only at preferences but also at the affordability of the house. Metro Parks Tacoma is a huge organization with over 3000 employees, but it does not have a specific housing program for its employees. In this project, I propose a house program for Metro Parks Tacoma’s employees, which is practical and beneficial to the employees and the organization.  Overview of the Methodology Primary Research The primary research was conducted in two different locations. Interviews were used to source the information needed on whether the program would be feasible and the benefits Metro Parks Tacoma was likely to get from the program. In the first research, we interviewed The University of Scranton, which has implemented numerous such programs in its region. The phone interview and online questionnaires were used to get the information required. The second primary research involved the employees of Metro Parks Tacoma. We focused on evaluating their perception of such a program. One-on-one interviews were conducted involving ten employees from different departments, and opinions were recorded. Secondary research My secondary research focused on finding such programs' feasibility and benefits. To find the feasibility, the research focused on finding the cost associated with such a program and finding various stakeholders to be involved in the program. The feasibility study also checks whether Tacoma has the best climate to engage in such a program. However, this is to check whether there is a high demand for houses; therefore, the program is feasible. The second part of the research analyzes the literature on the importance of employee benefits, especially management literature. This literature finds evidence-based information on the importance of such a program and the benefits it intends to gain if it decides to invest in the program. Results Cost of Housing in Tacoma Reports on the cost of living reveal that Tacoma’s overall cost of living is 8% percent higher than the national average. Factors considered when calculating the cost of living include the price of utilities, transport, housing, groceries, health, and miscellaneous, among others. Although the cost of living depends on average income, some costs may be higher, leading to residents spending much on one item.  Despite Tacoma being the largest city in Washington, it is currently experiencing a housing crisis, according to a report by Esri, a global leader in geographical information systems, location intelligence, and mapping. The housing crisis is a phenomenon of an increase in population in recent years. This problem disproportionately affects the minority, who are historically marginalized, to secure a place to live. Additionally, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has further escalated the problem making people experience financial hardships. According to the report, from 2010 to 2019, the city has added three residents for every new house unit. This problem has challenged the city housing department to develop innovative ways to make housing affordable. One way of improving affordability is to provide assistance programs to the people. The city has implemented several programs to improve affordability. The Housing Opportunity Program (HOP) is one such program that assists renters in becoming self-sufficient in their housing needs. This action enables participants to secure better jobs and prepares them for a bright future. Another program is the Original Housing Opportunity Program, which offers housing subsidies to seniors, the disabled, and people in HOP programs. Work-able people also receive assistance but only for five years. Despite the presence of these programs, the city still experiences housing challenges. Specifically, the median cost of housing in Tacoma is $432,400, compared to the national average of $291,700 (Tacoma Housing Authority, n.d.). The housing cost in Tacoma is higher than the national average.    Metro Parks Tacoma can assist in addressing the housing crisis in the city by engaging in an employee housing program. This program is feasible and beneficial to the organization through improved employee productivity. Philadelphia is one of the regions where assisted housing programs are popular. Organizations engage in these programs not only good for employees but also for them. Philadelphia introduced a policy proposal to employers in 2007 to engage in housing-assisted programs to assist low-income earners in securing houses and, simultaneously, improve productivity in their organizations (Treuhaft, n.d). This action is not only a social responsibility for the organization but also a strategy to improve its performance. Benefits of Housing Assisted Programs When it comes to jobs, and the economy, where employees live affects their productivity, thus affecting the organization's profitability. Employer-assisted housing helps employees secure a good house and also a...