BY KAREN BOSSICK

Representatives from three organizations recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for a fourplex in Bellevue that will provide workforce housing for St. Luke’s Wood River employees and their families.

Representatives from St. Luke’s Health System, St. Luke’s Wood River Foundation and ARCH Community Housing Trust gathered for the occasion.

They broke ground for four long-term rentals for St. Luke’s employees in Quigley Farm in Hailey in September 2021, and those houses are expected to be ready for occupancy this coming fall. Four more units are planned for the Woodside neighborhood of Hailey.

“ARCH is thrilled to provide additional housing for St. Luke’s employees,” said Michelle Griffith, executive director of the non-profit, which is committed to developing affordable housing solutions. “Our partnership has been a tremendous asset to our organizations and has served as a model for employee housing development, both locally, regionally and nationally.”

The Bellevue project is a fourplex. Each unit has three bedrooms and two and a half bathrooms, as well as an attached garage, private outdoor space and plenty of storage. All of the units will allow pets, and all are in close proximity to bus service.

The limited availability of housing to rent or own significantly impacts the ability of St. Luke’s to recruit and retain employees, said Almita Nunnelee, Chief Operating Officer/Chief Nursing Officer of St. Luke’s Wood River.

“Despite offering financial incentives, the lack of available housing and the cost of living are frequently cited as the primary reason for declination of employment offers. This is a significant investment to help St. Luke’s Wood River recruit and retain critical healthcare workers,” she said.

“We are grateful for our donors who have helped put St. Luke’s Wood River Foundation in the position of strength from which it could invest in a housing solution for health care workers,” added Megan Tanous, chief development officer for St. Luke’s Wood River Foundation.

Those interested in supporting housing for healthcare workers can visit https://www.slwrf.org or contact Megan Tanous at 208-727-8444.

RENTING TO HEALTH CARE WORKERS

Homeowners who have rental properties that might accommodate St. Luke’s current and prospective employees are invited to submit information on a St. Luke’s Health System portal.

Information on rental property can be submitted to https://www.stlukesonline.org/housing

It will be securely shared with employees, potential employees and contracted work force in need of housing. The form allows for both short-term and long-term rental operations.

St. Luke’s is not the listing agent and will not enter into any agreements or contracts for the rental property.

Want to know more? Visit www.stlukesonline.org/housing