In Hawaii's tight labor market, a bigger paycheck isn't always enough.
Some employers are tackling one of the state's biggest challenges head-on by helping workers find a place to live.
Companies in healthcare, education, construction, and hospitality are increasingly investing in workforce housing as a way to recruit and retain employees. For many businesses, housing has become as important as traditional benefits like health insurance or retirement plans.
The reason is simple: Hawaii's high housing costs make it difficult for many workers to live near their jobs, and employers are feeling the impact through staffing shortages and turnover.
Some companies are building employee housing, while others are partnering with developers to create below-market rental units for their workforce. One example is The Queen's Health Systems, which is developing a new hospital campus in Kona that will include 150 below-market apartments for employees.
For businesses, the strategy is less about real estate and more about solving a workforce problem.
As housing costs continue to rise, helping employees find an affordable place to live is becoming more than a benefit. For some Hawaii employers, it's turning into a competitive advantage.