On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti Down payments: Now paid by your employer
Nov 10, 2025
David Dworkin, President and CEO of the National Housing Conference, discusses the significance of employer-assisted housing programs in reducing turnover and improving workforce retention. April Norton, Director of the Jackson–Teton County Affordable Housing Department, highlights the unique challenges of high-cost resort communities, including the limited success of down payment assistance programs. Together, they explore how these initiatives aim to address the growing affordability crisis and their impact on municipal services and community dynamics.
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County Raffle Changed One Family's Commute
- Juan Carlos Cuvedo saved for years to buy near his job and finally won a county down-payment raffle.
- The $100,000 low-interest loan let him buy a $550,000 condo close to work and end long commutes.
Employer Programs Reduce Turnover
- Fannie Mae pioneered employer-assisted homebuyer programs to reduce turnover in the early 1990s.
- Forgivable loans tied to tenure significantly cut turnover and can pay for themselves.
Model Benefits To Hit A Break-Even Point
- Employers should model turnover and costs to set benefit levels that break even or outperform hiring costs.
- Adjust the benefit amount to hit retention goals rather than guessing the figure arbitrarily.