This Okanagan sports lounge has bought a property for staff amid housing crisis
A restaurant in Vernon has invested in staff accommodations in response to an ongoing labour shortage and housing crisis.
The Roster Sports Club Bar & Grill purchased a house with a pair of two-bedroom suites where four employees can live. Those arrangements are more common in resort communities like Big White, Banff and Whistler.
“We know from past experience one of the biggest hurdles of recruiting and retaining employees is both the availability and the affordability of housing in Vernon,” owner Hussein Hollands said in a press release.
“By no means is the labour shortage unique to Vernon but since many people want to live in the Okanagan area, finding a place to rent, let alone an affordable place, is a huge obstacle – so we hope to help eliminate that stress and show the value plus of working at the Roster in this competitive job market.”
READ MORE: HOUSING CRISIS: Family of 5 forced to live in small Vernon motel room
One job posting for a line cook position at the Roster advertises the “option of rent-controlled accommodation.” The wages offered are $17 to $20 per hour.
“Whether it’s a local person looking for new employment opportunities or someone wanting to relocate, we think offering the potential for housing security will go a long way in showing our commitment and hopefully help new employees avoid the stress of the rental crisis in Vernon,” Hollands said.
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