Housing Market Poses Problems for Northern Health

By 250 News

Recruitment and retention have always been challenging for rural communities, but the booming economy is creating extra pressure.

Northern Health is experiencing some difficulty in recruiting professionals to the northeast part of the region.  In particular there are challenges throughout Fort St. John, Dawson Creek and Fort Nelson.

The booming economy in that region of the province has resulted in a tighter housing market.  Northern Health’s Human Resources says that is making it more difficult to attract job candidates.  More remote communities are also facing recruitment difficulties.

Board Chair Jeff Burghardt says they will try to come up with some new ideas “Staff will look at a number of options to help us attract qualified health professionals.  In busy markets, we’ll be looking at how we can make it easier for new candidates to find housing.  We’re also going to work harder at recruiting from events that professional associations hold that our staff may be attending.”

The real estate market has been hot throughout the north.  The latest stats show that in the first half of 2005 in Fort St. John, the average price for a single family home was $186,830.  During the same period this year, the average price has climbed to $251,408.

Email | Print | Facebook | Twitter | Digg | Del.icio.us