Western resorts that have identified affordable housing issues in their communities use Tenants for Turns as a way to help mitigate the shortage.

“Sugarbush is adopting this program to find additional, affordable housing in the local area for our workforce,” said Sugarbush HR director Annemarie Todd. “We recruit between 600 to 650 people each winter season, approximately 10 percent of whom need local housing. That number has been growing each year. Our current employee housing properties can accommodate 63 people, but this still does not meet our anticipated need.”

The program creates a mutually beneficial relationship for resort employees and local landlords. It is designed to suggest an affordable rent to property owners based on the surrounding rental market and employee salaries. In return, Sugarbush is offering participating landowners either ten ski vouchers, or a $100 season pass, or a Family Pass to the Sugarbush Health and Recreation Center for the winter season.

Landlords can fill out an application to get their rental unit on a list that the resort’s human resources department provides to employees looking for housing in the Mad River Valley.