Physician Interest in Hospital-Provided Housing

Many urban hospitals face a staffing crisis as a consequence of a shrinking and more costly housing market. Hospital administrators are committing health resources to purchase or build housing for their staffs. Questionnaire data were gathered from 240 interns, residents, and fellows across a wide range of income levels and current housing costs to determine their interest in such housing and to assess their status in the current housing market. A simultaneous equation model was developed that included current housing conditions, housing problems, and satisfaction levels, as well as selected demographic variables. Results indicated that physicians with children and those with insufficient bedrooms were not interested in such housing. Lower-income single and married physicians without children were most interested.