Montage Health purchases rental housing to help recruit clinicians to Central Coast

The need for doctors, nurses and clinicians combined with the high cost of living on the Central Coast is sparking Montage Health to look into affordable housing as a means of recruiting people to the nonprofit’s ranks, according to company representatives.

Representatives report that Montage Health is looking for specialty nurses, clinical lab scientists, physical therapists, nurse practitioners and doctors to fill open positons, which has been a challenging process due to competition for potential employees from medical companies as well as the cost of living on the Central Coast.

“Prospective candidates have to balance their desire to work with us with the high cost of housing and limited rental inventory, and, too often, housing has been a deciding factor,” said President and CEO of Montage Health Steven Packer, MD.

According to company representatives, Montage Health’s goal is to employ 80 physicians by 2021. The Montage Health family includes the Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, Aspire Health Plan, Community Health Innovations, Montage Medical Group, Montage Wellness Center and Montage Health foundation, and currently employs 42 physicians.

“Having this transitional housing will play an important role in assisting us in recruiting talented people. To provide the healthcare our community wants and deserves, we need to ensure that we continue to have the right people here with the right skills,” said Packer.

The apartment buildings contain 32 individual apartments, and are located on Lighthouse Ave. and Foam St. in Monterey. The accommodations will reportedly be ready to serve as temporary housing for clinicians recruited by Montage Health by the end of 2017.

Details regarding the price of rent the length of time that renters will be allowed to stay in the accommodations have not been released. Company representatives state that Montage Health currently does not have plans to rent to the general public.