NestSTEPS says homeownership benefits could boost retention

A new NestSTEPS survey of 1,000 U.S. full-time workers finds most employees want employer help with homeownership, while only a tiny share of employers offer it. The results frame housing support as a retention tool as workers face high home prices and mortgage rates.

Why it matters: - NestSTEPS says employer-sponsored homeownership support could help companies keep workers in a tight labor market. - The 2026 Workforce Housing & Financial Wellbeing Report found 89% of workers would be more likely to stay with an employer that offers homeownership assistance. - Only 1% of employers currently offer homeownership programs, leaving a wide gap between worker demand and benefits offerings. - The report links housing support to lower financial stress and less vulnerability to competitor poaching.

What happened: - NestSTEPS released findings from a survey of 1,000 U.S. full-time workers on June 9, 2026. - The Provo, Utah-based fintech employee benefits company said the survey shows homeownership benefits are an underused retention tool. - Larry Salazar, NestSTEPS president and co-founder, said employers should pay attention because most workers say they would stay, or even switch jobs, for the benefit.

The details: - 84% of workers said employer homeownership support would reduce their financial stress. - 86% said ongoing mortgage assistance would significantly increase the chance they would decline competing job offers. - 78% said they would consider switching employers for homeownership benefits, assuming equal pay, workload and schedule. - More than three-quarters of workers said they would likely or very likely stay with their employer even after receiving homeownership assistance and buying a home. - West Coast and Mountain West workers showed the strongest interest. - In the West, 91% said the benefit would reduce financial stress, and 85% said they would switch employers for it. - Workers earning $100,000 to $149,000 showed especially strong interest. - NestSTEPS said that income group may be able to afford a mortgage but still lack enough savings for a down payment. - Homeownership assistance ranked No. 3 of five benefits tested overall. - For renters of single-family homes, the benefit ranked No. 1, ahead of 401(k) matching and annual pay increases. - The company said its program combines savings tools, employer contributions and financial education. - The program includes personalized savings planning, FDIC-insured home savings accounts, flexible employer contribution strategies and onsite and virtual workshops. - NestSTEPS said employers can customize eligibility rules, contribution amounts and payment timing. - The company also said employers can model return on investment through reduced turnover. - As an optional enhancement, NestSTEPS said it can help employers identify operational savings through partner-supported strategies. - The release included a link to the full report and employer housing benefit recommendations. - The release also cited a Jan. 28, 2026 PR Newswire report saying the average cost of turnover reached $45,236 per worker. - That external report said nearly one-third of employers expect higher turnover because of better pay and benefits elsewhere.

Between the lines: - The findings suggest housing costs are now part of the compensation conversation, not just a personal finance issue. - NestSTEPS is positioning homeownership help against more familiar perks like PTO and workplace extras. - The data also points to a specific middle-income employee segment that may be hardest to retain because it can support monthly mortgage payments but still struggles with upfront housing costs. - The turnover-cost data gives employers a financial argument for treating housing assistance as a retention investment.

What’s next: - NestSTEPS is urging employers to consider housing benefits as competition for talent intensifies. - The company says employers that move first may stand out in a benefits market where traditional offerings are losing power. - The report frames homeownership assistance as a practical option for companies trying to reduce turnover and protect talent.