Purchasing Team Member Seasonal & Temporary Housing

How has this idea enhanced your club's operation, etc.?

Grey Oaks Country Club faced a critical challenge in providing affordable housing for its employees, particularly its seasonal staff. Rising rental costs and diminishing availability had compounded this issue, threatening the Club’s ability to hire and retain top talent, ultimately impacting the quality of the Member experience. To address this pressing concern, the Board of Directors established an Ad Hoc Committee on Workforce Housing.

Naples currently has a limited local pool of hospitality workers. This shortage is expected to become more severe in time with the opening and reopening of similar high-end hospitality properties and private clubs. Grey Oaks annually hires around 100 seasonal employees, the majority being H-2B foreign nationals, to properly staff club operations and provide the Member experience they enjoy.

Since there is an inadequate supply of affordable housing in the Naples area, the demand for such housing has increased, which has significantly raised rental costs. The costs of renting employee housing have reached a level where the Club felt it was appropriate to pursue alternative housing options that would provide a sustainable and stable solution over the long term. Such a solution would minimize future cost increases and ensure access to affordable housing.

How was this idea implemented, and what have been the club members' reactions?

The Ad Hoc Committee was created to solve the issue of continuing to find and rent apartments at high (and rising) market prices. The solution was to purchase an apartment building that could house everyone who needed a seasonal or temporary home, and would be equipped with modern amenities. Nothing was off the table, with over 30 existing buildings considered, along with the potential for new construction. Bellavista was found and after thorough inspections by housing industry experts, who sat on the Committee, it checked all the boxes for the Club’s need. A communication campaign was created to inform the membership of why this was an important need for Grey Oaks. Through the successful campaign, the membership stepped up and approved the purchase of the building, knowing this would be able to meet the labor demands of the Club for the long term. In this short time, this has enhanced our operation through employee morale and being able to recruit top talent from around the world, which has in turn, contributed to higher member satisfaction.