National Park Foundation awards $6.9 million for workforce housing solutions

The National Park Foundation has awarded $6.9 million in grants to support workforce housing solutions across 17 national parks, aiming to address critical housing shortages that impact park staff and volunteers.

The grants will fund both immediate construction and acquisition projects, as well as long-term planning efforts to ensure parks have the necessary housing to attract and retain skilled personnel. Shortages in accessible, affordable, and quality housing have long been a challenge for the National Park System, with impacts on recruitment, operations, and the overall visitor experience.

Details of the funded projects include:

- The Human Resource Development Council District in Montana has reserved eight homes in a new housing development near Yellowstone National Park for purchase by National Park Service (NPS) employees. These homes will be available exclusively to NPS employees for the next 75 years, ensuring long-term affordability and setting a model for employee home ownership. - Friends of Little River Canyon in Alabama has begun the design phase for three duplex units for seasonal and permanent employees at Little River Canyon National Preserve. This includes preliminary surveys and designs for prefabricated units. - Redwood National Park in California is collaborating with the Yurok Tribe Construction Company to construct a dormitory for seasonal employees and volunteers. This partnership leverages local expertise for complex projects. - Iron Horse Society in Massachusetts is helping Steamtown National Historic Site explore three approaches to expand workforce housing: community-based units, adaptive reuse of historic rail cars as seasonal micro-housing, and conversion of an existing building on-site. - Dunes Learning Center in Indiana is repairing and renovating existing park housing for seasonal staff at Indiana Dunes National Park, while also purchasing community housing needed for partners.

Last year, NPF awarded $5.7 million in grants to 12 projects, adding housing for more than 65 park employees. The organization has also contributed to individual projects, such as the construction of 70 modular housing units for rangers at Yellowstone National Park and new housing for seasonal employees at Acadia National Park.

"Every national park relies on dedicated, skilled people to care for these places and create meaningful experiences for millions of visitors," said NPF President and CEO Jeff Reinbold. "Ensuring they have access to quality, affordable housing is one of the most meaningful ways we can support the park workforce and strengthen parks for the future."

The funds are made possible by the support of partners and donors, including Wells Fargo, the Malott Family Foundation, and individuals such as Lori and Rick Fernandes, Lincoln Robinson, and Wade Tregaskis.

This investment underscores NPF's ongoing commitment to enhancing the living conditions of those who work in and support the National Park System.