Mercy Health Announces Down Payment Assistance Program
Initiative will serve as companion project to Fountain Village Development
CLARK and CHAMPAIGN COUNTIES, OH (December 9, 2024) – Mercy Health – Springfield is hoping to recruit more health care providers to live in the communities they serve with a new housing down payment assistance program. The initiative offers home loans to health system employees who buy houses in Clark or Champaign Counties.
“Our goal is to encourage more of our employees to live in the area rather than commute in from outside counties,” explained Mercy Health – Springfield Human Resources Director Megan Douglas.
Through a partnership with Fifth Third Bank, the program provides $10,000 direct-to-home-loans for eligible employees, with an 18-month retention period starting on their closing date. Originally launched over the summer, the program is already showing success.
“The hardest thing was finding the house,” laughed Dr. Mutahher Mohammed, a new primary care physician at Mercy Health – Urbana Family Medicine and Pediatrics and the first person to take advantage of the new housing incentives program. “The process was very easy, and you actually get the benefit of the entire amount they provide versus a typical moving bonus where you get taxed on the amount you receive.”
The program’s launch comes just a year after the announcement of a partnership to develop and build homes on Fountain Avenue north of McCreight Avenue. The property designated for this project was previously occupied by Mercy Hospital for more than 60 years.
“We want to help folks get into the community where they work, whether that be our existing staff or new talent we’re bringing into the area. The goal is to help get them invested and involved, feeling connected to this community, so they can become long term fixtures in the amazing progress we’re making here,” said Mercy Health – Springfield president Adam Groshans during the 2023 announcement of the Fountain Village development.
In addition to housing incentives, Mercy Health offers competitive pay scales, excellent benefits including paid parental leave, as well as continuing education programs to help staff grow their careers without the threat of going into debt. To learn more about career opportunities at Mercy Health, visit www.mercy.com/careers.
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Contact: Jennifer Robinson
Mercy Health - Springfield Public Relations
(843) 798-1986, jennifer_robinson2@bshsi.org