Housing issues for National Park Service employees have been growing for some time now, in part due to the advent of Airbnb and VRBO being more lucrative for home owners than monthly rent. One park that has encountering housing issues is Mount Rainier National Park in Washington state, where officials are seeking housing for seasonal workers.
Through the end of February park staff is inviting rental property and business owners to submit leasing proposals for the months of April through November. Due to limited properties in the area, the park is looking to expand opportunities for seasonal staff to rent apartments, houses, and, or recreational vehicle trailers outside the park.
The park’s housing office will coordinate the leasing agreement and payment process. Rental rates for leased facilities and RV pads should include water, sewer, and electric costs. The park hopes to identify potential leasing partners and have agreements signed no later than April 2023 for the leasing period. The park hopes to continue this program into the future depending on available funding.
Interested parties can review the details of the leasing proposal by visiting the “Request for Proposals” section on the park’s website. Basic requirements include:
Houses and apartments must have a separate bedroom and bathroom apart from the owner, and ideally include at least two bedrooms and one bathroom.
Houses and apartments must have smoke detectors and full-sized kitchens.
Pads for trailers or recreational vehicles must, at minimum, accommodate a 40-foot by 12-foot RV, and have appropriate water, sewer, and electrical hookups.
Houses, apartments, and RV pads must be located within 50 miles of Paradise within Mount Rainier National Park. It must also be available for lease from April through November 2023 (eight months), or April through November 2024, or both.
Individuals interested in this opportunity can find more information on the park website or by contacting the housing office at 360-569-6536, Monday-Friday.
Indiana Dunes National Park officials have a similar request for housing for their seasonal workforce of park rangers, guides, maintenance workers, and research aids. The park is interested in leasing housing for employee use for up to one year. Furnished multiple-bedroom units are preferred, but staff will consider all proposals. For more information, contact Todd Fletcher at 219-395-1751 or [email protected]/indu