Doctor turns housing nightmare into statewide assistance program

MARSHFIELD — Medical students and traveling nurses often face challenges securing housing during temporary assignments.

Christina Henderson, a physician based in Madison, described her experience finding housing during a medical school rotation at Duke.

“The medical school does not help you find housing,” Henderson said. “You have to find something for thirty days that’s furnished and close to the hospital. I used one of your classic websites to do that. When I moved into the house, the room I rented happened to be a hoarder home, and I had no idea. There were also cockroaches in my room.”

Henderson said she later learned other medical students had similar experiences.

She and her husband began identifying homeowners in the Madison area who could provide housing for medical students and traveling nurses.

“We started with about five units, then quickly grew to over 200,” Henderson said. “Then we said, ‘Okay, who needs help the most next?’ and it turns out to be your area. Healthcare professionals are coming into the area because the hospital is short-staffed, but when they can’t find housing, they cancel their contracts because housing is such a barrier.”

The program, called Reliable Residence, launched in July.

It provides a website where users can view available rentals for medical professionals. Housing options include rooms in private homes, apartments and full houses.

Some properties allow multiple renters to share costs.

Henderson said all properties are reviewed before being listed.

Some homes allow pets and include yard space.

Utilities and Wi-Fi are included in all rental prices.

The minimum rental period is 30 days, with longer stays allowed.

Background checks are conducted at the discretion of the property owner.

Henderson said the program plans to implement background checks for homeowners.

Rental prices range from $650 to $4,000 per month, depending on the property. A five percent processing fee is included in the listed rent to cover website costs. Rental payments are otherwise set by the property owner.

While the program is intended for healthcare workers, it is also available to others seeking housing.

A search of properties in Marshfield — home of Sanford Health Marshfield Clinic — turned up zero current listings, as the program works to enter the area.

For more information, visit www.reliableresidence.com or call (608) 514-1930.