The Whitefish Chamber of Commerce and the city of Whitefish last week launched an online employer housing survey, one key part of an effort to quantify the extent of the affordable workforce housing shortage affecting local workers and the businesses that employ them.

The survey can be accessed via a link on the Chamber’s website at www.whitefishchamber.org and will remain “live” through the end of August.

The Chamber and the city — with support from businesses and nonprofit organizations throughout the community — are spearheading efforts to assess the existing workforce housing shortage and develop a strategic plan for addressing those needs in the future.

Many Whitefish business owners report that filling open positions has become difficult because qualified job candidates can’t find affordable housing, according to Whitefish Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kevin Gartland.

All employers within the 59937 Whitefish zip code area are encouraged to participate in the short survey.

Many employers will be receiving links to the survey through an email invitation from the chamber. The survey is for all types of employers — small businesses, government agencies, large corporations, community organizations, self employed persons and all others.

“If you do not receive a personal invitation, please realize that your input is important, and we value all responses,” Gartland said.

Whitefish employers can access the survey at: http://sgiz.mobi/s3/Whitefish-Area-Employer-Survey. Surveys can also be accessed by going to the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce website at www.whitefishchamber.org, and clicking on the “Employer Housing Survey” link at the top of the page.

Direct any questions to Project Manager Wendy Sullivan at wendy@wswconsult.com.