Dallas, TX – August 27th, 2025 — HomeVest has launched its employee benefit platform, designed to help workers save for homeownership through payroll deductions with employer-matching contributions. The service, described as a “401(k) for homeownership,” provides employees with a structured pathway to build savings for a first home while offering employers a cost-effective tool to address workforce retention.
The launch comes as the average age of first-time homebuyers has reached 40 years old, the highest on record. At the same time, industries such as healthcare and hospitality continue to face high turnover costs. Nurse turnover alone averages 16–18 percent annually, with the replacement of a single nurse costing between $40,000 and $60,000.
“In the late 20th century, the 401(k) gave employees a structured system to save for retirement,” said Jonathan Mena, Founder of HomeVest. “Homeownership, however, never received a similar solution. HomeVest is designed to fill that gap by helping employees save consistently while enabling employers to reduce turnover costs.”
Employer Impact in Healthcare
Turnover is particularly costly for large hospital systems. Industry estimates show that the three largest providers – HCA Healthcare, CommonSpirit Health, and Tenet Healthcare . Together employ more than 200,000 nurses. At current turnover rates, these systems lose a combined total of more than $2 billion annually in replacement costs. With average nurse turnover at 16–18 percent, even a modest 5 percent reduction could save HCA more than $50 million, CommonSpirit approximately $30 million, and Tenet nearly $17 million per year.
A HomeVest program with a $200 monthly employer match would cost $2,400 per nurse annually, making the investment a fraction of the cost of replacing staff.
Industry Trend
Analysts note that homeownership benefits may follow the same adoption path as retirement savings plans in the 1980s. As more organizations test programs like HomeVest, such benefits could become a standard part of compensation packages, alongside retirement and healthcare.
HomeVest is a Dallas-based startup redefining employee benefits by creating a structured, payroll-based savings platform for homeownership. Designed as the “401(k) for homeownership,” HomeVest enables workers to automatically save from each paycheck while employers contribute matching funds, giving employees a realistic path to building homebuying power. By helping employees achieve one of life’s biggest milestones, HomeVest provides companies with a cost-effective way to improve retention, boost recruitment, and support long-term financial wellness.