2706 - It's no secret that even with the latest layoff announcements from high-tech and Internet start-up companies, skilled labor and high-tech talent remain in high demand. So how do you attract top employees and keep the ones you've got? One approach is to offer employer-assisted housing -- EAH -- to help workers get that first home. Under such programs, the employer provides a grant, forgivable loan, matched savings plan or other benefit. The general idea is that such inducements reward employees who stay with the firm. Fannie Mae, as one example, has a program for its own employees by offering a forgivable loan. Since its inception about 10 years ago, more than 1,300 employees have used the program. Eligible employees must work 91 days for Fannie Mae and remain at the company an additional five years to have EAH loans fully forgiven. H. Beth Marcus, director of Fannie Mae's Community-Based Lending effort, says when the program started about 6 percent of eligible employees took advantage of the program each year, but that number has edged up to about 8 percent each year. She says the program has helped tremendously in the company's ability to retain good employees. Read this Nemmar Real Estate Training article at Mortgage Loans, Finance, Economy, Appraisal