Casinos and other employers can take advantage of tax credits and federal funding to ease the Coast's housing shortage, and offer their workers the incentive to become homeowners.  There is a shortage of work-force housing that will not correct itself due to escalating costs.  Businesses can use employee assistance programs as a way to encourage homeownership and employee retention.  Mechanisms are available that allow employers to take advantage of tax credits and federal funding to make homes available for their employees.  Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding has chosen an innovative solution to this problem.  They are working with the Gulf Coast Renaissance Corporation to assist employees with housing.   Northrup Grumman will hire 7,200 workers over the next two years and perceive housing and insurance as big issues.  Northrup Grumman is offering the incentive to its employees of a $7,500 loans for down payments on homes, with the entire amount forgiven over five years.  The company teamed up with Gulf Coast Renaissance Corporation for the program, REACH.  The program is being offered to employers in all three Coast counties.  Also, some businesses can take advantage of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development housing vouchers for employees.  These programs can be structured so that housing vouchers go towards mortgage payments rather than rent.