In March and April of 2022, a community-wide Watauga Housing Forum was held. These four sessions spanned eight weeks and included topics on safety, accessibility, affordability, and potential solutions. During the sessions, community members shared stories, local housing data was examined, panelists spoke, and facilitators conducted roundtable discussions. Roughly 120-200 community members were present at each session. 

 

Following the sessions, the Watauga Housing Council (WHC) was organized in June of 2022.​ 

 

The Watauga Housing Council used a Results-Based Accountability (RBA) Framework to identify community action steps, priorities, and vision.  WHC's vision is that all people in Watauga County have secure and stable housing. WHC's mission is to increase housing supply for Watauga community residents who are cost-burdened through partnerships and systemic change. 

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Watauga Housing Council fulfills its mission through the following strategic objectives:

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1. Investigate, recommend and pursue new housing opportunities and solutions with stakeholders & evaluate desired outcomes

2. Analyze funding and policy options to inform government and other stakeholders and determine a course of action

3. Engage target communities to integrate emerging data

4. Develop and maintain backbone support for long-term collective impact effort on housing

 

Three committees were formed to conduct work: Community Engagement, Housing Solutions, and Government Relations. The Watauga Housing Council meets approximately quarterly, on the first Tuesday of each quarter, from 3:30-5 pm.  Committees meet between quarterly WHC meetings.  All are welcome. For more information, contact kellie@wataugahousing.org.