Our Beginnings

​

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.​ 

​

Collective Impact

​

“Collective Impact” is at the core of the WHC in addressing the wicked problem of attainable housing.  Collective impact is defined as “...a network of community members, organizations, and institutions who advance equity by learning together, aligning, and integrating their actions to achieve population & systems level change” (https://collectiveimpactforum.org/what-is-collective-impact/, para. 2).    

​

The WHC exemplifies the five conditions:  

1. we have a common agenda;

2. we use common data & shared measurements with partners;

3. we coordinate and celebrate mutually reinforcing activities with our stakeholders;

4. we continuously communicate within the WHC & externally with groups, partners, & stakeholders;

5. and we have a strong backbone with the establishment of our 501c3 nonprofit.
   ​

Results-Based Accountability Framework

​​

The Watauga Housing Council used the 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. 

​​

Strategic Priorities

​

Watauga Housing Council fulfills its mission through the following priorities:

​

​Strategic Priority 1: Organizational Development;

​​

Strategic Priority 2: Partnerships & Collective Impact;

​​

Strategic Priority 3: Communications, Engagement & Education; &

​​

Strategic Priority 4: Policy, Advocacy & Systems Change. 

 

Three branches 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.  Branches meet between quarterly WHC meetings.  All are welcome. For more information, contact kellie@wataugahousing.org.