The Watauga Housing Council (WHC) is “Collective Impact”!

What is “Collective Impact?”  Collective Impact is the idea that every major social issue, including the lack of housing for cost-burdened community members, requires multiple stakeholders & strategies to solve the issue–no one organization & no one strategy will solve the problem!

The Watauga Housing Council (WHC) was formed following the community-wide Watauga Housing Forum in the spring, 2022, embracing the need for collective impact to address this issue.  ALL community members were invited to form a council at the end of the Forum to prioritize the community’s priorities & pursue achievable action steps–we have been busy since 2022!

Collective Impact has 5 Conditions–Here are the 5 Conditions & How the WHC Embodies These Conditions:

1. Common Agenda:  All of the volunteer community members & stakeholders identified a common WHC vision:  “All people in Watauga County have secure and stable housing,” & a common mission statement:  “to increase the housing supply for Watauga community residents who are cost-burdened through partnerships and systemic change.”;

2. Shared Measurement System:  The High Country Housing Partners, facilitated by the WHC, is beginning discussions to develop a Housing Data Dashboard to track progress on key housing goals for Watauga and the High Country region; 

3. Mutually Reinforcing Activities:  The WHC reinforces & supports related actions by other groups.  This is why the WHC testified in support of rezoning changes to develop an affordable housing complex for older adults & similar efforts in support of rezoning to allow for male & female recovery housing;

4. Continuous Communications:  All of the volunteer WHC Committee Co-Facilitators are members of the WHC Board of Directors, providing communications & driving decision-making.  Further, all volunteer WHC leaders & members are participants in other housing-related & other community  groups, thus providing ongoing communications & facilitating trust through membership & action.

5. Strong Backbone: Every Collective Impact has dedicated staff to sustain the effort over time.  A year ago, the WHC voted to become a non-profit agency & Kellie Reed Ashcraft was the first staff member appointed as the Executive Director.  The WHC is embarking on plans to sustain the E.D. 's position & other staff positions in order to continue and expand the work of the Council.