Watauga Housing Forum Series; Building a resilient and thriving community for all March 14, March 28, April 11, April 25
Recognizing growing concerns about housing in Watauga County, a diverse group of community members and key agencies are hosting a series of four sessions to discuss the safety, accessibility and affordability of housing in Watauga.
Each session will feature community members sharing their personal housing experiences, review key local housing data among participants, and engage the community in brainstorming, discussion and planning action steps. .
In order to provide ample time to explore and discuss each specific housing issue, forum sessions will be held every two weeks, starting at 5:30 p.m., for all members of the community to participate. The Watauga Housing Forum will take place on the second and fourth Mondays of March and April with a different focus each session. The schedule is as follows: March 14, Housing Security; March 28 Housing accessibility; April 11, Housing Affordability and April 25, Potential Solutions.
“The conversation around housing issues has been going on for decades in Watauga County, and its impacts can be felt across the vast majority of our socio-economic landscape,” says chamber president and CEO David Jackson. of Commerce in the Boone area. “Put simply, it should be easier to live and thrive in this community.
Jackson continues, “Many leaders have worked on this over time with the best of intentions, only to find the hurdles too difficult to overcome. What excites me most about the current situation is that this conversation is not being led by any one group, but rather by a collaboration of families, students, opinion leaders, representatives of the government and concerned citizens. Kellie Reed Ashcraft did an amazing job of bringing together a few dozen groups that were all trying to tackle the same problem.
The collaboration includes AppHealthCare, Q’Pasa Appalachia, Hospitality House of Northwest NC, Boone Area Chamber of Commerce, Watauga County Schools, Western Youth Network, Appalachian Regional Healthcare System, Boone Fair Housing Task Force, Hunger and Health Coalition, The Children’s Playhouse, Watauga County Parks and Recreation, Mediation and Restorative Justice Center, WAMY, WCCI – Watauga Compassionate Community Initiative, Watauga Habitat for Humanity and The Children’s Council.
“I have been a community member and community practice social worker for twenty-three years and have had the privilege of working with many diverse organizations and employees over the years on different issues,” says the facilitator of the Kellie Reed Ashcraft series. “I have always been proud of the collaborative nature of our community. Even so, I have never been more excited than I am now by the power of so many factions coming together to make a real difference when it comes to the “thorny issue” of housing. »
“Safe, healthy and affordable housing is essential for a high-quality community to thrive,” adds Watauga County Schools Superintendent Dr. Scott Elliott. “This Forum brings together all the different perspectives essential to understanding our needs and finding creative and sustainable solutions.”
Anyone concerned or curious about housing is encouraged to attend in person or virtually. The sessions will take place at the Watauga Community Recreation Center and will be streamed live via Zoom for virtual attendees.
There is no charge to attend; however, in order to prepare an adequate space both in person and virtually, registration is required. Registration is now open at wataugahousingforum.org
and individual registrations are required for each of the four unique sessions.
For those who attend in person, a dinner in a light box from the FARM Café will be offered. Additionally, concessions will be open at the recreation center with snacks, candy and soda available for purchase. In-person attendees will be required to present proof of their up-to-date vaccination status, including booster, and must wear a provided KN95 mask at all times when not eating or drinking. Anyone uncomfortable attending in person is strongly encouraged to register and attend virtually.
For local businesses and organizations that want to get involved, sponsorship opportunities exist to help defray the cost of the dinners. Referrals are 100% tax deductible and can be made at wataugahousingforum.org or by texting WHF at (828) 332-5488. For more information on sponsorship opportunities, please email Todd Carter, Chief Development Officer of Hospitality House of Northwest NC, at [email protected]
Reed Ashcraft adds, “We have incredible community assets, deep relationships and the long-term commitment of many here in the community to creating transformative and lasting housing-related change for all of our residents – it will truly lead to a more resilient , vibrant and thriving community!
For any inquiries or additional information, please email Kellie Reed Ashcraft at [email protected]g
