Efforts are being made to Improve Housing in Watauga County

Community momentum has led to movement in the fight for fair housing solutions in Watauga County since the start of the Watauga Housing Forum.

The Forum started with four free community-wide sessions held on safety, accessibility, affordability, and solutions. According to the North Carolina Housing Coalition’s 2023 Housing Needs Assessment, 64% of renters and 21% of homeowners have difficulty affording their homes in Watauga County. The final forum session was a brainstorming session, which included information about existing housing solutions underway in North Carolina and around the country. The Watauga Housing Council was formed following the last forum to continue the effort to solve housing issues in Watauga. The council’s vision is to see all people in Watauga County have secure and stable housing through partnerships and systemic change.