Watauga Housing Council Pursues New Initiatives

The Watauga Housing Council was formed in June 2022, following a four-part community housing forum that drew between 120 and 200 residents to each session to discuss the area's housing crisis. The council operates with a mission to increase the housing supply for cost-burdened residents through strategic partnerships and systemic change. It is structured with several committees, including Housing Solutions and Government Relations, to pursue its objectives. A key partnership for the council is with the Watauga Community Housing Trust (WCHT), a non-profit that works to create permanently affordable housing. Together, they are working on a "First Home Fund" project to purchase and renovate a home in the historic Junaluska community. This initiative aims to sell the house to a community member while the Trust retains ownership of the land to ensure its long-term affordability. The Town of Boone and the Watauga Economic Development Commission have both pledged financial support for the Junaluska project. The Boone Town Council unanimously voted to grant $10,000 to the Watauga Community Housing Trust for this initiative. Additionally, the Watauga Economic Development Commission has committed $10,000 toward the purchase of the home. The council also actively advocates for policy changes to encourage the development of more affordable housing. This includes testifying in support of rezoning efforts that would allow for the creation of affordable housing complexes for older adults and recovery housing. The Boone Town Council has also taken steps to address the issue by allocating $220,000 for affordable housing and amending ordinances related to short-term rentals to prevent the loss of residential housing stock.