15 YEARS OF COMMUNITY BUILDING 18 IMPACTS IMPACTS: Public and private agencies and businesses continue to rely on the study to document the region’s affordable housing crisis. “We can take that data and run with it—all the right people are at the table,” explained one banking official. Public policy changes catalyzed by this study were new zoning ordinances with protections for mobile home park residents, which include the notification to residents when their mobile home park is for sale and the opportunity to purchase and manage their parks by themselves or in conjunction with a nonprofit organization. The City of College Place was the first and the City of Walla Walla was the third city in Washington State to adopt these protections. Statewide publicity around this work helped promote existing legislation that advocates worked on in other municipalities and at the state level, which led to the adoption of similar ordinances elsewhere and legislation by the Washington State Legislature in SB 5198 in 2023. Development of an infographic, “Our Region’s Affordable Housing Crisis,” which presents data in engaging graphic design, increases awareness on housing issues in our region and continues to be widely used. Creation of Common Roots Housing Trust, our region’s first community land trust, a community-based organization that will own land and develop housing to create permanently affordable homes. Creation, revision, and distribution during the pandemic of the “COVID-19 Housing and Utility Relief Information Sheet” that was published in English and Spanish, which provided information about legal protections for homeowners and renters, and relief programs provided by Oregon and Washington States, and the federal government. IMPACTS: Creation of a regional coalition, “Elevate,” a “cradle to career” regional partnership working to eliminate barriers to student success and building better alignments across the educational continuum. Elevate is led by United Way of the Blue Mountains. The study recommended the creation and support of an entrepreneurial ecosystem that includes access to resources and fosters a culture of innovation. As part of that effort, 35 business leaders, representatives from government and higher education, and entrepreneurs met to inventory existing supports and identify needs. Creation of BE Walla Walla, an online portal for businesses and entrepreneurs in the region. The portal is a clearinghouse for resources, community contacts, events, and articles. One person observed that the portal “would not have been developed except for Community Council.” The online portal was built and is maintained by Ingeniux. Affordable Housing 2018 – 2023 TOPIC: “How can we meet the need for safe and affordable housing in our region?” Education as a Path to Economic Growth 2015 – 2019 TOPIC: “How can we strategically invest in education as a way to drive economic growth?” Study Committee Report Chair: Meagan Anderson Pira Implementation Task Force Report Co-chairs: Gustavo Reyna (July 2019 - January 2022) Laura Prado (January 2022 – October 2022) Erendira Cruz (October 2022 - March 2023) Study Committee Report Chair: Jan Foster Implementation Task Force Report Chair: Andrea Weckmueller-Behringer
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjI2MTU5NA==