COMMUNITY HOUSING AGENCY SCHEDULES WORKSHOP
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Can available affordable housing keep pace with the economic growth in Monongalia County?
Seeking that answer, Community Housing Action Partnership (CHAP) will host Morgantown Housing Development and Finance Workshop at the Ramada Inn from 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Wednesday for housing professionals and others in the community who are interested in increasing housing opportunity for local residents.
“Morgantown and the surrounding areas of Monongalia County are experiencing dramatic growth in population and economic development. These factors bring to the forefront the critical issue of housing. The question is how can we facilitate housing stock and affordability to keep pace with Monongalia County’s economic growth,” organizers said.
Questions surrounding housing in Monongalia County include:
- What financial options are available for housing developers?
- Will housing development meet the needs of WVU faculty and staff, Monongalia County Board of Education employees, county and local government employees and growing and/or new businesses and their employees for affordable housing?
- What can be done to ensure that housing complies with building codes, regulations and laws that make housing safe and accessible for all residents now and in the future?
This workshop will explore the role housing plays in economic development initiatives, and basic housing questions for housing stakeholders. A panel of professionals will discuss local housing issues and compare the Morgantown area to similar communities.
Following the panel, workshop participants will break into workgroups to explore housing issues and questions in greater depth. Workgroups will focus on one of three topics: available property, financial resources and technical assistance. These workgroups will help identify and develop action steps for the creation of an initial housing project to be initiated within one year.
Developers, contractors, homebuilders, architects, realtors, public officials, code enforcement agents and other interested individuals are invited to attend this workshop. Businesses and organizations are encouraged to send multiple individuals if more than one workgroup is of interest.
There is no cost to attend but participants need to register and select a workgroup in which they wish to participate. Lunch, breaks and support materials will be provided.
CHAP is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization created by community stakeholders to serve as a catalyst for developing affordable, accessible and attainable housing in Morgantown and Monongalia County.
This workshop is co-sponsored by the Morgantown Chamber of Commerce and the Community Living Initiatives Corporation. Funding for this workshop is provided by the City of Morgantown through a HUD Community Development Block Grant.
To register for the workshop or for more information, please visit the CHAP website at www.chapwv.org or contact the organization at 304-292-0186.
