JMU OECD and CSPDC Convene Stakeholders for a Regional Housing Study Discussion

On April 29, James Madison University’s Office of Economic and Community Development (OECD) partnered with the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission (CSPDC) to host a Regional Housing Study Discussion at the JMU Collabratory in the Harrisonburg Innovation Hub. The event brought together more than 20 stakeholders including local government officials, housing advocates, nonprofit providers and community members for a focused discussion on housing challenges and strategies in the Shenandoah Valley.

Facilitated by George Neighbors of X-Roads Advisory, the session aimed to deepen understanding of the CSPDC Regional Housing Study findings and foster collaborative thinking around practical, community-based solutions. Participants were encouraged to engage with the data and apply proposed strategies to their own communities, ultimately empowering them to become active contributors to regional housing solutions.

Jeremy Crute of the CSPDC provided an overview of the Regional Housing Study, which was developed with funding from Virginia Housing’s Community Impact Grant program. The study involved collaboration with consultants from the Virginia Center for Housing Research at Virginia Tech and HousingForward Virginia. The study provides a comprehensive examination of housing accessibility, affordability, and diversity across the region, with the goal of equipping local leaders with the tools and insights necessary for data-driven, sustainable decision-making.

Attendees participated in breakout sessions to discuss case studies aligned with the study's key themes. Guided by prompts such as “How might these solutions look in practice in your community?” and “Where do you see a role for you in these solutions?”, the small groups explored how to translate research into action within their own communities.

Several important takeaways emerged from the discussions:

• Regional coordination of resources/actions and intergovernmental collaboration are critical for addressing housing needs effectively.
• Housing is not a zero-sum issue, solutions can benefit a broad spectrum of residents.
• There is a strong need for inclusive, ongoing dialogue among all stakeholders involved in the housing sphere.
• Decision makers need data but public hearts and mind are won with storytelling.
• Everyone needs ‘affordable’ housing, ideally no more than 30% of any household’s income, regardless of total earnings.

The housing session provided the opportunity for diverse stakeholders to come together and share insights from a variety of perspectives, laying the groundwork for continued collaboration and problem-solving in the Shenandoah Valley housing space.

To learn more about the JMU Office of Economic & Community Development, visit jmu.edu/economicdevelopment