Vital Condition
Humane Housing
Humane Housing as a Vital Condition and a Foundation for Thriving
Housing is the foundation of dignity, stability, and opportunity – where families grow, children learn, and communities flourish. Humane Housing efforts bring together neighbors, organizations, and leaders to create multi-sector solutions that make safe, affordable, and connected housing possible for everyone. By aligning people, data, and resources, we work to close the wealth gap and build sustainable neighborhoods where housing is humane, equitable, and thriving for all.
Forsyth County faces a 25,000-unit housing deficit by 2029, and nearly half of renters spend 30% or more of their income on housing. The numbers show the urgency, but they also point the way toward solutions.
Networks
Forsyth County Humane Housing Network
Forsyth County Humane Housing Network (FCHHN)
The Forsyth County Humane Housing Network (FCHHN) is connecting residents, organizations, and community leaders to clearly identify the realities of our housing crisis through the experiences of neighbors, the housing data, a map of current services, and an analysis of prior housing reports toward a comprehensive plan that will address our 25,000 unit housing deficit. In the coming months, upon completion of the plan, the network will prioritize strategies and develop a structure to implement the plan and ensure that all of Forsyth County has access to stable, affordable, and humane housing.
To strengthen the humane housing ecosystem, we advance five interconnected strategies:
1. Mapping analyzing housing reports and assets across the county
2. Multisolving connecting partners across sectors to influence outcomes together
3. Network Building fostering collaboration through convenings, shared communications, and collective action
4. Alignment supporting a county-wide housing plan
5. Advocacy advancing public policy and community education that promote humane, equitable housing for all.
Early work groups have identified promising opportunities, including:
- Property tax and insurance relief
- Legal support for eviction prevention, landlord mediation, and heirs property
- Home repair and maintenance programs
- Community education and advocacy
- Strengthening existing and future housing funds
FCHHN builds on and connects existing housing efforts across Forsyth County, from sheltering our unhoused population through the WS/FC Continuum of Care to prevention and stability initiatives like the Forsyth IAF Homelessness Prevention & Rehousing Group, the WSF Housing Fund, and Moving Families Forward (Partnership for Prosperity). These are just a few of the many partnerships underway, and we know not everyone is at the table – we invite you to join us by sharing your work, ideas, and voice.
Learn More & Get Involved
FCHHN Publications
Read the FCHHN Affordable Housing Action Planning Framework
Read the Forsyth County Affordable and Workforce Housing Study
Review latest Full Network Meeting Slides
FCHHN 2025 Housing Series
Session 1: Understanding the Current Landscape for the Future
Passcode: f1Yy&dd2
Session 2: Insights & Innovations
Passcode: gi2wJ.q4
The Winston-Salem Foundation
Learn more and apply to WSF’s Housing Grant
Receive updates on the Forsyth County Humane Housing Network, upcoming convening dates, and ways to contribute.
housing@thrivingtogetherforsyth.org
Planning Committee
Multi-sector and community members are contributing diverse perspectives and know-how to moving the FCHHN work forward.
Michael Blair
Housing Director
City of Winston-Salem
Vivian Pérez Chandler
Executive Director
Asset Building Coalition of Forsyth County
David Docusen
Chair, The Neighborliness Center
President, International Ministry Network
Kellie Easton
Co-CEO, Action4Equity
Thriving Together Backbone Partner
Rev. Paul Robeson Ford
Consultant for Policy Coordination & Communication; Special Projects, Action4Equity
Shereka Floyd
Housing Programs Manager
City of Winston-Salem
Charlie Gardner
Program Director, Impact Investing
Winston-Salem Foundation
Adam Hill
Executive Director, Forsyth Futures
Thriving Together Backbone Partner
Ashley Kazouh
VP of Policy and Strategy
Action4Equity
Andrea Kurtz
President, ASK Impact Strategies
Cornelious “CC” Lamberth
President & CEO
C2 Contractors, LLC
Paula McCoy
Director, Partnership for Prosperity
Cat Mizzi-Orrell
Communications Director, Forsyth Futures
Communications Lead, Thriving Together
Esharan Monroe-Johnson
Facilitator, Northington & Associates
Thriving Together
Katheryn Northington
Facilitator, Northington & Associates
Thriving Together
Kenneth Reid
Co-CEO, Action4Equity
Thriving Together Backbone Partner
Noor Shehata
Project Coordinator, Strategy and Implementation, Northington & Associates; Thriving Together
Stephen Sills
Housing Consultant
Innovative Research Insights
Chuck Spong
Executive Director, Love Out Loud
Thriving Together Backbone Partner
Elaine Summerfield
Vice President, Community Impact
Winston-Salem Foundation
FAQs
What is the focus of the Forsyth County Humane Housing Network (FCHHN)?
We’re developing a community housing plan informed by asset mapping and community input, while also advancing short-term strategies that can make an immediate difference.
What are some of the short-term strategies?
We’re prioritizing prevention—helping people stay in their homes is more effective and humane than crisis rehousing.
How is this network different?
In a time of limited resources, collaboration and innovation are essential. Our shared commitment to long-term, humane housing goes beyond short-term fixes—we’re working toward generational stability and wealth.
How does the network make decisions?
Our collective norms are emerging as we grow, guided by our shared values, commitment to equity, and belief that everyone deserves a home that sustains their wellbeing.