Diane GreeneDiane Greene

Director of Director of Community OutreachCommunity Outreach

North Carolina Workforce North Carolina Workforce Housing ProgramHousing Program

Develop and implement a Develop and implement a comprehensive Workforce Housing comprehensive Workforce Housing Program that educates REALTORSProgram that educates REALTORS®®

and the public so that they can and the public so that they can better utilize existing programs to better utilize existing programs to

increase homeownership.increase homeownership.

Program GoalsProgram Goals

Critical workers -- teachers, police, Critical workers -- teachers, police, and government employees – and government employees –

can’t afford to live in the communities can’t afford to live in the communities they serve.they serve.

Especially resort areas!Especially resort areas!

The Need is GreatThe Need is Great

Example: AshevilleExample: AshevilleMedian home cost = $180,000Median home cost = $180,000

Salary needed = $53,731Salary needed = $53,731

Average salaries:Average salaries:Police officer = $45,802Police officer = $45,802

Licensed practical nurse = $36,439Licensed practical nurse = $36,439Elementary teacher = $46,351Elementary teacher = $46,351

The Need is GreatThe Need is Great

Workforce Housing Workforce Housing ProgramProgram

• Educate REALTORSEducate REALTORS®® on affordable on affordable housing programs that will help them housing programs that will help them serve the workforce housing market serve the workforce housing market

• Help REALTORSHelp REALTORS ® ® connect with connect with consumers consumers

Workforce Housing Workforce Housing ProgramProgram

• Give the public a centralGive the public a central clearinghouse for information in an clearinghouse for information in an easy-to-use format easy-to-use format

• Bring more awareness to effectiveBring more awareness to effective programs and resources programs and resources

Workforce Housing Workforce Housing ProgramProgram

• Dispel myths Dispel myths

• Change perceptionsChange perceptions

• Educates REALTORSEducates REALTORS®® on all aspects of on all aspects of working with Workforce Housing clients working with Workforce Housing clients

• Allows participants to advertise theirAllows participants to advertise their “Specialist” status in marketing tools “Specialist” status in marketing tools

• Provides networking opportunities throughProvides networking opportunities through housing fairs and education programs housing fairs and education programs

WHS RequirementsWHS Requirements

• 16 classroom hours16 classroom hours

• 3 core classes: local, state and federal3 core classes: local, state and federal programs programs • Variety of electives Variety of electives

- short sales- short sales- foreclosure prevention- foreclosure prevention- sustainable building- sustainable building- employer assisted housing- employer assisted housing

Program GoalsProgram Goals

• Graduate 50 members by mid 2010Graduate 50 members by mid 2010

• Plan local outreach programsPlan local outreach programs

• Increase knowledge, expertise andIncrease knowledge, expertise and market opportunities market opportunities

• Strengthen our market and community Strengthen our market and community

WHS OutcomesWHS Outcomes

• Graduated 76 members as of June 1Graduated 76 members as of June 1

• Held two housing fairs, one plannedHeld two housing fairs, one planned June 22June 22

• Lot’s of interest in program – fall classesLot’s of interest in program – fall classes filling upfilling up

Public Awareness & Public Awareness & EducationEducation

Redesigned Redesigned website where website where users can users can search for search for housing housing programs and programs and Workforce Workforce Housing Housing SpecialistsSpecialists

Public Awareness & Public Awareness & EducationEducation

Launched PR campaign to change Launched PR campaign to change perceptions about who needs affordable perceptions about who needs affordable

housing and to introduce resourceshousing and to introduce resources

Public Awareness & Public Awareness & Education OutcomesEducation Outcomes

PR campaign PR campaign launch launch

covered by 3 covered by 3 TV stations, TV stations,

2 radio 2 radio stations and stations and

several several newspapersnewspapers

What’s NextWhat’s Next

• Fall classes, outreach events and PR inFall classes, outreach events and PR in pilot markets pilot markets

• Expand to additional marketsExpand to additional markets

• Expand scope to include directExpand scope to include direct assistance assistance

Main ChallengesMain Challenges

• Not expanding too fast for resourcesNot expanding too fast for resources

• Operating by committeeOperating by committee

• Sustaining the programSustaining the program

Main SuccessesMain Successes

• Lot’s of member interestLot’s of member interest

• Lot’s of community interestLot’s of community interest

• Building strong partnershipsBuilding strong partnerships

• Enhancement of REALTOR imageEnhancement of REALTOR image

For More InformationFor More Information

Contact Diane GreeneContact Diane Greene336-808-4234336-808-4234

dgreene@ncrealtors.orgdgreene@ncrealtors.org

Visit our Website Visit our Website www.homes4nc.orgwww.homes4nc.org