Overview:

Residents of rural Appalachia facing substance use disorder (SUD) often encounter significant challenges, including limited access to affordable housing, employment, and essential resources. These difficulties are compounded by climate-related disasters that disproportionately affect rural communities. This one-day workshop seeks to bring together a diverse group of stakeholders to explore innovative solutions for supporting individuals in recovery from SUD through the development of community-centric, sustainable and resilient housing solutions.

Purpose:

This workshop will foster interdisciplinary partnerships between community organizations, individuals with lived experience, academic experts, and stakeholders interested in exploring innovative designs for recovery housing in West Virginia. By building a shared understanding of the needs and opportunities within the SUD recovery ecosystem, we aim to develop innovative, community-centric transitional housing solutions that integrate community engagement, sustainable development practices, and climate and disaster resilience solutions that not only meet recovery needs but are adaptable to the region’s environmental challenges. The workshop will seek to identify potential funding opportunities to support future collaboration and the expansion of recovery housing solutions in the state and in the rural Appalachian region.

Why You Should Attend:

• Understand Local Barriers and Needs: Develop a comprehensive understanding of the unique challenges West Virginia’s rural communities face in supporting SUD recovery, including housing access, economic instability, and climate vulnerabilities.
• Collaborative Development of Recovery Housing Solutions: Explore housing solutions that are healthy, culturally appropriate, and economically viable, while integrating principles of sustainability and climate resilience, identifying areas for further collaboration and consideration of future funding
• Explore Climate Resilience in Housing: Examine how recovery housing can incorporate climate-adaptive technologies and disaster-resilient designs to ensure long-term durability and safety, addressing the region’s environmental
• Foster Collaboration: Strengthen partnerships between nonprofits, academic institutions, and local stakeholders to promote a shared vision of recovery housing that is responsive to both local economic and environmental

Anticipated outcomes:

• Exploring Innovative, Collaborative Housing Solutions: Actionable housing solutions that integrate local materials, sustainable practices, and climate resilience to support long-term Identified strategies and recommendations for addressing both recovery housing and climate-related challenges, with a focus on sustainability and local economic development.
• Stronger Community Partnerships: Established collaboration among local organizations, community members, and academic partners to address the interconnected challenges of housing, recovery, and climate resilience in rural Appalachia.
• Future Funding Pathways: Identification of potential funding opportunities and strategies for securing resources to continue the development of recovery housing solutions in the region.

Register

Registration is free and includes admission to roundtable conversations, listening sessions, meals, coffee and snacks, and workshop participation.