Regional housing summit to focus on affordability, supply

LEAVENWORTH — On June 11, Our Valley Our Future (OVOF) will host a Regional Housing Summit in Leavenworth, exploring housing at a regional scale and highlighting the practical, local solutions to increasing supply and affordability.

“Our Valley Our Future looks forward to celebrating the progress we’ve made as a region,” said OVOF executive director Rachel Evey. “We also acknowledge that we still have a ways to go. The Summit is an opportunity for the housing industry and community members to connect, learn, and build momentum together.”

From innovative construction methods to workforce development and equitable access to homeownership, the organization says the summit is designed to inform, connect, and inspire action.

The summit will look at the “Housing Big Picture,” presented by Clay White of engineering, planning, and design consulting firm Kimley-Horn. It will also explore progress through a panel featuring Thom Nees of Common Ground Housing Trust, Charlie Hitchcock of the Office of Rural & Farmworker Housing, Michelle Fanton of Habitat for Humanity Lake Chelan and Sasha Sleiman from the Housing Authority of Chelan County & the City of Wenatchee.

Peter Jesling from Wenatchee Valley Tech Center Construction Trades, Nelson Delgado of Self-Help Credit Union and Josh Schaaf of Craft Contracting & Consulting will lead a discussion on imagining the future of housing. Marty Kooistra, of Civic-Commons and Starter Home Production Plan, will talk about keeping the momentum.

The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required: givebutter.com/Housing2026. The summit will provide Spanish interpretation and include a healthy and nutritious lunch by Szamania’s Catering (Archive Bistro). It will be held at the Leavenworth Festhalle from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 11.

The Regional Housing Summit is planned by the Chelan Douglas Regional Housing Solutions Group, a part of OVOF’s game changer initiative in the 2022-26 Action Plan. The group identifies issues and solutions to increase adequate housing supply that meets the needs of residents throughout the region. The group is made up of 40 organizations from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, according to OVOF. The summit is sponsored by Gold Sponsors Thriving Together NCW and Peoples Bank.