Fahe 2025 Spring Retreat Recap 

The Fahe Spring Retreat is an annual gathering of Member leaders from across Appalachia. In mid-April, executive directors and CEOs from over 50 nonprofit organizations convened in Berea, KY to strategize and collaborate on advancing housing solutions for the region. See the Facebook Photo Album! Photos by Ben Keeling.

Fahe Members are united in tackling a major challenge: by 2030, they’ve pledged to build or rehabilitate 60,000 homes and provide community services that will impact 1 million people across Appalachia. The Spring Retreat provided a vital touchpoint for aligning around this shared mission. Highlights from this event will be further showcased at Fahe’s Annual Meeting in Kingsport, TN in September. 

Day 1 Highlights 

Welcome & Opening Remarks 

Fahe’s Senior Vice President (VP) of Membership, Vonda Poynter, welcomed attendees and proudly announced 100% Member participation—every Fahe Member organization was represented. 

Four Corners Working Groups 

“The Four Corner Working Groups—developed from Fahe’s Strategic Plan—have been working since January, and each group has made solid progress,” said Vonda Poynter. 

Updates were shared by representatives of each group: 

• Emily Chase (Kingsport Housing & Redevelopment Authority) – Money Working Group 

• Maria Catron (Oak Ridge Housing Authority) – Capacity Working Group 

• Chris Mullett (Garrett County CAC) – Narrative Working Group 

• Kip Parks (Eastern Eight CDC) – People Working Group 

Federal Advocacy Update 

Joshua Stewart, Fahe’s Director of Federal Policy & Advocacy, provided a candid and dynamic overview of the federal landscape. 

“Washington is buzzing with policy ideas right now, both good and bad,” Stewart said. “The most powerful thing Members can do is strengthen relationships with their elected officials and highlight the local impact of national decisions. The housing crisis has real solutions—our Members are living proof.” 

Framework for Action: Introducing Housing Can’t Wait 

CEO Jim King introduced Fahe’s bold new initiative—the Housing Can’t Wait Campaign: 

“We know the need is urgent. Appalachia faces entrenched poverty, economic instability, and a national housing production shortfall. Yet we persist—and thrive—by doing what we do best: building solutions that last.” 

He reminded Members that since Fahe’s founding in April 1980, we’ve: 

• Invested over $5 billion into the region, 

• Served more than 1 million households, and 

• Demonstrated that collaborative solutions can break cycles of poverty. 

Lina Page, Fahe’s Chief Communications Officer, outlined the new five-year campaign hosted at HousingCantWait.org: 

“This is a Member-led effort grounded in three pillars: 

• Visibility – Reaching broader audiences, 

• Education – Sharing stories and data, and 

• Fundraising – Bringing in new investment and support. 

I’m thrilled about the potential of this campaign to elevate our collective voice.” 

Meeting the Housing Challenge: Data for Action 

Katy Stigers, VP of Research, shared early findings from Fahe’s aggregate housing challenge data. 

“Data should spark questions. Look for trends and patterns—they help inform your work and guide us collectively. To reach our 2030 goals, we must understand what factors truly drive impact.” 

Maggie Riden, Senior VP of Advocacy, added,  

“Taking time together like this is powerful. As we get better at using data and pairing it with the deep expertise of our Members, we’re building the foundation needed to meet this challenge and strengthen our communities. We’re lucky to have such incredible thought partners. “ 

New Tools for Members 

Kevin Flora, Digital Marketing Manager, demoed two key web tools: 

• Updated Member Portal Fahemembers.com 
  New features include: a streamlined interface, regional events calendar, and training resources. 

• Housing Can’t Wait Website – www.housingcantwait.org 
  Built on input from the Narrative Working Group, Member surveys, and network conversations. It features expert interviews, disaster recovery updates, and ways for the public to advocate, invest, or donate. 

Day 2 Highlights 

Leadership Collaborative Workshop 

The Spark Mill consultants facilitated a dynamic workshop exploring how Members could collaborate to build capacity and shift narratives across key sectors—such as: 

• Homeownership & Financial Counseling 

• Single Family Construction 

• Home Repair & Weatherization 

• Multi-Family Development 

• Rental Management 

Participants shared practical insights and challenges: 

“We need to make trades more attractive to youth.”  
“Let’s lean into risk: what’s too risky, and what’s worth it?”  
“How do we bring together the ‘have dones’ with the ‘want tos’?”  
“Corporate philanthropy—big players like Lowe’s and Home Depot—could help.”  
“We must partner with landlords and local governments alike.”  

The session aimed to frame a path forward—identifying partnerships and resources to scale solutions across the network. 

Closing Remarks 

President Sara Morgan reminded attendees to: 

• Continue building out the Housing Can’t Wait campaign by submitting Member stories, 

• Look out for new loan products funded by the MacKenzie Scott gift, and 

• Stay engaged in advocacy at every level. 

CEO Jim King closed the retreat with this call to action: 

“We’re not just a gritty group—we’re experts. Nationally recognized. When others ask ‘Can it be done?’—we’ve already started. 

This work isn’t something we do by default. We do it because we know how to get it done.” 

Thank You to Our Sponsors 

McBrayer, Central Bank, and other support from Wells Fargo.