In this episode, Janet sits down with Kim Herbstritt of Blue Ridge Habitat for Humanity to discuss the 8th Annual Northern Shenandoah Valley Housing Summit. The conversation covers the deep and often overlooked connection between housing conditions and community health, what to expect at this year's free summit, and how Blue Ridge Habitat's home repair program is helping seniors and veterans stay safely in their homes.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

What the Housing Coalition of the Northern Shenandoah Valley is and why it was founded
Why this year's summit theme is Housing is Health
How poor housing conditions — mold, leaky roofs, inaccessible entryways — directly impact physical and mental health
Why essential workers and workforce families are being priced out of the communities they serve
What zoning has to do with the housing shortage — and what Virginia is doing about it
How Blue Ridge Habitat's home repair program serves seniors, veterans, and disabled homeowners
Details on TWO free housing summits happening in May and June

Key Takeaways

Housing affects every sector of a community — health, education, workforce, and economic development are all tied to where people live.
Families spending 40–50% of their income on housing have little cushion for emergencies, health care, or transportation costs.
Habitat for Humanity's home repair waitlist continues to grow, with most requests coming from seniors on fixed incomes.
Virginia has completed a statewide zoning atlas — a potentially powerful tool for policymakers and planning commissioners.
Long commutes driven by a lack of local affordable housing contribute to stress, poor nutrition, and diminished mental health.

Events Mentioned in This Episode

8th Annual NSV Housing Summit

📅 Friday, May 29th
⏰ 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM
📍 Laurel Ridge Community College, Carome Community Development Center
💰 Free — registration required
🌐 https://www.housingnsv.org/

Shenandoah County Housing Summit

📅 Friday, June 5th
📍 Edinburg, VA
💰 Free — RSVP required
🔗 Registration link

Speakers at the May 29th Summit

Dr. Jenna Krall — Department of Global and Community Health, George Mason University Research focus: Environmental exposure, pollution, and housing-related health impacts

Dr. Antwan Jones — George Washington University Research focus: Housing stability, urban policy, cardiovascular outcomes, and obesity in marginalized communities

Maria Daugherty, MA — Zoning Policy Expert Focus: The power of zoning in shaping communities and Virginia's completed statewide zoning atlas

Speakers at the June 5th Shenandoah County Summit

Mel Jones — Virginia Center for Housing Research, Virginia Tech Focus: Results of the recent Shenandoah County/Woodstock housing study

Ryan Price — Chief Economist, Virginia Realtors Focus: Statewide real estate market trends and local implications

Panel Discussion — Housing Forward Virginia