Strategic Direction
In March 2025, the Verde Valley Community Development Organization (VVCDO) convened regional leaders—including representatives from municipalities, Yavapai County, chambers of commerce, nonprofit organizations, and the business community—for a strategic session focused on workforce housing. The goal was to identify shared priorities and actionable strategies to address regional housing challenges. Through this collaborative process, participants established three focus areas and five priorities that will guide regional coordination and implementation efforts.
Recommended Role for VVCDO
Facilitator/Intermediary. The organization becomes directly involved in the planning and coordination of specific projects and programs. Sometimes the involvement consists of providing technical assistance to both private and nonprofit sector organizations to facilitate project or program development. In other instances, the organization may act on behalf of the community to help seek out, review and recommend approvals of specific projects or programs. In this role, the organization is involved in helping almost every project or program, but it has direct responsibility for none and there are few, if any, direct rewards. This role can cause conflict if the organization is caught in the middle of an irresolvable dispute between organizations, local government, or residents and neighborhood groups. (Martina Kuehl, Kuehl Enterprises)
The following reflects the top priorities and direction identified through the planning process.
Focus Area 1: Perception, Understanding, and Education
Objective: Build broad community support and shared understanding around workforce housing needs.
- Develop and implement an education and outreach program to inform residents, businesses, and decision-makers.
- Create a formal collaboration framework to ensure consistent communication among all stakeholders in housing development projects.
Focus Area 2: Municipal Practice and Implementation
Objective: Strengthen municipal processes to enable and sustain successful housing development.
- Develop and implement a streamlined project process that supports timely and effective housing project delivery.
- Identify and adopt best regional practices to improve zoning, permitting, and housing policy alignment across jurisdictions.
Focus Area 3: Builder and Developer Engagement
Objective: Strengthen partnerships to deliver housing solutions that meet workforce needs.
- Collaborate with developers to identify, design, and advance priority housing projects that align with regional workforce demand.
Next Steps
VVCDO and its partners will use these focus areas and priorities to:
- Guide policy discussions and funding strategies.
- Promote regional collaboration and accountability.
- Support the implementation of housing projects that sustain the Verde Valley’s economy and quality of life.
