Sky Valley needs assessment: survey finds housing, mental health and access-to-care gaps

Caitlin, a human services consultant, told the Monroe City Planning Commission that a Sky Valley needs assessment conducted beginning in May 2025 identified housing, mental and behavioral health, and limited access to medical and dental care as the top needs across the region.

The assessment included 289 survey responses, 18 key-informant interviews and six focus groups, and combined those primary data with federal, state and county secondary sources, Caitlin said. "For our survey, we were able to include 289 responses," she said, and added that the sample achieved a 95% confidence interval for representativeness of the Sky Valley area.

Why it matters: The Sky Valley region (covering Monroe and nearby ZIP codes) has a higher share of residents with limited English proficiency and fewer local health providers than neighboring counties, increasing the likelihood that people with low incomes or limited English will face barriers to services. The report notes…