Survey of 729 residents finds strong support for affordable and supportive housing and preference for single‑family homes

A housing needs survey presented to Lewis County committees found broad resident support for affordable and supportive housing initiatives while also showing a strong preference for single‑family, rural living.

Joel Alon, director of the JCC Center for Community Studies, told the Financial Rules committee the study collected 729 responses—315 at the Lewis County Fair, 170 by email and 244 by online panel—and that the sample was weighted for gender, age and education. "We had 729 total people who filled it out," Alon said.

Key findings presented by Alon and Cassandra Buell, director of planning and community development: - Housing stock and preference: 86% of respondents said they live in a single‑family home and about 90% said they would prefer that housing type. - Housing importance and priorities: 61% said affordable housing is "very important" to community health and wellbeing; support and homeowner improvement funding and affordable housing projects ranked highest when respondents were asked what roles the county should play. - Cost and affordability: Among respondents who pay rent (about 20% of the sample), average monthly housing expenses (rent plus utilities and internet as reported) summed to roughly $900. Alon noted the survey data were cleansed to remove outliers. - Housing challenges: 13% reported recent difficulty finding suitable housing; 8% said they had experienced homelessness under the survey's definition. - Support for supportive housing: When defined in the presentation as permanent apartments with tailored support services, respondents showed strong support for that type of supportive housing (presentation reported a 69 to 8 support ratio on the item).

The survey also asked about accessory dwelling units (ADUs): roughly three in 10 respondents said they were interested in living in or creating an ADU. Broadband and yard space were the amenities most often rated "very important." Alon highlighted that the sample was intentionally collected at public events to reach historically underrepresented groups and that cross‑tabulations by town and demographic group are available in appendices.

Next steps: presenters said the full report and appendices are available for committee review and that the survey data should inform local planning decisions, discussions about county roles in affordable‑housing projects, and future public outreach.