The Legacy of the Mountain Housing Council

Tags: collaboration, collective impact, housing, Impact Investing

From 2017 to 2023, the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation, with its dedicated resources and team, took on the pivotal role of leading and facilitating the Mountain Housing Council (MHC). This unprecedented regional collaboration of 29 diverse partners, accelerated achievable local housing solutions for the people of Tahoe Truckee. Before this time, the housing crisis was an amorphous issue understood only through anecdotes. Before this time, no data existed that could accurately represent the housing market and lived reality of those who call this place home.

Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation and our partners changed that when we launched the first regional housing needs assessment. After that, it was evident that we needed to come together to identify and accelerate potential solutions.

During its time, the MHC’s accomplishments have included:

• 15 new programs
• $80MM+ attracted to the region
• 770 + units facilitate of workforce housing, new and converted

MHC’s ongoing impact is evident in its partners’ continued engagement, who are now leading new housing initiatives. This effort strengthened community ties and fostered innovation, empowering partners to develop creative approaches to housing challenges. 

At this time, it is clear that we are ready to each focus on housing as it aligns most strategically with our individual missions.

TTCF’s Housing Role Moving Forward

As we transition from the Mountain Housing Council, the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation remains steadfast in our commitment to working closely with local housing partners. We are dedicated to addressing shared priorities and maximizing our impact in the community. This shift aligns with our new strategic plan centered on the capital absorption capacity framework- more on that to come.

As TTCF moves into the next phase of our housing efforts, we’re modeling the work ahead to align with Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation’s strategic plan.  Our goal is to improve the lives of our people and enhance the health of our community’s places by applying the methods below as a unified approach.  

Shared Priorities

TTCF remains committed to close collaboration with the community to shape strategies and continuously identify shared priorities. Community perspectives play a crucial role in driving the ongoing implementation of the work. This new approach will transition from an agreed-upon partnership network to more fluid organizing structures to ensure inclusive input and education.

Enabling Environments

In this next phase, we strategically redistribute some of MHC’s previous roles to regional partners while ensuring community alignment remains a key focus of TTCF’s efforts. We recognize that the increased housing capacity in the region has created favorable conditions for success and growth. This new capacity is empowered with resources, policies, and effective governance structures, enabling it to be more effective in certain areas than we can be alone.

Pipelines of Opportunities

TTCF will strive to identify solutions and bring resources that align with our shared priorities for maximum strategic impact in the community.

More Information

• Watch our short film:  The Mountain Housing Council of Tahoe Truckee: Impact and History from 2017-2023
• TTCF: Mountain Housing Council Legacy and Housing Position Paper

Ways to Engage

• Attend an Achievable Housing Lunch & Learn 
• Donate to TTCF’s Housing Solutions Fund

More Resources

Are you a Mountain Community looking to learn from us? You can visit www.mountainhousingcouncil.org or sign up for resources.