On this episode of the Wilkes-Barre Connect Podcast, we hear from Maryanne Velez from the United NEPA Alliance and Vivian Williams from the Scranton Area Community Foundation.  They discuss data on rising rents and the lack of affordable housing options. We also hear from college students and young professionals discussing concerns about remaining in the area after graduation.

Solutions, such as community needs for living wages, wraparound support services, and career opportunities beyond warehouses are addressed. Maryanne and Vivian also discuss partnerships between nonprofits, unions, and schools as ways to promote skilled trades and long-term housing stability. Key takeaways include:

• The impact of the pandemic on the real estate market,
• importance of a "housing first" approach, 
• strategies to rebuild the middle class.

To learn more about the Scranton Area Foundation - https://safdn.org/

To learn more about UNA - https://www.unacorp.org/

To learn more about Wilkes-Barre Connect - https://wyomingvalleychamber.org/wilkes-barre-connect/