Recording of the live presentation and panel discussion of this report may be accessed HERE
What does a decade of research, planning, and community debate tell us about the future of housing in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County? The recently released report, Preservation, Production, & Policy: Comprehensive Strategies for Addressing Housing Needs in Winston-Salem & Forsyth County – A Meta Analysis & Literature Review by Dr. Stephen J. Sills (Innovative Research Insights), takes a sweeping look at more than ten years of local housing studies, assessments, and strategic plans. The goal: to distill the lessons, track persistent challenges, and point toward real solutions for one of our region’s most pressing issues.
The findings are both sobering and galvanizing. Over the past decade, study after study has documented a growing shortage of affordable and workforce housing, with nearly half of Forsyth County’s renters now paying more than 30% of their income on housing. Historical legacies like segregation, redlining, and exclusionary zoning continue to shape who has access to opportunity, with Black and Latino residents most affected by cycles of concentrated poverty and limited housing choice.
But it’s not just about supply and demand. The report highlights a series of systemic challenges: limited access to capital, investor-driven purchases of low-cost homes, and a fragmented approach to housing policy that often stymies real progress. While the city and county have invested in numerous plans and pilot programs, action has lagged behind research, and the gap between need and supply has only widened.
Despite these challenges, the meta-analysis identifies several bright spots and actionable recommendations. Place-based and equity-centered strategies such as land banking, preserving existing affordable homes, expanding down-payment assistance, and integrating housing with transportation and economic development are gaining traction. Programs like the Forsyth County Homeownership Program have shown that targeted investment can help families build wealth and move into higher-opportunity neighborhoods, though racial and spatial inequities remain.
Ultimately, the meta analysis calls for a shift from studies to sustained action. Recommendations include diversifying housing options, intentionally de-concentrating poverty, repairing historical inequities, and ensuring ongoing community engagement in decision-making. As the region continues to grow, ensuring safe, affordable, and accessible housing for all must be at the center of public policy and community investment.
Innovative Research Insights 