The workshop will examine the significant challenges faced by people in rural Appalachia recovering from substance use disorder, particularly those caused by inadequate housing and employment opportunities, which are further compounded by frequent climate-related disasters.
Penn State, in partnership with Fahe, a network of nonprofits serving Appalachia, and RCCR, community partner focusing on recovery housing, will bring together a nexus of interdisciplinary players to co-design novel recovery housing programs that integrate disaster resilience, community-centric design, and sustainable development.
The approach involves a collaborative process with local stakeholders, including nonprofits, community organizations, individuals with lived experience, and academic experts across disciplines to create housing solutions that are healthy, hazard-resistant, culturally appropriate, and economically feasible. By combining expertise from multiple sectors and focusing on climate-resilient, community-driven housing solutions, this workshop will catalyze long-term, sustainable recovery housing initiatives. These initiatives will enhance the well-being of individuals in recovery and contribute to the resilience of rural Appalachian communities, fostering a sustainable and thriving future for both the region’s residents and their local economies.
Project Type:
Level 1 – 2025 Workshop
Project Leads:
- Mariantonieta Gutierrez Soto
Assistant Professor of Engineering Design, Penn State - Kristina Brant
Assistant Professor of Rural Sociology
Collaborators:
- Leadership from Fahe, an organization that works to improve life and the environment in Appalachian communities.
Resources:
Themes:
Built Environment & Transportation Health & Well-Being Justice & Ethics