As Northwest Arkansas continues to experience significant growth, the region faces increasing pressure to ensure housing options are available, attainable and aligned with community needs. To help address that challenge, Groundwork, an initiative of the Northwest Arkansas Council, has launched CHATS: Connecting Housing and Transformative Solutions.
CHATS is a community engagement program designed to spark localized conversations around housing. The model is simple: small groups of residents gather for structured discussions led by a peer host. Each host receives a free toolkit developed by Groundwork, with all the materials needed to guide a conversation with up to seven friends, neighbors or colleagues. Conversations can take place anywhere: at a dining table, in a library meeting room, or over coffee at a local shop.
The idea for CHATS was first introduced at Groundwork’s 2024 Housing Summit, when a community member asked how to expand the conversation beyond those already engaged. The Council and its partners had been meeting with stakeholders and participating in public events, but there was no formal tool to support grassroots outreach. CHATS emerged as a way to bridge that gap, offering residents the tools, language and confidence to begin talking about housing in their own networks.
The program officially launched May 1 and early engagement has been encouraging. To date, four CHATS sessions have taken place, with 10 more scheduled in the months ahead. Groundwork is also hosting a series of monthly open sessions for those interested in learning more before signing up to host.
Initial feedback from participants reflects a shared desire to be part of the solution. Residents recognize the growing demand for housing in the region, but many are unsure how to navigate the public process. Questions about zoning, permitting and council engagement are common. A consistent theme is that while people are open to new development, they often don’t realize their voices are welcome and needed at public meetings.
“Our goal is to create a ripple effect: one conversation leading to the next,” said Lindsey Navarrette, community engagement lead at Groundwork. “We want to help residents connect housing issues to their own experience and begin building pathways toward engagement and action.”
Insights gathered from CHATS will also inform future Groundwork efforts. Common questions, misconceptions and recurring barriers will be included in a summary report later this year. That feedback will support ongoing policy discussions, shape educational content and strengthen the broader housing coalition forming in the region. CHATS Phase 1 concludes Oct. 31, with a second phase planned for 2026.
As Northwest Arkansas works to ensure its communities remain inclusive, connected and forward-looking, programs like CHATS play an important role. They building local knowledge, fostering dialogue and making space for more residents to take part in shaping the region’s future.
To learn more or sign up to host or attend a CHATS session, visit Groundwork.
