Groundwork, Workforce Housing for Northwest Arkansas

Groundwork focuses on the emerging issue of housing affordability in Northwest Arkansas.

Groundwork, Workforce Housing for Northwest Arkansas

Groundwork – previously the Northwest Arkansas workforce housing center – is focused on the emerging issue of housing affordability in Benton and Washington counties in Northwest Arkansas.

The goal is to strengthen the bonds in Northwest Arkansas communities by creating a variety of well-designed housing options and mixed-income neighborhoods for the region’s workers and their families.

Groundwork is being incubated at the Northwest Arkansas Council with support from the Walton Family Foundation. The center will collaborate with community partners to develop a strategic plan specific to housing needs and priorities.

We will promote housing development in proximity to employment centers, lifestyle amenities and essential services.

Who This Helps

Teachers, firefighters, health care workers, manufacturing workers and other residents face increasing obstacles in finding housing at affordable rates relative to their incomes.

These barriers often prevent people from living in and contributing to the richness of the communities where they work.

Many Northwest Arkansas residents often choose to live away from the region’s core cities due to lower housing costs in outlying areas.

Any savings on housing costs by choosing to live outside city centers can be offset by higher transportation costs and increased commute time, making it difficult for people to become engaged in the communities where they work.

Meet Big Emma

Groundwork – previously the Northwest Arkansas workforce housing center – announced its first investment in an attainable housing development to be constructed in Springdale. The development is supported by a grant from the Walton Family Foundation.

“Big Emma” is a 77-unit mixed-income apartment development located on Emma Avenue in downtown Springdale. The investment from Groundwork ensures 30 of the units will be permanently reserved for households earning below the area median income in Northwest Arkansas.

The project is centrally located on the corner Emma Avenue and Park Street in Springdale. The development is in close proximity and walkable to other important amenities like grocery stores, health clinics, pharmacies, and recreation opportunities like Luther George Park, the Razorback Regional Greenway and The Jones Center. Designed by BiLd Architects, the mixed-use development will include a ground-floor coffee shop.

Housing Resources

Click these resources to learn more

NWA Workforce Housing

Housing by the Numbers

Our Housing Future

The Skyline Report

First Half of 2022

The Skyline Report

Second Half of 2021

NWA Housing Policy Landscape Assessment

Northwest Arkansas Housing Policy Landscape Assessment

Phase One Report

Northwest Arkansas Housing Policy Landscape Assessment

Phase Two Report

Groundwork focuses on the emerging issue of housing affordability in Northwest Arkansas.