Portfolio Partner Profile

Fahe

Fahe is a purpose-oriented Network, comprised of over 50 community-based nonprofits working to cultivate thriving Appalachian communities across Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, Virginia, Alabama, and Maryland. Fahe envisions a future where Appalachia is a stable and prosperous region, with inclusive economies, improved living conditions, and a strong sense of community. To achieve this, Fahe’s strategy includes developing and preserving affordable housing, providing mortgage services to increase homeownership accessibility, investing in community facilities, and initiating economic and infrastructure development. The organization also emphasizes serving rural communities, promoting sustainability and energy efficiency in housing, as well as engaging in research and policy advocacy to address systemic barriers to economic opportunity.

Fahe has cultivated the deepest-reaching platform to connect investment to boots-on-the-ground leadership throughout one of the most difficult places to serve in the country. Each of their Members are staffed by local leaders who understand the needs and local capacity of their communities. As Fahe is Member-owned and -governed, their strategies and priorities change as the needs of their Members and communities evolve. While Fahe is located in and directly serves the Appalachian region, they also focus on advocacy and systems change on a national stage to increase the level of investment in all our nation’s underserved communities, so they can become places of opportunity for all people.

Guided by their four corners of Capacity, Money, Narrative, and People, Fahe has undertaken a transformative challenge to double its financial impact, construct 60,000 new units of housing, and increase investment to $3 billion, impacting 1 million people by their 50th anniversary in 2030.

Featured Impact Story

Impact Story

The Weavers

In response to the devastating Eastern Kentucky Floods in 2022, Fahe lead the creation of Housing Can’t Wait, alongside several Fahe Members and longstanding housing partners, to address the need for immediate and permanent single-family housing solutions for flood survivors. Arnold and Virginia Weaver of Whitesburg, Kentucky were among the first families served by Housing Can’t Wait. They lost their home and nearly their lives on the morning of the flood. “We were still in bed and would have probably gotten up in thirty minutes, an hour at most,” said Arnold Weaver. “It might have been too late if we waited that long.” The Weavers left their home as the flooding began and watched as the rising waters claimed their house. They were later rescued via helicopter. During the subsequent months, they rented a house from a friend who lived on higher ground, all the while contemplating if they would have to leave their community because of the extensive damage to their home.

However, thanks to the efforts of Housing Can’t Wait and Fahe Member HOMES, the Weavers were able to use their FEMA award, insurance, and other sources of funding to purchase a new home built by HOMES out of the flood plain and stay in Whitesburg among their friends and family. “We know we are two of the most blessed people in the world, but we also feel guilty that other people are living campers and tents,” said Virginia Weaver. “We wonder why we got the opportunity to have a house. Other people need an opportunity to do that the same as we did.” Fahe continues to partner with Team Kentucky, Governor Beshear’s office, and other housing partners to ensure Eastern Kentucky communities are rebuilt to be strong and resilient. Housing Can’t Wait partners focused on flood recovery have built 88 new homes and performed major rehabilitation on 305 homes since 2022.