Unlocking Workforce Housing Initiative Hosts Employer Forum & Breakfast to Support Local Workforce Homeownership
July 14, 2026 | Member Submitted
North Lake Tahoe employers invited to July 22 event focused on housing resources, employee retention, and local workforce stability
The Unlocking Workforce Housing initiative, led by local real estate, lending, escrow, title, and credit counseling professionals, will host the Employer Workforce Housing “Live Where You Work” Forum & Breakfast on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at The Chateau in Incline Village. This event is sponsored by the Incline Village Realtors Association and IVCBA.
The event is designed to help North Lake Tahoe employers connect their employees with trusted housing education, homeownership resources, financing options, below-market-rate housing opportunities, and local assistance programs.
Breakfast and networking will begin at 8:30 a.m., sponsored by Columbia Bank. A presentation from 9:00 to 10:15 a.m. will highlight local, state, and federal employer resources that can help Lake Tahoe employees find realistic housing solutions. The event will conclude with an employer networking session from 10:30 to 11:00 a.m. focused on stabilizing the Tahoe workforce through shared ideas, needs, and solutions.
“Most people do not realize there are approximately 100 below-market-rate condos in Incline Village for low- and moderate-income households, or that loan and grant resources are available for essential workers,” said Laura Levine Kalisch, Chair of the Workforce and Fair Housing Committee and Senior Loan Advisor at Columbia Bank. “Our goal is to bring accurate information directly to employees where they work and help employers support the people who keep our community running.”
The initiative is supported in part by grant funding from the National Association of REALTORS®, spearheaded by Dr. Laura Vitencz, CEO of Incline Village REALTORS®. The grant supports outreach, collateral creation, web resources, and Spanish-language translation where needed.
“This program is about connecting the workforce with real resources and trusted local guidance,” said Dr. Laura Vitencz. “By partnering with employers, we can make housing education more accessible and help employees better understand the pathways that may be available to them.”
The July 22 event will also feature the initiative’s newest workforce homeowner family, highlighting how education, local resources, and one-on-one support can help make homeownership possible.
The Workforce Homeownership/Housing Resource Program is available at no cost to participating employers and can be tailored for onsite workshops, staff meetings, morning crews, administrative teams, or other employee groups. Workshops may include homebuyer education, financing options, down payment assistance, below-market-rate housing opportunities, budgeting, and individual confidential follow-up support.
Event Details
Employer Workforce Housing “Live Where You Work” Forum & Breakfast
Wednesday, July 22, 2026
8:30–11:00 a.m.
The Chateau
955 Fairway Blvd, Incline Village
Breakfast sponsored by Columbia Bank
RSVP by July 13, 2026: Dr. Laura Vitencz, lvitencz@inclinerealtors.com
Photo Caption: Local REALTORS®, housing professionals, and school leadership gather at Incline Elementary School for an Unlocking Workforce Housing workshop designed to connect Tahoe employees with homeownership education, housing resources, and local support. Pictured left to right: Amanda Mueller, REALTOR®; Sarah Zabel, M.Ed., Principal, Incline Elementary School; Dr. Laura Vitencz, Ph.D., CEO, Incline Village REALTORS®; Suzie McSherry, REALTOR®; and Laura Levine Kalisch, Workforce Housing Committee Chair and Senior Loan Advisor, Columbia Bank.
Media Contact
Laura Levine Kalisch
Workforce Housing Committee Chair
Senior Loan Advisor, Columbia Bank
415-302-1086
About Unlocking Workforce Housing
Unlocking Workforce Housing is a volunteer-led initiative connecting local employers and employees with homeownership education, housing resources, financial assistance programs, and trusted local professionals. The program supports workforce stability, employee retention, and long-term community sustainability in Incline Village and North Lake Tahoe.