HousingWorks Austin August 2016 Newsletter

August 2016 EDITION

LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR
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We are thrilled to launch "early bird" registration for our November 17th summit Housing + Health: Building Blocks of Equity and Opportunity. We recognize that housing is linked to a variety of different outcomes, including health, education and economic advancement. Volumes of research has shown that safe, stable, affordable housing is a platform for success in many aspects of life.

On November 17th, along with co-hosts Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas and Children's Optimal Health, we will focus on the crucial link between housing and health. We are fortunate to have national experts from across the country, including David J. Erickson from the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco; Ruth Ann Norton of Green and Healthy Homes Initiative based in Baltimore, Maryland, and Megan Sandel, MD, MPH, an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Boston University School of Medicine. Dr. Sandel speaks passionately about the social determinants of health and how affordable housing can act as a vaccine for healthier children.

The summit will create important conversations and collaborations between housing and community development professionals, health care professionals, and financial institutions. With the opening of the Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin, the dialogue around housing and health has never been more timely. We hope to see you there!

-- Mandy DeMayo
Executive Director, HousingWorks Austin

Summit Brings Experts to Explore Link Between Housing and Health

As efforts continue to bring much-needed affordable housing to Austin how do we ensure that residents are also healthy and safe? To explore that question, HousingWorks Austin has teamed up with Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas and Children's Optimal Health to host Housing + Health, Building Blocks of Equity and Opportunity. Find out more about the summit and how to register on our website.

Homeless to Healthy - A Foundation Communities Success Story

As we draw closer to the Housing + Health Summit we're co-hosting on November 17, we will highlight Austin area nonprofits who understand the benefits of incorporating health initiatives into housing. One such organization is Foundation Communities. In this Keep Austin Affordable video feature, we meet Adrian Coleman, an Army veteran who went from homeless to healthy thanks to affordable housing. Watch her story here.

Nonprofit Coalitions, Some Elected Officials Demand More Investment in Health and Human Services Programs

The battle over the City of Austin's FY2017 budget includes a demand for more money for social services. HousingWorks' partner organization, One Voice Central Texas and others made their case during a news conference on July 27th. We have a full recap and the priorities that increased funding would support on our website.