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Wed. April 10, 2019, 9:00 -10:30am
Maricopa County Dept. of Public Health
4041 N. Central Ave. Room 717
For those calling in:
Dial-in Number: (605) 472-5814
Access Code: 383-185-253
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April 2019 Newsletter
Health and Housing
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Here are a few articles related to this month's theme on Health and Housing
Give them a peek! Then scroll down for Local stories, events and a unique funding opportunity.
The healthiest communities in the U.S. are ones where people can afford homes
"2019 County Health Rankings show a clear correlation between prevalence of housing cost burdens and negative health outcomes. The counties where the highest percentage of households struggle with housing costs also show elevated rates of child poverty, food insecurity, and poor overall health among adults."
"There’s no question that across the U.S., access to housing is a persistent issue. Over 1 in 10 households in the country are overburdened with housing costs that take up more than half of their income. That leaves little left over... for families to afford food and necessities like medicine, which impacts health."
Read the full article
Black families are more likely to need to leave their own communities to access fresh and nutritious foods.
Does most of your paycheck go to rent? That may be hurting your health
Another article discusses the findings of the 2019 County Health Rankings, but pays specific attention to the fact that renters and people of color are most burdened by the health impacts of high housing costs. From the article: "While many communities face high housing costs, these burdens are not universally shared. Renters are more likely than homeowners to spend more than half of their paycheck on housing. The costs of homeownership have improved over the past few years, but housing costs for renters have not."
"There are also racial differences. More than 1 in 10 white households spend more than half of their income on housing, with a median income of US$56,000. But among households headed by blacks, the median income is $33,000 – and about 1 in 4 black households experience these housing costs burdens."
So, What about Phoenix?
Phoenix has long been the West's most affordable city. That might change.
Last month, Catherine Reagor from the Arizona Republic reported on the rising cost to live in the Valley, an issue not only impacting those living in or seeking affordable housing but also those making minimum wage or living on fixed incomes. Especially, since rents climbed at a near record pace last year. While focused on Phoenix, we know this is an issue happening in other parts of the state.
"If the middle class can’t afford to buy or rent, more people compete for the Valley’s dwindling supply of affordable homes and apartments. Then, lower-income earners struggling to rent the most affordable housing get squeezed out, so homelessness climbs."
Meanwhile... "Cities in Arizona can't require developers to limit rent prices or to provide affordable housing, but some are trying." Read the full article by clicking here.
Events
Capacity-Building Workshops for Cities:
Preserving Existing Affordable Housing
Join the ASU Stardust Center for Affordable Homes and the Family for the third of four workshops on creating and preserving affordable and workforce housing in your city. Led by Silvia Urrutia, co-founder of the Arizona Housing Alliance, this high-level, interactive series brings together public and private entities to discuss challenges, highlight best practices, encourage innovation, and disseminate vital information to impact your city's affordable housing capacity.
Date/Time: Thursday, April 11, 2019; 9:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.
Location: Wrigley Hall, Room 481, ASU Tempe Campus
Register here. Do it soon!
Anti-Displacement Strategies Forum
The number of very low-income households without any housing subsidy who pay more than 50% in rent is growing significantly. Evictions are on the rise, and homeownership is increasingly out of reach for low-income and middle-class people. Because of these conditions, community development practitioners and local policymakers across the country are seeking tools to combat displacement.
Join LISC Phoenix and The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco and learn how the community development field and the public and private sectors can partner to address displacement pressures in Arizona.
Resource
Funds for Kickstarting Affordable Housing Solutions:
Lessons for New Investors
A shortage of affordable homes for workers and families at all income levels across the country calls for innovative solutions. Over the past decade, a variety of public-private loan funds have developed to kick-start construction and preservation of affordable housing. This report breaks down how these funds fit into the process of developing and preserving affordable housing and shares lessons for those who are considering starting or investing in a fund.
View the report here.
Help out our friends at the Maricopa Association of Governments.
Take their survey by April 6th!
As part of an effort to update the long-range transportation plan, MAG is asking individuals who live or work in the Maricopa County region to complete a survey about values and priorities for the region.
There’s no time like the present to shape the future of transportation in this region by taking MAG's survey. The results will be used to develop plans for future roads, public transit, bike and pedestrian improvements
The online survey will take approximately 10 minutes. Raffle prizes ranging from $100 gift cards to personal electronics, or even a $1,000 grand prize are available!
Apply soon! Maricopa County Funding Opportunity:
Opening Doors to Physical Activity and Healthy Eating
Maricopa County Dept. of Public Health is offering grant funding of up to $5000, per site, to increase the number of spaces in under-served areas, so those community residents can:
- play, exercise and take part in recreational activities
- grow healthy food and participate in nutrition related activities
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