Developing Communities of Opportunity
For generations, the aspiration of the United States of America to be a land of opportunity for all has been a core value of our nation. However, millions of low income families in the US live in communities disconnected from opportunity, where their financial status, race and zip code determine their access to education, jobs, food and many other essential services. This poor distribution of opportunity, environmental quality and health is a fundamental misallocation of justice. If we are to create a fair and just society, then it is our moral imperative to overcome this.
Research increasingly highlights that poor housing and neighborhood conditions have detrimental effects on a wide range of life outcomes including health, education, employment and lifetime earnings.
Our goal is to develop a range of cost-effective strategies that can enhance the connections between people and the pathways to opportunity, improve the health of the buildings in which they live, result in better life outcomes, and potentially spark a ripple effect in surrounding neighborhoods. These are called Communities of Opportunity and they are essential to making the American Dream available to all.
Our vision for Communities of Opportunity is to empower residents through the co-creation of interventions to improve their health and well-being (physical, mental, financial, social and spiritual), resulting in better life outcomes, with great housing communities as the platform.
Our Communities of Opportunity will be places where all residents, employees and neighbors can thrive in safety, health, economic opportunity and with a strong culture of connectedness.
Squire Village
A 379 unit affordable housing preservation project in Manchester, CT, which underwent a complete renovation, greening and the construction of a new 7,000-square foot community center to serve Its 1,000 residents with over 30 programs.
Thriving, Healthy Communities
Today, 43 million Americans require SNAP (food stamp) benefits to avoid malnutrition. Over 20 million American families currently spend more than 50% of their income on housing, and up to 30% on their transportation and utility bills. There is little left to move forward, much less save. And many live in sub-standard housing, with mold on the walls, pest infestations or other toxins present.
We believe that safe, green affordable housing is the platform upon which Communities of Opportunity are built.
Our work begins by developing or acquiring affordable and mixed income housing, served by mass transit and nearby resources, and creating an affordable, safe, non-toxic, pleasant and supportive environment for our residents.
Our vision for Communities of Opportunity is to empower residents through the co-creation of interventions to improve their health and well-being (physical, mental, financial, social and spiritual), resulting in better life outcomes, with great housing communities as the platform.
Categories of Impact
Our Communities of Opportunity work focuses on influencing the social determinants of health. Health is much more than just physical wellbeing. There are many social factors including safety, connectedness, access to financial support, and transportation that contribute to one’s health. Here, each Category of Impact aims to address a different social determinant of health, enabling communities to increase overall wellbeing.
Without a safe community, little else is possible. A lack of safety leads to poor physical and mental health outcomes as people tend to isolate, disconnect from neighbors and community and fear the execution of day to day activities.
Find out moreCreating a connected community and bringing residents together is a great way to add to overall wellbeing.
Find out moreUnfortunately, food insecurity is a widespread problem for many low-income families and individuals.
Find out moreEncouraging a healthy lifestyle for all residents is crucial to fostering a thriving Community of Opportunity.
Find out moreEconomic stability has increasingly been seen as an integral aspect to ones’ health. Financial security can create longstanding opportunity our residents, and their children.
Find out moreConnecting our residents to education opportunities is another key aspect of our Communities of Opportunity programming.
Find out moreCivic engagement refers to the active participation in activities oriented toward collective action, care and development of others and is an important indicator of healthy communities.
Find out moreWe recognize the need to mitigate the impact that our buildings have on the environment. To uphold this commitment, we implement green building standards and are committed to providing our residents with the healthiest, most energy efficient and affordable housing possible.
Find out moreOur Communities of Opportunity programming would not be possible without a dependable and consistent method of communication.
Find out moreThe social impact of arts and culture is as yet unquantified, but we believe that providing access to the arts is an essential part of building a vibrant, healthy and thriving community that promotes wellbeing.
Find out moreAccess to transportation is a central aspect of a Community of Opportunity. Access to opportunity relies upon the ability to get around in an efficient way, and for an affordable price.
Find out more