Are Our Neighborhoods Making Us Sick? Spring 2012 Shelterforce

Last updated: August 9, 2012 – 12:00 PM

The Spring edition of Shelterforce Magazine (published by the National Housing Institute) focused on Healthy Homes and Environmental Justice.  Check out the below articles to learn more about how housing, community development and your health are closely related.

“Better Together” – The community development and health sectors can and should work together to reduce health disparities and improve everyone’s health.  By David Erickson and Nancy O. Andrews

“Housing First” – The conventional approach to homelessness starts with services. But starting with permanent housing instead costs less and works better.  By Nan Roman and Lisa Stand

“Foreclosing on Our Health?” – In a dangerous cycle, medical bills are a common cause of foreclosure—and the stress and financial crisis of foreclosure causes an increase in serious health problems.  By Rachel Blake

“Breathing Easier” – A Massachusetts-based program provides home environment assessments, education, and home remediation services—often resulting in the improved health and lives of families.  By Emily W. Rosenbaum

“Taking Health Into Account” – By systematically assessing the health risks of development decisions upfront, health impact assessments can prevent costly and harmful mistakes.  By Aaron Wernham

“California’s New Environmental Movement” – How communities of color, using health and jobs as rallying cries, took on Big Oil — and won!  By Catherine Lerza

“Healthy Yards with Youth in Charge” – The Worcester, Mass., Toxic Soil Busters co-op shows improving a neighborhood’s health doesn’t have to be limited to experts and outsiders.  By Asa Needle, Jonathan Rodrigues and Matt Feinstein

“The Intersection of Health Philanthropy and Housing” – Health philanthropy and community development have historically worked on separate tracks. That’s changing.  By Marjorie Paloma

“Prescription for a New Neighborhood” – Housing mobility can complement community revitalization for children with serious health challenges.  By Philip Tegeler and Salimah Hankins

“Unsorting Our Cities” – To improve the health of residents of disadvantaged neighborhoods, we have to address inequality, not medical care.   By Mindy Fullilove

“Health and Community Development Resources” – If you want to explore the intersection of health and community development further, here are some places to start.

Shelterforce #169/Spring 2012 – http://www.shelterforce.org/archive/issues/169/