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Despite decades of community development, inequities are growing and people of color and people experiencing poverty are more at-risk and vulnerable to mortality and economic hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic, on top of pre-existing disparities. This is placing a significant strain on safety, mental health and, for many, causing triggers of past or current traumas. The 10-20 year disparity of life expectancy in many cities underscores the link between place, health, and wealth. As recognized in the Charter, “physical solutions by themselves will not solve social and economic problems, but neither can economic vitality, community stability…be sustained without a coherent and supportive physical framework.”

Join Mithun partner Erin Christensen Ishizaki for “Health & Housing: Equitable Drivers of Neighborhood Transformation,” to learn how non-traditional partners including health systems and hospitals are teaming with developers to tackle root causes of the most pervasive, expensive and preventable health issues. This session will delve into implementation strategies from district to project scale and how holistic interventions can improve outcomes for marginalized groups and entire communities. We will share partnership and financing models with institutions, health plans, and impact investors and insights into their motivations. Case studies including the Sun Valley EcoDistrict in Denver, and the Avondale community transformation in Cincinnati, will share concrete solutions for designing and developing inclusive and resilient communities, how to prioritize physical and mental health needs and integrate resident life programs, and emerging research and evaluation methods that combine health, equity and resilience approaches.

Erin’s co-presenters include Jeffrey Beam, regional vice president of real estate development at The Community Builders; Reginald Harris, MSW, LISW-S, CTP, director of community life at The Community Builders; and Panagis Galiatsatos, M.D., MHS, assistant professor, division of pulmonary and critical care medicine at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.

Date Posted: 06.10.2020