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Where you live matters. There is no escaping how important that housing impacts an individual’s life. Where someone lives affects their income and education levels, their access to opportunities, and their overall health.
In many “big cities” in the United States, housing costs force some low-income and Latino families to make difficult financial decisions. Many forgo medical expenses, utilities, and sometimes food in an effort to pay rent or mortgages each month.
The city of Austin, Texas (34.5% Latino population), has earned a reputation as one of the most segregated cities in the country. In an effort to combat this unfortunate trend, the Austin City Council approved a resolution to “better spread affordable housing throughout the city,” reports the Austin American-Statesman.
The resolution, drafted by Council Member Greg Casar, would offer incentives to affordable housing developers to build in wealthier areas of town. The measure was unanimously approved and approved an analysis of all properties looking for low-income housing credits.
“We have a long way to go in getting Austin off the list of most segregated cities in the country,” Casar said in a news release. “[But] this item — along with our efforts in recent years creating the largest recurring city funding stream for affordable housing, pushing our fair housing goals, and strengthening tenants’ rights — will move us in the right direction.”
As part of Austin’s newly adopted Strategic Housing Blueprint, the city is looking to build 60,000 affordable housing units in the next 10 years.
Read more the link between housing and health for Latinos here:
- Latinos are more likely to use a payday loan than any other racial group. #SaludAmerica #SaludSupport http://salud.to/2e7rfaN
- NY to implement $1.4 bil. plan to improve health & poverty rates in Bklyn. #SaludAmerica #SaludSupport http://salud.to/2mMcPBH
- USDA Invests $74 Million for Affordable Rural Rental Housing. #SaludAmerica #SaludSupport http://salud.to/2hTvLYW
By The Numbers
142
Percent
Expected rise in Latino cancer cases in coming years
