Introduction
This web-quest will target housing and food insecurity issues in areas with a particular emphasis on low-income communities. The program takes a diverse strategy that includes housing measures as well as strategies to increase access to healthy food alternatives. In terms of housing, the initiative aims to expand the supply of affordable housing units while also offering shelter and housing alternatives for people and families experiencing financial difficulty. It covers projects such as the construction of inexpensive housing complexes, the rehabilitation of existing structures, and the implementation of supporting housing services.The initiative acknowledges the link between housing and food security, recognizing that thriving neighborhoods require secure housing alternatives as well as access to nutritious food.The intervention aims to develop healthier and more resilient neighborhoods in the Hampton Roads area via collaborative initiatives with local governments, community organizations, and companies. The holistic approach matches with the requirements of the community, addressing the underlying causes of inequality and encouraging long-term well-being. The establishment of grocery shops and healthy food markets within these areas is a key component, improving residents' access to fresh and nutritious produce. (Pattath, 2022).
https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/vjph/vol6/iss1/6/
The videos pertaining to this topic will help readers understand what families in low-income neighborhoods and on SNAP benefits must do to include nutritious foods in their meals, and as well as why it is more challenging than in places with grocery shops.
Task
What will it take to meet this need?
To achieve the program's aims and measurable goals, certain actions and techniques will be implemented. To begin, the initiative will work with local housing authorities and private developers to expedite the creation of affordable housing units. It involves buying sufficient land, receiving important permits, and adhering to building codes. Incorporating community participation is of the upmost importance in formulating a strategy that effectively tailors to the requirements of individuals in need of affordable housing. Meanwhile, addressing the lack of healthy food alternatives will entail collaborating with local companies, entrepreneurs, and non-profit organizations to open grocery stores with healthy food options. It involves finding ideal locations, giving incentives for companies to operate in disadvantaged regions, and executing community-wide events to encourage healthy eating habits. Nutrition education initiatives, culinary lessons, and collaborations with local farmers can all help to achieve this goal. Regular monitoring and evaluation of these activities will be required to ensure they are in line with the program's objectives. Residents' feedback, statistics on the number of finished housing units, and the construction of new food markets will be utilized to track progress and make required modifications.
The online resource below give information on different states' initiatives to create more housing and grocery stores.
https://www.axios.com/2023/05/02/nonprofit-grocery-stores-rehab-americas-food-deserts
How will you fund? How will you secure this?
Grants and donations will be used to finance this initiative. A nonprofit grant is money given to a nonprofit organization that does not have to be returned. Nonprofit grants are often given out by government organizations, companies, or foundations. Nonprofit funds, unlike typical small-business subsidies, are frequently limited. With a limited grant, the awarding institution specifies how the funds will be used, such as to fund research or to support a specific project. Before you may receive your funding, some organizations may ask that your nonprofit satisfy certain requirements (for example, follow specified reporting processes). Unrestricted nonprofit grants, on the other hand, provide you the freedom to use your grant money anyway you see right. These grants provide excellent flexibility, but they are not without risk.(Kriss, 2023). Donations and sponsoring families will also be accepted. A sponsor can choose a family at random to give resource for nutritious foods. Donations can assist with the creation of new gardens for nutritious foods as well as the construction of more affordable houses for the neighborhood. We want the neighborhood to be able to flourish on its own. This will be accomplished by collaborating with local, state, and federal governments to better understand the community's needs and the project's advantages. A team will be formed to ensure that all aspects of the project are understood and ready for launch. The team will consider all alternatives in order to be prepared for any situation.
https://createthegood.aarp.org/volunteer-guides/feed-a-family.html
https://housing.virginiabeach.gov/about-us/strategic-plans
Who will work on this plan? Will this plan need a facility?
There will be a coordinator, hired staff, and volunteers who will work on this plan. Workers will be picked from those who apply and go through the interviewing process, ensuring that everyone is working toward the same objective of providing more housing and healthy food alternatives in the community. Workers will be responsible for contacting organizations and willing volunteers to aid the cause. These individuals will go into the neighborhoods to help build rapport and gather the housing and nutritional needs of community. We will have a office space where workers and volunteers may congregate and discuss the current development of the project. When conducting business, this facility will also make it easy to meet with donors and sponsors.
Process
Goals/ Objectives and Budget
The Building Up Healthy and Affordable Living Organization in Norfolk, Virginia, is looking for a grant to help us with our housing and healthy eating needs. This program aims to provide support to families with children so that they may live in a secure and inexpensive environment while also having access to good food alternatives. The goal is that by the end of the year, everyone in the community will have at least twice the amount of nutritious food in their diets and half the amount of affordable housing. The Building Up Healthy and Affordable Living program is based on the most recent research on a successful comprehensive strategy that is aligned with the needs of the community, addresses the core causes of disparities, and promotes long-term well-being. A total of $100,000 has been requested for staff training and the purchase of project supplies, including hardware for the organization's resource room.
Statement of Need
The rent had risen so dramatically by 2019 that a person like Sarah Davis working full-time, year-round at minimum wage would be unable to afford the monthly Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom rental unit in any state or the District of Columbia while also having enough money for food, utilities, and other necessities. The affordable housing problem has affected families with children especially severely. Almost one-third of all children (31%) live in families where housing expenditures consume more than 30 percent of their family income. Sixty-one percent of low-income children are rent burdened. 5.9 million children live in households with "worst-case housing needs," which means they have a high rent burden, a poor income, and no housing assistance. (Dawson, 2023).
For children, household food insecurity was associated with considerably lower general health, several acute and chronic health issues, and worse health care access, including missed appointments and increased emergency department usage. Children in food-insecure households had rates of lifetime asthma diagnosis and depressive symptoms that were 19.1% and 27.9% higher, respectively, rates of foregone medical care that were 179.8% higher, and rates of emergency department use that were 25.9% higher. Policies that minimize children's home food insecurity may also lower their chronic and acute health issues, as well as their health care demands.(Thomas et al., 2019).
https://budget.lis.virginia.gov/item/2023/2/HB6001/Introduced/1/292/
Evaluation
With all of the knowledge we have concerning the absence of nutritious food alternatives and affordable housing in low-income areas, these measures must be implemented. The evaluation will use a dual method that includes formative and summative evaluations. The formative assessment will be critical in providing ongoing insights during the intervention's implementation. This continuing feedback process is critical for identifying difficulties quickly, adjusting techniques, and ensuring the intervention remains responsive to the community's changing needs. Furthermore, the post-implementation summative evaluation will give a full assessment of the program's overall impact and success in attaining its intended goals and objectives. A mix of formative and summative assessments enables a diverse awareness of the intervention's dynamics, allowing for adaptive modifications and a full study of the intervention's effectiveness.We see politicians discussing the need for these programs, but little change is being made. With this program, we can ensure that we are trying to do our share in an efficient and timely manner.
Conclusion
The research on housing and food poverty interventions supports the requirement of the chosen program. Successful treatments in a variety of settings give insights into progressive tactics. Programs concentrating on affordable housing, community development efforts, and novel techniques to increasing food accessibility have shown excellent results. By critically analyzing supporting literature, the program may rely on established approaches, best practices, and lessons gained. Furthermore, recognizing the constraints and obstacles experienced by past interventions allows for a more diverse proposal, increasing the program's chances of success. The evidence-based basis guarantees that the chosen intervention is well-informed, targeted, and adapted to unique socioeconomic and cultural context of low income areas. Assessing and fixing the identified issue is crucial since statistics and research consistently link inadequate housing and food insecurity to health challenges outcomes and the continuance of poverty cycles. Furthermore, focused interventions can break these cycles, improving well-being and closing socioeconomic inequalities. Thorough assessment ensures the program's efficacy, allowing for evidence-based changes and maximize beneficial community impact.
Thank you for your time. I want to encourage you to keep fighting for change because "Ain't No Stopping Us Now!" We are the agents of change.
Credits
References:
AARP. (2023). Help Feed a Family in Need. AARP. https://createthegood.aarp.org/volunteer-guides/feed-a-family.html
City of New York. (2022). Mayor Adams Unveils. The Official Website of the City of New York. https://www.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/893-22/mayor-adams-get-stu…
CNN Business. (2015, June 22). Feeding a family on a food stamp budget. Www.youtube.com. https://youtu.be/OXKkakwf6Vk?si=KiXcXArnOYBz61mo
Dawson, B. (2023). The State of America’s Children 2020 - Housing and Homelessness. Children’s Defense Fund. https://www.childrensdefense.org/policy/resources/soac-2020-housing/#:~…
Horn-Muller, A. (2023, May 2). Nonprofit grocery stores rehab America’s food deserts. AXIOS. https://www.axios.com/2023/05/02/nonprofit-grocery-stores-rehab-america…
Ideastream Public Media. (2013, February 22). Be Well: Obesity - Poverty and Food Deserts (6 of 6). Www.youtube.com. https://youtu.be/kfC62AcJXgc?si=rUYW_ily5A0HcNJs
Kriss, R. (2023, June 2). 10 Grants for Nonprofits: How to Get Free Funding in 2023. NerdWallet. https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/small-business/grants-for-nonprofits
Pattath, P. (2022). Social Determinants of Diabetes in Hampton Roads, Virginia. Virginia Journal of Public Health, 6(1). https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/vjph/vol6/iss1/6/
Thomas, M. M. C., Miller, D. P., & Morrissey, T. W. (2019). Food Insecurity and Child Health. Pediatrics, 144(4), e20190397. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2019-0397
Walter, C. (2023). Strategic Plans. City Virginia Beach Housing & Neighborhood Preservation. https://housing.virginiabeach.gov/about-us/strategic-plans