ABOUT

 

In the Old Hill neighborhood of Springfield, there are high rates of poverty, unemployment, and foreclosures. Furthermore, substandard housing is directly linked to residents’ health conditions. Lack of a grocery store and inadequate green space increase the rates of chronic disease. HAPHousing and its partners capitalized on the resources available in Old Hill, improving the existing structures and expanding those that are successful. Healthy Hill brought together community residents and champions from six sectors: food justice, housing and neighborhood revitalization, youth engagement, job training, public safety, and health. The Healthy Hill Initiative expanded and accelerated several efforts including: housing remediation to address asthma; re-purposing vacant parcels as community green space; establishing community gardens for fresh food; and creating substance abuse prevention coalitions.

Because of BUILD we…

“Launched a 5-year initiative to enhance health in Old Hill and expand on a neighborhood revitalization effort that began 13 years ago.”

Impact

The initiative engaged 300 Old Hill residents in physical activity, healthy living workshops, and advocacy, while building community spirit. They successfully recruited a team of 5 volunteer Resident Health Advocates who involved residents in activities, built social cohesion, and developed other neighborhood leaders. They also had 2 hospital partners which have committed multi-year support to help sustain the initiative.

The Bronx Healthy Buildings Program

The Bronx Healthy Buildings Program
San Pablo Area Revitalization Collaborative

San Pablo Area Revitalization Collaborative
Youth Driven Healthy South Los Angeles

Youth-Driven Healthy South Los Angeles

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