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Home My WebLink AboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 07/22/2014 - SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY DEPARTMENT STRATEGYDATE: STAFF: July 22, 2014 Mary Atchison, Director of Social Sustainability Bruce Hendee, Chief Sustainability Officer WORK SESSION ITEM City Council SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION Social Sustainability Department Strategy. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY As a relatively new department within the City, Social Sustainability has an obligation to define its role within the City structure and the community at large. The attached Strategy draft is presented to Council for discussion and feedback. The Gaps Analysis, presented to Council in May, led staff to identify gaps in our community’s social systems that have translated into strategic focus areas for the next three to five years. Staff believes that by focusing on these areas our community will have healthier social systems so that the people in our community can thrive. The areas of focus for the Social Sustainability strategy are:  Housing  Community Health and Wellness  Income Disparity  Mobility While these are needs for all community members, the Department of Social Sustainability will particularly be working on ensuring systems that promote equity and social justice and improve the lives of disadvantaged populations so that all in the community have opportunities to achieve their potential. The Social Sustainability Department recognizes that it will not necessarily take the lead in all areas of this Strategy. Rather, staff has identified a range of actions the Department can take with others to ensure the accomplishment of each strategy. They are:  Funding  Policies and Regulations  Internal Alignment  Advocacy and Engagement  Partnerships. GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED 1. Are there any strategies or actions missing for each of the four focus areas that Council feels the Department of Social Sustainability should consider? 2. Are there any strategies or actions in which the City should not be involved? BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION The Department of Social Sustainability was formed in early 2012 by splitting the Advanced Planning Department and moving the Affordable Housing function and City Competitive Process into the new department. While those July 22, 2014 Page 2 functions already existed, it was generally recognized that this new department had more potential to more generally impact and inform the City’s focus on the triple-bottom line approach. In an effort to better define the role of the Department a Gaps Analysis was conducted in late 2013. This Gaps Analysis explored the community needs that exist in the following areas:  Housing  Homelessness  Persons living in poverty  Health and Wellness  At-risk youth and education  Diversity and Equity  Targeted Populations (Persons with Disabilities, Seniors, Victims of Domestic Violence) Gaps between the level of need in the community and the capacity to address the need were identified in multiple areas. It was identified that some populations in our community are more likely to have greater needs than others or more of a challenge in meeting their needs on their own. In addition, the Gaps Analysis found that some portions of our community are at a disproportionate disadvantage. It became clear that systems that impact all individuals in our community are those upon which Social Sustainability should focus as a way to ensure that all our citizens are able to meet their basic needs. This seems like the most appropriate place to begin for a new social sustainability emphasis by the City. We believe it is prudent to approach these systems with a targeted emphasis on struggling or disadvantaged populations, and through the comprehensive lens of equity and social justice. This Strategy was developed by staff and was deeply informed by the broad outreach conducted in the development of the Gaps Analysis. During our Work Session with City Council in May 2014, staff and Council confirmed the four major areas that incorporate needs that are basic to all citizens, but which were identified as having gaps. Once the major areas were confirmed, staff developed a set of possible strategies and actions that can be taken to strengthen these systems and fill the identified gaps. The areas of focus for the Social Sustainability strategy are:  Housing  Community Health and Wellness  Income Inequality  Mobility It is important to ensure that the areas of focus and the strategies of Social Sustainability align with actions and goals of other City Departments. Therefore, these strategies and actions were reviewed by topic area experts in and outside of the City organizations, including Transfort, Planning, Development and Transportation, Social Sustainability housing experts, and CanDo from University of Colorado Health. They were also reviewed for a triple-bottom line focus by the leadership of the Sustainability Service Area. During the planning process staff recognized that the Social Sustainability Department will support the goals within this strategy through varying actions. The methods through which we will work toward accomplishing our goals will be in the following categories:  Public Investment—funding through the City’s Competitive Process  Policies and Regulation—proposing changes in City policy or our regulations  Internal Alignment—ensuing that all City departments are working together and aligned in our goals and activities  Advocacy and Engagement—working with partners to educate the community about the importance of various issues or activities in creating a socially sustainable community.  Partnership—working alongside other organizations and entities in the community July 22, 2014 Page 3 Social Sustainability can be all-encompassing in the possible topic areas that can be considered; as such, the approach taken in developing this Strategy is to identify four key focus areas as the priority topics on which to concentrate over the next few years. This Strategy will assist the Department in prioritizing activities and projects to allow focus on the identified issues. The attached strategy (Attachment 1) is a working draft, and it is being brought to Council for input prior to completion and prior to vetting of the Strategy with the community. The draft Strategy document that is attached is intended to be a succinct product that is readily understood and used by Department staff as well as others in the community. Each of the 4 focus areas are organized as follows: Our Challenges: a summary of the key issues and opportunities that face the community. This material was largely drawn from the information gathered during the Gaps Analysis. The City’s Role: an identification of the role that the city plays in addressing the focus topic area. Our Vision: a vision statement for each focus topic area. Goals, Strategies and Actions: outcome-based steps to be taken by the City and its partners towards achieving the vision. Metrics and Outcomes: a preliminary identification of the metrics that will be used to track our progress, as well as the desired outcome. ATTACHMENTS 1. Social Sustainability Strategic Plan (PDF) 2. Powerpoint presentation (PDF) Fort Collins Social Sustainability HOUSING | COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLNESS | INCOME DISPARITY | MOBILITY Strategic Plan What is Social Sustainability? Social sustainability is the practice of ensuring healthy social systems so that people in our community can thrive. We do this through programs, policies and part- nerships that provide equity and opportunities for all. Purpose of this Strategy This Social Sustainability Strategy articulates a social sus- tainability vision and long-term sustainability goals for Fort Collins in four key areas: Housing, Community Well- ness and Health, Income Disparity, and Mobility. These focus areas evolved from a Social Sustainability Gaps Analysis prepared for the city in 2014. This Strategy pro- poses initiatives for the City and other community and governmental organizations, acting within their respec- tive mandates or in collaboration, to move Fort Collins Fort Collins Social Sustainability HOUSING | COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLNESS | INCOME DISPARITY | MOBILITY Strategic Plan DRAFT tive mandates or in collaboration, to move Fort Collins toward that vision and those goals. The Strategy will guide actions of the City’s newly formed Social Sustain- ability Department over approximately the next ﬁve years. Together with the Economic Health Strategy, to be updat- ed in 2014, and the Environmental Sustainability Strategy, the Social Sustainability Strategy will provide a founda- tion for the continued strengthening of the city’s overall well-being and long term sustainability. A Focus on Equity and Justice One of the city’s greatest challenges is providing access to the services and opportunities needed for residents of all ages, abilities, and economic means to improve their circumstances and realize their full potential. In general terms, this means making sure that people who need them have the ability to take advantage of the full range of community services—health care, education, job training, social services, recreation, and public transpor- tation. It includes the need for access to what is needed for residents to lead better lives and contribute their best – decent employment, a healthy built and natural envi- ronment, arts and culture, and participation in civic life, to name a few. It also implies access to the information that will make much of this possible – for example, infor- mation about health and wellness, about travel choices, and about housing options. In all these instances, the important issue is access: removing the barriers that prevent access and the opportunities provided for them to take advantage of it. While a socially sustainable community ensures that our systems work for all our residents, we are particularly focusing on social systems that ensure equity and social justice and improve the lives of disadvantaged populations so that all in the community, regardless of their experiences and circum- stances, can achieve their potential. 2 City of Fort Collins Social Sustainability DRAFT housing. DRAFT Our Challenges A housing market is considered to be socially sustainable if it is characterized by both equity and diversity—that is, if it provides opportunities for all residents and oﬀers housing options that accommodate a diverse set of incomes, preferences and life stages. Fort Collins has implemented many outstanding programs to address housing needs, yet rising housing prices, driven by high demand for living in the city, has made it challenging to keep up with those needs. In order to ensure a successful future, Fort Collins needs a wider range of and additional housing that meets the needs of diﬀerent households and economic groups. Lack of aﬀordable housing aﬀects a signiﬁcant portion of our population. Some of our residents are impacted more than most, such as persons experiencing or at-risk of homelessness, persons with disabilities and seniors, and persons earning low wages and living in poverty. Increasingly, housing availability and aﬀordability is also becoming a problem for the community’s workforce and middle class, aﬀecting our economic vitality as well as social well-being. Our Vision Provide safe and decent housing for all economic segments of the community by aligning housing inventory with community needs. Our Role The City plays an important role in facilitating the supply of housing, including allocating local, state, and federal funding to housing agencies; setting policies and regulations; and coordinating with housing suppliers. The City can: 1. Ensure that its policies, land use regulations, and other activities are aligned to mitigate the imbalance of our housing supply with the community’s needs 2. Address the challenges of our homeless popula tion 3. Work with housing developers to ensure that there is an adequate supply of land, particularly for workforce and aﬀordable housing 4. Help its partners meet the changing needs of our senior population. 4 City of Fort Collins Social Sustainability housing. community health and wellness. income disparity. mobility. DRAFT HOU$ING 59% of renters in Fort Collins are COST-BURDENED 28% of home-owners in Fort Collins are COST-BURDENED* * in Fort Collins are higher than in Colorado as a whole. MEDIAN INCOME in Fort Collins is lower than Colorado as a whole. MEDIAN HOUSING COSTS ARE 33% IN FAMILY HOUSEHOLDS OF PERSONS MOST HOMELESS FAMILIES ARE SINGLE MOTHERS UNDER AGE 30 16% OF HOMELESS THE MOST VISIBLE, VULNERABLE, AND COSTLY FORM OF HOMELESSNESS. IN FORT COLLINS ARE CHRONICALLY HOMELESS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS A housing market is considered to be SOCIALLY SUSTAINABLE if it is characterized by both EQUITY and DIVERSITY- that is, if it provides opportunities for all residents and oﬀers housing options that accommodate a DIVERSE SET OF INCOMES, PREFERENCES AND LIFE STAGES. AFFORDABILITY HOMELESSNESS victims of domestic violence children families unsheltered families severely mentally ill mentally ill parolees/ formerly incarcerated 36% 20% 6% 50% 87% 8% number of homeless residents housing 35% 20% 250-500 DRAFT 8.9% 14% 19.3% 1000+ 39% 35% 19% 69% 8% 50% 33% 14% MEDIAN RENT MEDIAN HOUSE VALUE 2000 2012 In Fort Collins, it is diﬃcult to purchase a home until a household earns an annual income of $75,000 * * COST-BURDENED: when housing or rental costs ar e greater than 30% of pre-taxed income. $11,490 105% increase (families living in poverty) 72% (individuals increase living in poverty) 27,homeless 225+ individuals in Fort Collins $15,510 $19,530 $23,550 $27,570 $31,590 75%POPULATION HOMELESS 18% 7% AGE 18-24 24 AND OLDER POVERTY 8.9% of Fort Collins families live in poverty (2,898 families) 14% of children in Fort Collins live in poverty 19.3% of individuals lived in poverty (27,225 individuals) FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL under age 18 VULNERABLE POPULATIONS POVERTY male veterans female veterans chronically homeless families chronically homeless 8% 1% 0.5% 19% 6 0 Strategies: Actions: 1a 1b INCREASE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR HOME- LESS/AT-RISK PERSONS ACROSS 1. Partner with Matthews House Host Home program 1c 2. Education and outreach to families/homes 1. Support housing projects that retroﬁt units for accessibility 2. Fund program to match disabled persons with appropriate units 1. Prioritize as criteria for funding for new projects 2. Educate developers of best practices 3. Use this as a criteria for funding requests for rehabilitation projects 1. Provide funding to support Point in Time Surveys 2. Recruit City staﬀ to participate as volunteers 1. Fund programs that support the reduction of homelessness 2. Support the development of more permanent supportive housing 3. Participate on Homeward 2020 committees and workgroups 4. Align City eﬀorts to reduce homelessness with Homeward 2020’s activities 5. Support implementation of IDIS System INCREASE THE SUPPLY AND AVAILABILITY OF HOUSING FOR DISABLED PERSONS REDUCE THE NUMBER OF CHRONICALLY HOMELESS PERSONS 1. Increase the supply of wheelchair accessible units 2. Increase the supply of visitable housing designed in such a way that it can be visited by people with mobility issues housing. community health and wellness. income disparity. mobility. METRICS: • # of visitable units funded, both new and rehabilitated • # of matches made for people with need for accessible units OUTCOME: • Reduced number of disabled persons who are in need of accessible housing 1. Support and participate in the Point in Time Surveys 2. Work closely with Homeward 2020 to accomplish their goal of making homelessness rare, short-lived, and nonrecurring METRICS: • # of homeless persons (PIT Count) 8 City of Fort Collins Social Sustainability PERSONS ACROSS THE ENTIRE SPECTRUM OF NEED (EMERGENCY, TRANSITIONAL, EMANCIPATED YOUTH, ETC.) INCREASE THE SUPPLY OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING 1. Increase tenant-based rent assistance 2. Increase ﬁrst and last month’s rent assistance 3. Fund supportive services and transitional counseling programs 1. Facilitate dialogue about the challenges of ex-oﬀenders 2. Explore partnerships with Community Corrections 3. Education program for landlords 1. Explore a dedicated local funding source for aﬀordable housing 2. Focus funding on priority areas 3. Revise and improve housing waiver policies 1. Make this housing a funding priority 2. Revise and improve housing waiver policies 3. Strengthen incentive policies 4. Develop a voluntary landlord partner program 1. Assess current value of properties 2. Consider and plan best use of each property 1. Preserve mobile home park and manufactured home opportunities 2. Fund acquisition, preservation, and rehabilitation of existing inventory 1c 1d 2. Provide funding for supportive housing projects and programs for housing transition 3. Housing for ex-oﬀenders METRICS: • # of landlords willing to house ex-oﬀenders • # of individuals and families successfully transitioned to permanent housing OUTCOME: • Fewer homeless individuals and families in Fort Collins 1. Create policies that ensure housing choices for persons of all ages, life stages, and aﬀordability 2. Increase the number of aﬀordable rental units for persons/ families earning under $25,000 per year 3. Activate the Land Bank Program 4. Preserve existing aﬀordable housing inventory METRICS: • # of cost-burdened renters Strategies: Actions: 1e 1f 1. Strengthen Homebuyers Assistance Program 2. Create fee waivers and incentives for building entry-level homes 3. Explore land use code changes to encourage accessory dwelling units 1. Investigate Aﬀordable Home ownership communities on the land bank properties INCREASE THE SUPPLY OF WORKFORCE HOUSING MEET THE HOUSING NEEDS OF OUR DIVERSE AND GROWING SENIOR POPULATION 1. Increase home ownership opportunities 2. Land Bank Program housing. community health and wellness. income disparity. mobility. METRICS: • # of homes aﬀordable to families and individuals at 80-120% of AMI OUTCOME: • More people able to live and work in Fort Collins • Fewer people commuting to work from outside the city 1. Increase the supply of housing suitable for seniors 2. Reduce barriers for seniors in current housing stock 1. Add ranking criteria for funding senior housing projects 2. Fund partners to construct, acquire or rehabilitate housing suitable for seniors 1. Work to allow children in senior facilities 2. Implement senior extra occupancy rental permit program METRICS: • % of seniors cost-burdened by their housing in Fort Collins OUTCOME: • Fewer seniors cost-burdened by their housing PR PR PR ? F F A PR Goals: Strategies: Actions: Type: DRAFT 10 City of Fort Collins Social Sustainability F Funding PR Policies and Regulations IA Internal Alignment AE Advocacy and Engagement P Partnership DRAFT community health and wellness. DRAFT Our Challenges The way in which we live inﬂuences our health in many ways—whether the choice of walking versus driving, the mix of uses in our neighborhoods, the ability to engage in community activities, or the accessibility of healthy food options. The City generally has a healthy, active population and has a strong infrastructure for physi- cal education and recreation—yet growing obesity rates among the City’s youth and others reinforce a need to integrate more physical activity into daily life. The overall health of our community – including mental health, a growing problem – is important to all segments of our population. Our Vision A city where healthy lifestyles are practiced, supported by abundant opportunities for physical activity, access to healthy food, and access to health care and services. Our Role While the City does not play a direct role in providing services related to health and wellness, it can reinforce opportunities for active living and support eﬀorts of community partners in a signiﬁcant way. The City can: 1. Support opportunities to grow healthy foods locally 2. Promote overall physical health through access to health care services, including mental health 3. Ensure that its policies, land use regulations, and other activities support healthy lifestyles by promot- ing opportunities for bicycling and walking as mean- ingful modes of travel. 12 City of Fort Collins Social Sustainability housing. community health and wellness. income disparity. mobility. DRAFT HOU$ING 15% of adults in Fort Collins are OVERWEIGHT/OBESE of children Unemployment Disability Risk of Suicide Substance Use Disorders Homelessness Strain on Law Enf0rcement and Emergency Response Costs of Untreated Mental Health Needs are often linked to other related diseases such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, strokes, and arthritis, and can serve as a good proxy for a quick measure of overall health of a population OBESITY RATES OBESITY community health and wellness HEALTH is the state of physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or inﬁrmity. WELLNESS is a process through which people become aware of and make choices toward a more successful existence. MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS 3,200 CHILDREN 800 ADOLESCENTS 2,700 ADULTS 6500 ADULTS & 1500 TEENS SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS IN FORT COLLINS SUFFER FROM CONSEQUENTLY, 22.PER 100,5 SUICIDES 000 RESIDENTS THERE ARE MENTAL ILLNESS HEALTH RISKS OCCURING IN FORT COLLINS Obesity STI/HIV/AIDS Mental Illness Suicides Substance Abuse DRAFT 31% of children in Fort Collins are OVERWEIGHT/OBESE OVERWEIGHT OBESE (by age) HEALTH INSURANCE 90% of Fort Collins residents have health insurance 28,914 residents in Fort Collins have Medicare or Medicaid 53% growth in adult Medicaid participation since 2010 0 2000 4000 6000 8000 18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+ 65% of hispanics in the region are overweight 25% are obese CHLAMYDIA GONORRHEA HIV/AIDS Services SYPHILIS 14% 5.8% CASES BY YEAR OF COLORADO HOUSEHOLDS HAVE LOW FOOD SECURITY OF COLORADO HOUSEHOLDS HAVE VERY LOW FOOD SECURITY OTHER FACTORS 0 200 400 600 800 1000 FOOD INSECURITY MOST LIKELY TO BE FOOD INSECURE: Single parents with children, African American and Hispanic and living at 185% below the poverty level or less 8,200 (14%) households in Fort Collins are food insecure ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD 89% of Fort Collins food outlets Strategies: Actions: 2a 2b PROMOTE MENTAL HEALTH AND ASSIST PERSONS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS TO LEAD MORE PRODUCTIVE AND AUTONOMOUS LIVES 1. Provide funding to support programs that work towards suicide prevention, education, and awareness 2. Educate business community about suicide prevention through Chamber of Commerce and Social Superstars 3. Partner with local health care organizations to implement a public education campaign raising awareness of warning signs 1. Improve City ranking for LGBT acceptance based on standards created by the Human Rights Campaign. 1. Fund local food programs that encourage local gardening among various neighborhoods and varying demographics 2. Explore the implementation of CSA ‘subsidies’ for people on food stamps 3. Encourage acceptance of food stamps by all Fort Collins farm- er’s markets 4. Explore zoning regulations to more strongly encourage small scale farming 5. Partner with Gardens on Spring Creek for programming and ongoing development of local foods 1. Work to ﬁll gaps in local food distribution system 2. Support development of mobile farmers markets 1. Partner with CanDo to develop and implement policy adoption at local businesses and institutions 2. Partner with CanDo to develop ways to connect businesses and institutions to local food distribution systems INCREASE ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOODS 2. Address food deserts 1. Strengthen local food system housing. community health and wellness. income equality. mobility. METRICS: • # of businesses and institutions that use locally produced foods • # of community gardens in parks and neighborhoods OUTCOME: • Every individual and family has access to local healthy foods • Lower rate of obesity in Fort Collins overall, particularly children 1. Support suicide prevention, education, & awareness 2. Increase community acceptance for special F A A PR P ? ? P P 16 City of Fort Collins Social Sustainability created by the Human Rights Campaign. 2. Work to become designated an Age-Friendly City 3. Adopt an equity and social justice policy that establishes a clear commitment to equity in local government decision-making, activities, and investments 4. Promote events and programs that recognize and celebrate social and cultural diversity in the community 1. Fund programs that provide mental health care for people with low income and special populations 2. Partner with local organizations to ensure 24/7 availability of mental health care and treatment 3. Support continuity of mental health care and medication for people leaving hospitals and jail 4. Support development of halfway housing or permanent support- ive housing for mentally ill ‘frequent ﬂiers’ 5. Partner with other institutions to create a residential treatment facility for women with drug and alcohol addictions 1. Partner with Chamber and Social Superstars to educate the Fort Collins work force on signs of and management of stress 2. Develop an education campaign about mental illness and substance abuse (public, families, schools, employers) acceptance for special populations 3. Increase level of availability of mental health services 4. Increase awareness/ acceptance of mental health and mental illness among the general population METRICS: • Wait times for seeing mental health care provider • Number of mentally ill homeless people in Fort Collins OUTCOME: • Lower suicide rate over time • Lower incidence of drug and alcohol abuse PA PR PR A F P A A P A A F Funding PR Policies and Regulations IA Internal Alignment AE Advocacy and Engagement P Partnership P P DRAFT Strategies: Actions: 2c 1. Educational program for low income households to encourage use of existing recreation programs and services 2. Centralize information about all City-oﬀered programs and resourc - es for low income residents 1. Encourage and support the development of sidewalks throughout the community 2. Support the implementation of a bike share program 3. Partner with Neighborhood Services to convene focus groups to understand how to encourage and create safe access and neigh- borhood support for their local parks 1. Support or fund options and aﬀordability for home health care 2. Support or fund coordination of discharge planning from hospi- tals and other health care organizations, as well as jails 1. Help Healthy Sustainable Homes (HSH) identify opportunities to reach vulnerable populations related to interior air quality 2. Provide connections to agency partners about preparing homes to be resilient to extreme conditions INCREASE OVERALL LEVELS OF PHYSICAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING 2. Continue to build pedestrian, park, and bicycle facilities throughout the city 1. Increase overall level of physical activity in the community housing. community health and wellness. income equality. mobility. A A A A P A P P Goals: Strategies: Actions: Type: 3. Encourage networks to meet temporary/long term needs for health care METRICS: • Percentage of the population engaging in a half-hour or more of physical activity several days per week OUTCOME: • Reduced obesity rates in Fort Collins • Reduced obesity rates in Fort Collins children 4. Reduce physical impacts of climate change to underserved or vulnerable populations I F F A DRAFT 18 City of Fort Collins Social Sustainability P F Funding PR Policies and Regulations IA Internal Alignment AE Advocacy and Engagement P Partnership P DRAFT income disparity. DRAFT Our Challenges Income disparity is a growing social problem in our community. It can exclude many from seeking opportunities to achieve prosperity. Nearly 20 percent of the community lives in poverty, and over half of those in poverty are employed. For those not working or working in low wage jobs, there is a growing income disparity between them and others employed in higher-paying sectors. Although the vast majority of residents in Fort Collins have strong economic situations, these low income residents struggle to make ends meet. This impacts their ability to meet many of their primary needs such as housing, transportation, child care, health care, and others. Our Vision Increase access to opportunities by ensuring that all segments of the community have equal economic and social opportunities to improve their quality of life. Our Role The City can play an important role in removing barriers and increas- ing access to opportunities by: 1. Working to increase opportunities for workforce development and education 2. Helping to remove barriers to employment, particularly for persons with disabilities and seniors 3. Supporting eﬀorts of the City’s Economic Health team to expand employment opportunities. 20 City of Fort Collins Social Sustainability housing. community health and wellness. income disparity. mobility. DRAFT 19% of Fort Collins residents are poor 9% of Fort Collins families are poor 36% OF SINGLE MOTHERS 58% OF RESIDENTS LIVE IN POVERTY, BECAUSE OF THE HIGH STUDENT POPULATION IN FORT COLLINS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 18-24 IN LIVE FORT IN POVERTY COLLINS The SUSTAINABILITY OF DIVERSITY AND EQUITY in the City explores a wide variety of indicators in the community, speciﬁcally those related to race/ethnicity, gender, religion, culture and sexual orientation and is committed to the eradication of prejudice and harmful discrimination against any person. POVERTY income disparity 10000 15000 20000 25000 5 years 6 to 11 years 12 to 14 years 15 years 16 and 17 years 18 to 24 years 25 to 34 years 16.3% 25.1% 9.0% 57.5% 14.9% 6.1% Under 5 years 3.0% 12.7% 13.9% 18% OF SINGLE FATHERS 15% OF FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN POVERTY TRENDS DRAFT 38% 27% 17% 16% 36% 19% 69% 8% 50% 33% 14% 55% POVERTY BY RACE/ETHNICITY 38% of African Americans in Fort Collins live below poverty 27% of Hispanics live below poverty 17% of Caucasians live below poverty EMPLOYMENT ECONOMIC DIVERSITY SENIORS ??% ??% ??% STUDENTS ??% ??% ??% DISABLED 47% of Fort Collins residents with disabilities are employed 16% are unemployed 36% are not in the labor force 0 5000 1999 2005 2008 2010 2011 2012 35 to 44 years 45 to 54 years 55 to 64 years 65 to 74 years 6.1% 8.6% 7.8% 2.1% 75 years 5.and 1% over BETWEEN 1999-2012 # DOUBLED # GREWPOVERTY OF OF POVERTY-INDIVIDUALS BY LEVEL IN FAMILIES 72% 47% 1,13% 881 CHILDREN UNDER AGE 5 OF CHILDREN 1,825 CHILDREN AGES 5-17 IN FORT COLLINS LIVE IN POVERTY OF PERSONS LIVING IN POVERTY WORK 22 City of Fort Collins Social Sustainability NON-HISPANIC WHITE BLACK OR AFRICAN Strategies: Actions: 3a 3b 1. Partner with the Larimer County Workforce Center to enhance their activities 2. Partner with Poudre School District to enhance programs that support transitions into the workforce 3. Work with the Economic Health Oﬃce in their eﬀorts to identify and support identiﬁcation of workforce needs and training 1. Provide Bridges out of Poverty trainings for businesses 2. Partner with Social Superstars to encourage socially sustainable employment practices 3. Develop a felon-friendly employer network 4. Partner with Hand-Up Cooperative to expand the homeless-friendly employer network EXPAND OPPORTUNITIES TO DEVELOP NEEDED SKILLS, EDUCATION, AND RESOURCES FOR PERSONS NOT WORKFORCE- READY REMOVE/REDUCE BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT 1. Increase opportunities for access to higher education and vocational training, with particular emphasis on underserved and disadvantaged populations. housing. community health and wellness. income disparity. mobility. 2. Increase access to aﬀordable child care 2. Partner with employers to increase opportunities for workforce development METRICS: • # of individuals participating in training and re-training programs • # of employers participating in social sustainability activities OUTCOME: • Reduce number of un- and under-employed persons 1. Support and encourage programs that emphasize work- force retraining, with particular emphasis on persons employed in low-paying or obsolete jobs 1. Partner with nonproﬁt agencies to expand the reach of work- force retraining programs to underserved or challenged popula- tions 1. Support summer and low income child care programs 2. Provide employer education on the need to be ﬂexible about child care needs. 3. Explore enhancing CCAP subsidies through vouchers and 24 City of Fort Collins Social Sustainability 3. Increase opportunities for disabled and senior persons in the workforce 4. Support programs to help working persons preserve, support, and stabilize their families METRICS: • % of disabled in the Fort Collins work force • % of seniors in the Fort Collins work force • % of families with children under the age of 5 years in poverty OUTCOME: • Reduction in the rate of poverty for seniors, the disabled, and young families. in various location throughout the community 5. Explore programs to mitigate the child care ‘cliﬀ eﬀect’ 1. Educate employers about the beneﬁts of disabled and senior workers 2. Develop a City of Fort Collins internship program for disabled and senior workers 1. Support ﬁnancial literacy programs 2. Educate employers about WorkLife’s Navigator Program and support its implementation 3. Support and administer the Homebuyer’s Assistance Program F A A PR PR A A F A PR F Funding PR Policies and Regulations IA Internal Alignment AE Advocacy and Engagement P Partnership DRAFT mobility. DRAFT Our Challenges Our transportation system has a profound inﬂuence on social sustainability and community livability. Availability of transit impacts the quality of life of persons with disabilities and other transit-dependent individuals, and hampers their full participation in the community. Access to employment, housing, medical services, shopping, and recreation become very limited without transit or other public transportation for our residents who do not drive cars. . As our population ages, of necessity many in the community will become less able to rely on cars for daily needs, and our transportation system will need to evolve to meet these changing needs. Our Vision Provide a connected, safe, and eﬃcient transportation system that provides multiple modes of travel for people of all ages and abilities that support a healthy lifestyle. Our Role Along with its local, state, and Federal partners, the City has primary responsibility for the transportation system that serves Fort Collins. The City can: 1. Ensure that the transportation system is designed to maximize access for all in the community to places of work, education, health care, shopping, and recreation. 2. Support modes of travel that promote healthy, active living. 26 City of Fort Collins Social Sustainability housing. community health and wellness. income equality. mobility. DRAFT HOU$ING men are twice as likely to commute 11th by bike than women Transfort % Change from Previous Year peaked in 2009 with 7.9% participation. and has since reduced to 6.4% participation BICYCLE COMMUTE MODE SHARE INCREASE 41% IN RIDERSHIP IN MAX MAY TO JUNE IN ITS FIRST TWO MONTHS 49% TRANSFORT FROM 2000 TO 2013 FORT COLLINS INCREASE IN RIDERSHIP FORT COLLINS FROM 62,043 RIDES TO 87,598 FROM 1,545,672 RIDERS TO 2,296,511 The most common barrier of Fort Collins transportation options is lack of PUBLIC TRANSIT on weekday evenings and Sundays , which limits persons with disabilities from taking jobs that require nontraditional hours - in addition to hampering their FULL PARTICIPATION IN THE COMMUNITY. Other considerations include access to medical services, shopping, and recreation for seniors. As our population ages, our transportation system will need to evolve to meet these changing needs. BIKING TRANSPORTATION 2000-2001 2001-2002 2002-2003 2003-2004 2004-2005 2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009 2.23% 4.47% -5.75% -0.12% 10.93% 14.78% 1.06% 4.57% -8.93% mobility DRAFT 188,257 19% 113% Total Annual Crashes total miles of designated bike paths in fort collins 279.5 11th FT COLLINS 2012 America's Top 50 Bike-Friendly Cities STUDENTS 36% of Transfort riders are students 79% increase in Transfort ridership among students between 2000-2013 833,323 students used Transfort in 2013 (bike lanes, shared lanes with marking, routes, paved trails, natural surface trails) Rate per 10,000 population Rate per bicyclist Bicycle-Automobile Crashes ranking 36% 79% 8% 50% 95% 265,796 110,742 5% DIVERSITY WHO RIDES TRANSFORT? 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011 1.06% 6.83% 6.03% GENERAL SENIORS DISABLED YOUTH STUDENTS 2011-2012 5.33% 1.09% 2012-2013 833,323 SENIORS 5% of Transfort riders are seniors 113% increase in Transfort ridership among seniors between 2000-2013 110, 742 seniors used Transfort in 2013 DISABLED 5% of Transfort riders are seniors 95% increase in Transfort ridership among disabled persons Strategies: Actions: 4a REDUCE MOBILITY LIMITATIONS FOR PERSONS WHO CAN’T DRIVE 1. Work to strengthen Dial-A-Ride 2. Provide funding for organizations that provide transportation to seniors and the disabled. 3. Work with PDT to prioritize ADA accessible bus stops 4. Support the provision of sidewalks throughout the City 4b 1. Support dedicated funding source for transit 2. Engage in City Plan/TOD Plan updates to address social equity issues 3. Develop joint BFO oﬀers with other City departments to support increased transportation options for those who do not drive 1. Review Plan Fort Collins and development regulations to ensure that they are aligned with this strategy 2. Review locational criteria and incentives to ensure that they are aligned with this strategy to maximize transit accessibility 1. Support creation of aﬀordable car networks for single parents 2. Support a gasoline voucher system 3. Encourage and support car repair assistance programs 1. Support the continued development of a safe, functional bikeway system/network 2. Ensure that low income individuals are able to access any future bike share program EXPAND AVAILABILITY OF AFFORDABLE TRANSPORTATION OPPORTUNITIES 1. Increase transit service by supporting Transfort’s existing Strategic Plan 2. Support expanded opportunities for aﬀordable housing and employment opportunities along transit corridors housing. community health and wellness. income disparity. mobility. 3. Reduce costs of private automobile ownership for lower-in- come persons/house- holds METRICS: • TBD (with assistance from PDT) OUTCOME: • Transportation is no longer a barrier to participation in employment or quality of life activities. 1. Ensure ADA compliant and safe transit connections and amenities METRICS: • % of City and growth management area covered by Dial-A-Ride 4. Increase bicycle use year-round F 30 City of Fort Collins Social Sustainability METRICS: • % of City and growth management area covered by Dial-A-Ride • % of bus stops across the community that are ADA Accessible • % of City without sidewalks. OUTCOME: • All city residents are able to participate fully in every aspect of the community. F Funding PR Policies and Regulations IA Internal Alignment AE Advocacy and Engagement P Partnership DRAFT 1 SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGY 2 SUSTAINABILITY SERVICES SOCIAL ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENTAL 3 STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS 4 SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY The practice of ensuring healthy social systems so that people in our community can thrive. We do this through: » Funding » Policies and Regulations » Internal Alignment » Advocacy and Engagement » Partnership 5 QUESTIONS FOR COUNCIL • Are there any strategies or actions missing for each of the four focus areas that Council feels the Department of Social Sustainability should consider? • Are there any strategies or actions in which the City should not be involved? 6 FOCUS AREAS Housing Community Health and Wellness Income Disparity Mobility 7 HOUSING OUTCOME Provide safe and decent housing for all economic segments of the community by aligning housing inventory with community needs. 8 HOUSING STRATEGIES • Increase supply and availability of housing for disabled persons • Increase visitable housing stock • Reduce number of chronically homeless • Increase housing for at-risk persons across the spectrum of need • Increase supply of affordable housing • Increase supply of workforce housing (Partners: FCHA, PDT, CARE Housing, Neighbor to Neighbor, Private contractors, HUD, faith community, others.) 9 COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLNESS OUTCOME A city where healthy lifestyles are practiced, supported by abundant opportunities for physical activity, access to healthy food, and access to health care and services. 10 COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLNESS STRATEGIES • Increase access to health food • Promote mental health, and assist persons with mental illness • Increase overall levels of physical health and well being (Partners: Touchstone Health Partners, Larimer County, UC Health, Banner Health, Kaiser Permanente, CanDo, Gardens on Spring Creek, Parks & Recreation Department, others) 11 INCOME DISPARITY OUTCOME Increase access to opportunities by ensuring that all segments of the community have equal economic and social opportunities to improve their quality of life. 12 INCOME DISPARITY STRATEGIES • Expand opportunities to develop needed skills, education, and resources for persons not workforce-ready • Remove/reduce barriers to employment (Partners: Economic Health Department, Chamber of Commerce, Social Superstars, Hand Up Cooperative Program, Larimer County Jail, Larimer County Workforce Center, PSD, Front Range Community College, CSU, others) 13 MOBILITY OUTCOME Provide a connected, safe and efficient transportation system that provides multiple modes of travel for people of all ages and abilities that support a healthy lifestyle. 14 MOBILITY • Expand availability of affordable transportation opportunities • Reduce mobility limitations for persons who can’t drive (Partners: PDT, Transfort, FC Moves, private companies, others) 15 QUESTIONS FOR COUNCIL • Are there any strategies or actions missing for each of the four focus areas that Council feels the Department of Social Sustainability should consider? • Are there any strategies or actions in which the City should not be involved? PR IA PR PR A A A IA A A F A IA ? IA Goals: Strategies: Actions: Type: DRAFT T between 2000-2013 265,796 disabled persons used Transfort in 2013 YOUTH 8% of Transfort riders are youth 50% decrease in Transfort ridership among youth between 2000-2013 188,257 youth used Transfort in 2013 28 City of Fort Collins Social Sustainability 0.030 0.025 0.020 0.015 0.010 0.005 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 2000 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 DRAFT additional subsidy assistance. 4. Explore the feasibility of building City-owned child care centers in various location throughout the community P P P A P PR P F A A F P PR Goals: Strategies: Actions: Type: DRAFT AMERICAN HISPANIC OR LATINO ASIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME DISTRIBUTION BY RACE/ETHNICITY INDIVIDUALS LIVING IN POVERTY FAMILIES LIVING IN POVERTY DRAFT F A A PA Goals: Strategies: Actions: Type: 3. Encourage local businesses and institutions to use locally produced foods P DRAFT are unhealthy 950% more fast food restaurants exist in Fort Collins than health food outlets 8.24 fast food restaurants per 10,000 residents RECREATION AND ACTIVITY 5th (out of 50): ranking of region by American Fitness Index 65% of adults in Larimer County practice physical activity 5 times a week 86% of residents have sidewalks or shoulders in their neighbor- hood to safely walk, run or bike chlamydia 20% 2,700 ADULTS IN FORT COLLINS HAVE MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS THAT GO UNTREATED STI AND HIV/AIDS 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2011-2012 STI INCREASE gonorrhea 34% Food Insecurity: refers to the lack of access to enough food to fully meet basic needs at all times due to lack of financial resources 14 City of Fort Collins Social Sustainability syphilis 400% HIV/AIDS 26% DRAFT OUTCOME: • More residents are able to aﬀord to live and work in Fort Collins F F F A P A F F PR F PR PR A P P A F PR PR PR F Funding PR Policies and Regulations IA Internal Alignment AE Advocacy and Engagement P Partnership DRAFT • # of units of permanent supportive housing built OUTCOME: • Reduced number of chronically homeless persons 1. Encourage Host Homes for youth A F F A F F A F A A P A P A F I Goals: Strategies: Actions: Type: DRAFT 5000 10000 15000 20000 25000 1999 2005 2008 2010 2011 2012 SENIORS 19% of cost-burdened homeownwers are seniors 69% of seniors earn less than $50,000/year 8% own their house free and clear (no mortgage) DISABLED 50% of ADA housing is occupied by non-disabled tenants. 33% of disabled persons live in a house without ADA accessibility 14% of households contain at least one person with a disability HOMELESS 1000+ children are homeless during the school year 39% of homeless residents have mental health indicators 35% of homeless residents are survivors of domestic abuse PERSONS PER HOUSEHOLD INCOME PER HOUSEHOLD City of Fort Collins Social Sustainability DRAFT