Habitat for Humanity to Explore New Approaches to Revitalizing Neighborhoods
Skip to main content
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
  • Our Vision
    • Our Vision Overview
    • Why Health Equity
    • Focus Areas
    • Measuring RWJF Progress
  • Grants
    • Grants Overview
    • Active Funding Opportunities
    • Awarded Grants
    • Grantee Stories
    • Grant Process
    • Grantee Resources
  • Insights
    • Insights Overview
    • Blog
    • Our Research
    • Advocacy And Policy
  • About RWJF
    • About RWJF Overview
    • Our Guiding Principles
    • How We Work
    • Impact Investments
    • Staff And Trustees
    • Newsroom
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
Find A Grant

    RWJF to Support Habitat for Humanity Study of New Approaches to Revitalizing Neighborhoods

    News Release Jul-17-2018 | 2-min read
    1. About RWJF
    2. Newsroom
    3. RWJF to Support Habitat for Humanity Study of New Approaches to Revitalizing Neighborhoods

    Princeton, N.J.—Habitat for Humanity, with funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), is launching a two-year effort to study the health and quality of life impact of a neighborhood revitalization approach that puts residents in the driver's seat for change, with a focus on six neighborhoods across America.

    The communities involved in the study are in the following cities:

    • Westside neighborhood of Central Berksire, Mass.
    • McComb Veazey neighborhood of Lafayette, La.
    • Washington (Long Beach) neighborhood of Los Angeles
    • 8Twelve neighborhood of Muncie, Ind.
    • Sharswood neighborhood of Philadelphia
    • Larimer neighborhood of Pittsburgh

    As homeowners' needs evolve, Habitat is consistently at the forefront of that change. Habitat's new Quality of Life Framework is a holistic approach to neighborhood revitalization that goes beyond a single home to things like economic opportunity and safety that are critical to the well-being of an entire neighborhood.

    "Habitat for Humanity's expertise in providing safe, secure and affordable housing, coupled with this project's focus on resident leadership and creating the conditions for better health and well-being, position this effort as a promising model for building a Culture of Health in communities across the nation," said Don Schwarz, senior vice president of Program at RWJF.

    Seven years of Neighborhood Revitalization projects across the country have revealed that isolation, mistrust and lack of common identity are roadblocks to long-term change. This new two-year study funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation seeks to collect tangible evidence on how community engagement can overcome these barriers and put resident voices at the forefront of new approaches.

    "As neighborhood aspirations and individual circumstances change, we expect that this type of hands-on collaboration and research will pave the way for smarter long-term strategies," said Rebecca Hix, director of Neighborhood Revitalization, Habitat for Humanity International. "We'll use this time on the ground with residents and community leaders to test and refine our framework while improving the overall quality of life in these neighborhoods."

     

    About Habitat for Humanity

    Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity began in 1976 as a grassroots effort on a community farm in southern Georgia. The Christian housing organization has since grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in local communities across all 50 states in the U.S. and in more than 70 countries. Families and individuals in need of a hand up partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, visit habitat.org.

    About the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

    For more than 40 years the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has worked to improve the health and health care of all Americans. We are striving to build a national culture of health that will enable all Americans to live longer, healthier lives now and for generations to come. For more information, visit www.rwjf.org. Follow the Foundation on Twitter at twitter.com/rwjf or on Facebook at facebook.com/RobertWoodJohnsonFoundation.

    Grantee Story
    A young girl playing on a playground jungle gym.

    RWJF Culture of Health Prize Winner Uses Data-Driven, Block-by-Block Approach to Better Bealth

    In the largest city in northern New England, public officials and private sector leaders have taken a data-driven, block-by-block approach to better health.

    19-min read

    Public and Community Health
    Four healthcare workers pose outside a hospital entrance.

    Learn More About Our Work

    Discover how we're working to prevent illness, promote health, and to bring together different sectors to advance new ways to help people live healthier lives.

    1-min read

    Public and Community Health

    Subscribe to receive Funding Alerts & more

    Explore the latest in reflection and research from subject matter experts at RWJF and our wide network of partners.

    Email address already subscribed. Please check your inbox to manage your subscriptions.

    Subscribed!

    Thank you. You are now subscribed.

    Tell us what type of content you want to receive.

    Be informed with our weekly newsletter updating you with relevant news and research around a Culture of Health, as well as the latest funding opportunities.

    Get funded by RWJF: Receive notifications when new funding opportunities are released.

    Receive monthly updates on RWJF-sponsored research that informs many robust health policy debates on Capitol Hill, covering topics like health equity, improving access to quality healthcare, equitable housing, and more.

    Shop talk for researchers. This monthly newsletter covers research news and opportunities from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

    Sometimes we have news, announcements or opportunities that don't quite fit the subscription parameters above. If you're interested, we'll send you this information under "There's more...". *If you've indicated you are an EU resident, we will only send these communications if you intentionally check this box.

    Yes! I want to tell you more about myself and receive personalized communications in the future.

    Area(s) Of Interest

    Which profession or pursuit best describes you?

    Unsubscribe

    Stop receiving all emails from RWJF

    This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
    +

    SHARE

    • CONTACT RWJF

      50 College Road East

      Princeton, NJ 08540-6614

       

      US Toll Free: (877) 843-7953

      International: +1 (609) 627-6000

    • MANAGE YOUR GRANTS

      MyRWJF Login

      • Twitter link
      • Facebook link
      • LinkedIn link
      • YouTube link

    • Our Vision
      • Our Vision Overview
      • Why Health Equity
      • Focus Areas
      • Measuring RWJF Progress
    • Grants
      • Grants Overview
      • Active Funding Opportunities
      • Awarded Grants
      • Grantee Stories
      • Grant Process
      • Grantee Resources
    • Insights
      • Insights Overview
      • Blog
      • Our Research
      • Advocacy And Policy
    • About RWJF
      • About RWJF Overview
      • Our Guiding Principles
      • How We Work
      • Impact Investments
      • Staff And Trustees
      • Newsroom
      • Careers
      • Contact Us

    ©2001- 

    Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. All Rights Reserved. 

     

    • Manage Email
    • Privacy Statement
    • Terms and Conditions