visualizing opportunity: using opportunity mapping to promote equity, engagement and community...

Revive. RenewSoutheastern Council of Foundations 41st Annual MeetingMobile, ALNovember 10th 2010

Presented by:

Jason ReeceSenior ResearcherReece.35@osu.edu

The Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race & Ethnicity The Ohio State University www.kirwaninstitute.org

1

Opportunity Matters: Space, Place, and Life Outcomes

“Opportunity” is a situation or condition that places individuals in a position to be more likely to succeed or excel.

Opportunity structures are critical to opening pathways to success: High-quality education Healthy and safe environment Stable housing Sustainable employment Political empowerment Outlets for wealth-building Positive social networks

2

Mapping Opportunity: A diagnostic tool to understanding our relationship to opportunity

The Kirwan Institute has conducted “opportunity mapping” for states and metropolitan regions across the US Projects in at least a dozen states

○ Full State Analysis: MA, CT, OH○ Regions: Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago, Atlanta,

Baltimore, Washington D.C., Detroit, Austin, Sacramento, Los Angeles, New York, Houston, New Orleans, Jacksonville, Portland OR

Why identify the State of Opportunity?

3

Why Use Mapping?

4

Why are maps so effective? 3 Strong points

○ Communications○ Analysis○ Engagement

Potential Uses○ Looking at Intersections, Needs or Gaps in

Services, Targeting Resources, Communicating, Engaging

Other disciplines and sectors are using multivariate mapping to problem solve Private industry NGO’s (Non Profit Sector)

○ Long history in the environmental field Public sector

○ Local Government○ Federal Government

Example: Mapping Communities of Opportunity & Affordable Housing (Post Katrina)

Indicators to build an opportunity map were identified in consultation with local groups close to the ground

Indicators selected represented five areas of opportunity See indicators to right

Section 8 housing analysis

Efficiency 1-Bdrm 2-Bdrm 3-Bdrm 4-Bdrm 5-Bdrm 6-BdrmLow and Very Low 1 84 309 405 55 10 1Moderate 2 24 111 95 12 5 0High and Very High 2 26 78 55 9 1 1

Num

ber

of U

nits

Unit Type

New Orleans Section 8 Housing Unit Distribution by Neighborhood Type (Number of Units)

Efficiency 1-Bdrm 2-Bdrm 3-Bdrm 4-Bdrm 5-Bdrm 6-BdrmLow and Very Low 20.00% 62.69% 62.05% 72.97% 72.37% 62.50% 50.00%Moderate 40.00% 17.91% 22.29% 17.12% 15.79% 31.25% 0.00%High and Very High 40.00% 19.40% 15.66% 9.91% 11.84% 6.25% 50.00%

Perc

enta

ge o

f Uni

ts

Unit Type

New Orleans Section 8 Housing Unit Distribution by Neighborhood Type (Percentage)

Analysis and Communications

Want to Learn More?Resources & Reference Materials Mapping for Social Justice

The Kirwan Institute Study: ○ Utilizing GIS to Support Advocacy and

Social Justice

More on Opportunity Mapping The Kirwan Institute Reports

○ Communities of Opportunity: A Framework for an Equitable & Sustainable Future

○ The Geography of Opportunity: A Review of Opportunity Mapping Research Initiatives

All Available on-line at: kirwaninstitute.org

11

Want to Learn More?Resources & Reference Materials

Mapping & Advocacy – Two recent articles from Clearinghouse Review Jason Reece and Eric Schultheis. Poverty’s Place:

The Use of Geographic Information Systems in Poverty Advocacy. Clearinghouse Review Journal of Poverty Law and Policy. January-February 2009.

Maya Roy and Jason Reece. Poverty’s Place Revisited: Mapping for Justice & Democratizing Data to Combat Poverty. Clearinghouse Review Journal of Poverty Law and Policy. July/August 2010.

To access, visit Clearinghouse Review at: www.povertylaw.org/clearinghouse-review

12