BHPN November Pulse, the 2-min read that keeps you in the know

November 27, 2024

The CDFI Fund turns 30 as spending cuts loom; the federal government bolsters housing access for Tribal Nations; the CDC’s inaugural plan for rural health sets a glidepath for action; and questions about HUD’s leadership abound.?

Closing the wealth gap: Treasury's plan to expand access to financial products and services is a start to building generational wealth in historically underserved communities while a growing body of research shows that simply writing a will could narrow the racial wealth gap.?

HBCUs driving community development: The ongoing affordable housing crisis has its roots in discriminatory practices such as redlining. But now?Historically Black Colleges and Universities, long known for their intellectual and social contributions to communities of color, are increasingly being seen as engines of community development.?

A deeper struggle: Together, healthcare and community organizations can cut patients’ healthcare costs, connect them with much needed safety-net services such as reliable transportation, healthy food, or financial assistance and strengthen communities. However, doing so at a scale that would change millions of people’s lives means overcoming the long history of discrimination in the U.S.?

Innovating for racial equity: This month, Build Healthy Places Network (BHPN) is proud to announce the five awardees of the Community Innovations for Racial Equity initiative, a program that tackles structural racism and health inequities in disinvested communities. In addition to each receiving a $50,000 grant, these organizations will participate in a collaborative Learning Action Lab, where they will co-develop tools and resources to strengthen their advocacy for equitable community investments. Click here to see the awardees.?

Tribal land restoration movement gains steam: An historic land exchange between the U.S. Forest Service and the Yavapai-Apache Nation will add five square miles of what had been national forest land to the Tribe’s Verde Valley reservation in Arizona. Meanwhile, in California, the coastal conservation group Friends of the Dunes kickstarted the process of transferring a 357-acre property formerly known as the Samoa Dunes and Wetlands Conservation Area back to the Wiyot Tribe.

The costs of Tribal housing: The Wisconsin Native Homeownership Coalition is expanding? Native people’s access to housing with a $200,000 grant from the state. While in California, a far wealthier state, Native Tribes are set to receive more than $91 million from the government to build more Tribal housing.?

Rooting Tribal investment in self-determination: Multi-sector partnerships are important tools for driving change in Tribal communities and successful partnerships are rooted firmly in the principles of Native self-determination. BHPN led a dynamic conversation with Native leaders and their partners about accelerating investments in community infrastructure that improve health outcomes while furthering Tribal communities’ self-determination. If you missed it, don’t worry: you can click here to see the full recording.?

The vital conditions affect mental health too: A lack of affordable housing, access to health and other vital conditions have been proven to negatively impact mental health. And children are particularly at risk.

Thanksgiving isn’t just about turkey, cranberry sauce and holiday travel. It’s a time to celebrate Indigenous people who, despite colonization and genocide, are still a vibrant part of our national story. As we honor Native American Heritage Month, let’s remember that Thanksgiving is what we make it and that we have the power to overcome its painful origins and work together to build a truly inclusive future.