Neighborhood Assessments: Actual vs Perceived changes in 3 U.S. Cities with Public Housing

For residents of public housing, who are disproportionately affected with poor health outcomes, neighborhood assessments help determine how elements such as food deserts, neighborhood changes, and public policy combine to impact a community.  We conducted an environmental assessment at three public housing sites to determine potential assets and liabilities within each neighborhood.

The USDA's Food Access Research Atlas allowed us to assess supermarket accessibility/ food access within three public housing communities in Baltimore, MD; Washington, DC Ward 8; and Alexandria, VA. A low-tech environmental scan of public housing located within 3 U.S. cities was conducted to examine a broad range of issues covering social, economic, technological and other trends. This information was gathered both quantitatively and qualitatively by conducting surveys, document content analysis, interviews, and site visits. Interviews were conducted to record actual accounts of community member’s perceptions and thoughts about their neighborhood.  Neighborhoods that housed residents of public housing were selected for interviews. A hand-held camera was used to capture interviews and participants were randomly chosen. Standard questions were asked during the interview and included: length of time in the community, how the community has changed over the years, and what are best features or qualities of their community. This assessment will identify features of these communities economic, built, social, and nutritional environment that give them their distinct “personality.”