COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION: BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

 

As our economy is struggling to regain its strength, American communities face increasing pressure to address complex social issues, specifically poverty and unemployment. Politicians and community leaders are seeking a variety of solutions such as building expensive condominiums, tearing down housing projects, and attracting major sporting events. While improving the aesthetic appearance of an area, these forms of gentrification tend to simply displace poverty rather than address the root of the problem. This is especially true in the state of Michigan, but we are not alone in this struggle. In order to create sustainable change, we need to move forward with a holistic approach to community revitalization that will provide the level of safety, comfort, and independence every American deserves. 

 

One major obstacle to achieving this goal is the lack of affordable housing in the United States. Affordable housing is generally defined as requiring no more than 30 percent of a household’s annual income. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, an estimated 12 million renters and homeowners now spend in excess of 50 percent of their annual household income on housing expenses. This significant hardship for low-income households also prevents them from meeting other basic needs such as food, clothing, childcare, transportation, and healthcare. Research shows that permanent affordable housing supports stable, healthy, and prosperous communities, leading to increased investment, stabilizing property values, and improving social conditions.

 

Developing affordable housing alternatives in distressed communities is an essential first step toward revitalization; however, it is only one part of the equation for healthy communities. The creation and retention of jobs also plays a crucial role in revitalization along with beautification efforts such as blight removal, the development of vacant lots, community gardening, and artwork displays. Additionally, public spaces such as community centers, parks, and recreational facilities provide important gathering spaces for socializing and community organizing.

 

The issues of affordable housing and community development have been the focus of my volunteer efforts over the past eight years. I am a strong supporter of Habitat for Humanity and have worked on 17 different homes across Michigan, Kentucky, Florida, and Costa Rica.  In 2003, I spent four weeks living in the city of Detroit as part of an intensive internship with Detroit Summer, a community-building organization. I have also served as a spokesperson for Rebuilding Together, and had the privilege of traveling to New Orleans to aid in the Katrina relief effort. Most recently, I helped lead the effort to create Google Cares A2 to address the needs of local communities and streamline community service efforts within our office. These experiences have exposed me to a breadth of social issues and have given me a wealth of personal stories that I can use to inspire others to take action in their own communities.

My ultimate goal as a participant in the Miss America Program is to highlight forward-thinking and sustainable solutions to the issues of affordable housing and community development. I want to use the title of Miss Michigan to promote the concept of microfinance, the practice of providing small loans to poorer individuals and struggling businesses, and discuss its viability with individuals and organizations that could implement this model in local communities. I also plan to support the 21^st Century Jobs Fund by promoting the Governor's campaign, “Michigan Has the Upper Hand”.

I think the American public tends to view the Miss America program as idealistic, which makes it difficult for participants to relate to very people we intends to serve. I want to use this platform as an opportunity to brand Miss Michigan as a civil servant and appeal to the average American by addressing issues that affect us all. Need will inevitably vary by location, but the benefits of revitalization efforts extend to every American. The health of our nation and the future of our economy will depend on our ability to take care of our own citizens, and I’m ready to help lead this effort.