Boston Alliance for Community Health

Initiatives and Activities

"When you add us all up, BACH's membership is in the thousands. Some of us are from the neighborhood and some of us are from an organization. We may not always agree on everything, but in the end, we all want the same thing: safe and healthy communities."

News

Nuestra Comunidad Development Corporation

Posted: July 23rd, 2015

David Price discusses social determinants of healthAffordable housing is a proven, effective platform for long-term success for children and families, and has a strong impact on both individual and community health. Not having enough money to pay for housing costs is linked to increased stress levels and many other associated health issues, including chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease. Nuestra Comunidad Development Corporation is working with families living in its more than 700 apartments to improve their health by improving their financial success and housing stability.

Nuestra Comunidad is a nonprofit working in the Roxbury community and nearby Boston neighborhoods for over 34 years on developing high quality affordable and mixed-income rental and homeownership opportunities, financial resiliency, community organizing and economic development. David Price, Executive Director, sits on the Steering Comittee and Chairs the Racial Equity Committee at BACH.

In the Roxbury community, about 30% of families live below the poverty line, 84% rent, while on only 16% own homes. With this new initiative, they are able to help families increase their income, as much as $100 a month through public benefits screening and other financial capabilities counseling, thereby increasing housing stability and improving health outcomes. Staff screen eligibility for 18 separate public benefits covering housing, child well-being, and energy costs. Staff also offer ongoing household budgeting and credit repair counseling.

In addition, Nuestra Comunidad provides a number of food and fitness activities for its residents and neighbors, including healthy cooking classes and Zumba classes. Through Fair Foods, Nuestra Comunidad is able to offer very affordable fruits and vegetables. The organization is also part of Mattapan Food & Fitness and a Mattapan partnership with Walk4Life. Nuestra Comunidad also advocates for “Complete Streets” urban design that promotes walking and public transportation.

For more information about Nuestra Comunidad Developemnt Corporation, please contact David Bresnahan, Director of Resource Development and Marketing, at DBresnahan@nuestracdc.org.