State of equity preliminary findings
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The document discusses the state of equity in Metro Boston, emphasizing the need for equal access to opportunities, diverse housing, improved health access, and accessible transportation by 2030. It highlights current challenges such as income inequality and segregation, which hinder the region's growth and prosperity. Preliminary findings from a report by MAPC will serve as a baseline for tracking progress toward these goals.
State of equity preliminary findings
- 1. What is the State of Equity in Metro Boston? an equitable region, where “all people have full and equal access to opportunities that enable them to attain their full potential” is one featuring a diverse labor force prepared for the region’s knowledge economy; healthy residents and low health care costs; and communities where people of different ages, incomes, races and ethnicities have real options to live, work, learn and play side by side. metrofuture, the region’s plan for growth through the year 2030, directs us to achieve this vision by eliminating unfair, preventable, and systematic differences between groups that not only harm individuals and families, but threaten the vibrancy of our region. The MetroFuture region is one where: • A wider diversity of housing types are built in all of the region’s communities (Goal #16), helping to combat racial/ ethnic and income-based segregation (Goal #15), • Historically disadvantaged communities are healthier, with increased access to healthy food (Goal #24), green space (Goal #23), better air quality (Goal #22) and medical care (Goal #26), • healthy and convenient transportation options are available throughout the region, particularly in traditionally under- served areas (Goal #44). • All of the region’s residents are equipped with all of the tools they need to succeed in today’s economy (Goal #29), and resources for small businesses and first-time homeowners will help many build wealth for future generations (Goal #38). The State of Equity is the first report in MAPC’s Regional Indicators program, which establishes a baseline for our equity-related indicators and will track the region’s progress towards its goals. The full report, along with policy recommendations and a website, will be released later in 2011. This handout contains the report’s preliminary findings. Demography is Destiny DiviDeD we fall Metro Boston is changing. Inequitable income distribution and highly segregated residential patterns not only harm individuals These demographic trends will have huge impacts on throughout their lives, but hinder Metro Boston’s the region in decades to come, and the face of the potential for equitable growth and prosperity. They region in 2030 will look substantially different than it are also systematic factors that underpin or exacerbate did in 2010. many of the other findings in this report. the youngest among the region is income inequality is the region our regressive tax our population us are our most increasingly high in metro Boston, is highly structure worsens income is aging diverse residents foreign-born and it’s growing segregated inequality We credit King County, Washington, a pioneer in integrating the social justice and equity perspective into a government agency’s work, with this definition. 1 www.mapc.org • Metropolitan Area Planning Council • www.metrofuture.org
- 2. ...YOUNG ADULTS, as they try to learn, stay safe and establish independence. Inequity Impacts Us All... ...CHILDREN, as they try to grow up healthy, learn, and play. 10th Grade Math MCAS Scores, 2009 - 2010 MAPC ...SENIORS, as they try to remain active, 100% Percent Proficient or Advanced 90% 80% retire comfortably, and stay connected. 70% 60% 50% Metro Boston Grandparents Responsible for Grandchildren, Below the Poverty Line, 2009 40% 20% 30% 18% 20% 16% 10% 0% 14% Latino-Hispanic Black/African White Asian 12% American 10% Source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, 2009-10. Average 8% percent below poverty 6% line across all African American and Latino teens enter 4% family types the workforce less prepared for the region’s 2% (9.3%) White children and children of color rarely grow up side-by-side in MetroBoston. knowledge economy. 0% Not responsible for Responsible for grandchildren grandchildren Source: ACS 2009, 1-year MSA, data. High School Dropout Rates, 2009 25% Grandparents raising grandchildren are Statewide Dropout 20% Rate MAPC especially impacted by poverty. Dropout 15% Rate March 1 10% 5% ...ADULTS, as they try to make a good 0% living, build a home, and stay healthy. All students Black/African White Asian Latino/Hispanic American Source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, 2009. Indicates the percentage of students in grades 9-12 who dropped out of school between July 1 and June 30 prior to the listed year and who did not return to school by the following October 1. Dropouts are defined as students who leave school prior to graduation for reasons other than transfer to another school. About half of all renters in the region are Health disparities result in high hospital- cost-burdened by housing. ization rates for some minority groups. Median Housing Cost Burden for Age Adjusted Rate of Hospitalizations due to Hypertension Massachusetts Renters and Owners 250 35% Black, Non-Hispanic Hospitalizations per 100,000 people Median of gross rent as a 30% 200 percentage of Hispanic household income 25% 150 Asian / Pacific 20% Islander, Non-Hispanic Median of selected 15% monthly owner White, Non-Hispanic costs as a 100 percentage of 10% household income MAPC Average 5% The foreclosure crisis hit urban and 50 0% minority neighborhoods first and hardest. 31.98 0 1999 2009 MAPC Massachusetts Total Source: Census 2000 and ACS 2009 1-year estimate data. Black bars indicate a 90% confidence interval Note: Black bars indicate a 95% confidence interval. Source: MassCHIP, Massachusetts DPH, 2003-2008 March 1, 2011