THEPRICEOFBELONGING:RECLAIMINGACCESSTO COMMUNITYSPACES
EXECUTIVESUMMARY
Accessto“thirdplaces”—inclusivecommunityspacessuchasparks,libraries, churches,barbershops,andcafés–influencepeople’shealth,senseof connection,andopportunitiestobelong.However,formanyresidentslivingin low-incomeneighborhoodsandcommunitiesofcolor,historicdisinvestment, transportationbarriers,andrisingcostssignificantlylimitaccesstothesevital spaces.Thisreportdemonstrateshowaffordability,transitaccess,andthespatial availabilityofthirdplacesimpactresidents’abilitytoconnectandfeelsupported inDetroit,MI;Philadelphia,PA;andHouston,TX.Citiesthataimtobuildstronger, healthier,andmoreconnectedcommunitiesmustprioritizenotonlythecreation ofthirdplacesbutalsoensurethattheyareaccessibleandwelcomingtopeople ofallbackgrounds.
KeyFindings
Costshapesaccess:Citieswithmorecostlyspacesriskleavingoutlowerincomeresidents.Researchshowsthatwhenaffordablethirdplacesare lacking,accessbecomesunequal,highlightingtheneedforpoliciesthat prioritizeinvestmentinfreeorlow-costcommunityspacestopromotesocial inclusion.
Churchesremaincommunityanchors:Churchesconsistentlyserveasthe highestpercentageoffreethirdplaces,emphasizingtheiruniqueroleas trustedgatheringspotsforconnectionandsupport.Itisimportantforstatesto recognizethisroleandconsiderwaystoempowerchurchesthrough partnerships,resources,orprogramming.
Transportationisamake-or-breaklink:Lackofsidewalksandlongdistances canmeanthatmanypeople,especiallythosewithoutaccesstocars,struggle toeasilyaccesscommunityspaces.Thesedisparitiescallattentiontothe needforfederalandstatepoliciesthatinvestinwalkableinfrastructureand equitabletransitaccess.
Neighborhoodgapsleavepeopleisolated:Neighborhoodsthatlackthird placesmakeitmoredifficultforpeopletoconnectandreceivesupportintheir communities.Thesegapscallattentiontotheurgentneedforpolicymakersto prioritizeplace-basedinvestments,especiallyinunderservedareas.
Policyactioniscritical:FederalinitiativesliketheJustice40Initiativeare essentialtoolsthatcanbeutilizedtochannelresourcesintounderserved communities,helpingtoexpandaccesstosafe,inclusivepublicspaces.