Transforming Communities Initiative (TCI)

Background

The LWS Springfield Transforming Communities Initiative (TCI) is funded by Trinity Health of New England / Mercy Medical Center and the Massachusetts Community Health and Healthy Aging Funds. TCI is one of nine sites across the country that Trinity is funding to address health and equity disparities for communities using a policy, systems, and environmental change framework. Utilizing the priorities of the Community Health Needs Assessment, we engaged the advisory committee and broader community to narrow down to one issue out of thirteen to improve health and address health disparities in the city of Springfield. Through a Root-Cause Analysis and priority ranking exercises, the committee chose housing as the main need of the community. The TCI committee is entering its fourth year of a five-year project aimed at addressing affordable housing, housing conditions, and homeownership. The committee then narrowed down all the ways they could tackle the issue of housing to four main areas on a statewide and local level.     

Goals

• Advocate for the bill, “An Act Promoting Access to Counsel & Housing Stability in Massachusetts,” which will support low-income families & communities of color facing eviction or foreclosure and continue funding to build out a sustainable, long-term program. 
• Advocate for the City of Springfield to secure funding for the Springfield Housing Trust Fund through local & state resources. 
• Work with community partners and grassroots organizations to understand the need for a tenant support office in Springfield and residents' immediate housing support needs. 
• Partner with grassroots organizations to advocate to improve rental conditions at Springfield Gardens and other commercial properties. 

Partners

Advisory Committee

Arise for Social Justice 

City of Springfield 

Neighbor 2 Neighbor 

New North Citizens’ Council 

Partnership In Practice 

Pioneer Valley Planning Commission 

Springfield No One Leaves 

Square One 

Trinity Health of New England / Mercy Medical Center 

Way Finders 

Technical Assistance Partners

Community Catalyst 

Georgia Health Policy Center