The University of Georgia Community Diversity in the South Tapping Underutilized Resources Jorge H....

The University of Georgia

Community Community Diversity Diversity

in the Southin the SouthTapping Underutilized Tapping Underutilized ResourcesResources

Jorge H. Atiles, Ph.D. Extension Housing Specialist


Drivers of Rural Development Success

• Broadening Civic Involvement is essential for achieving rural development, social stability and economic growth.

• Civic involvement in the Rural South is more challenging now than ten years ago as our population has become more diverse.


Civic Involvement and Diversity• When people provide input to their government about

the issues affecting the community, it not only strengthens the relationship between the public and its government, but it also enhances the outcome of the policy decisions or projects being decided upon.

• Rural development programs, services and land use projects need to be shaped by involvement from the community.

• But aside from major urban and suburban areas, the process for rural civic involvement is affected by the lack of effective means for engaging the poor and immigrants.


Drivers of Rural Development Success...

• One of the main drivers of economic growth in the rural South is the rapid influx of immigrant workers to supply industries with much needed labor force.

• Diversity brought by Mexican, Guatemalan and other Latin American nationals has also added a challenge for community services in the rural South. Some counties have welcomed and responded quickly to the challenges (e.g., Whitfield county, GA) while others have not.


Diversity Numbers in the South• The population changes in the 1990’s were

fueled by a growing economy that demanded readily available labor. Latinos came to meet the demand for intensive, cheaper labor. Asians also arrived in great numbers to better their quality of life. Eastern Europeans arrived after much turmoil and war in the Balkans.


Diversity Numbers• Population changes in the last decade

– The US has changed its population profile by being the recipient of large numbers of immigrants (4.7 % of population), particularly, from Latin America (54.7% of all recent immigrants).

– Hispanics are now the largest minority group and their presence in the South has even tripled in states such as Georgia and North Carolina. However, for the most part and with Texas as an exception, Hispanics/Latinos are not the largest minority in the South, African Americans are.



In Georgia, for example, Hispanics are not the largest minority, but they are present all over the state.


Latinos as Immigrants

• Not all Latinos in the South are immigrants • But the majority of these Latinos are immigrants• In the USA, 1 in 5 immigrants is Hispanic• Of all states, Georgia has the most counties (25)

with more than a 50% increase in immigrants


Latino Population

• During the 1990’s, the U.S. experienced a rapid increase in Latino population. In the South alone, the Latino population grew to about 11.6 million in 2000.

• Latino population in excess of 35 million: America’s largest minority group


The ChallengeThe Challenge

How does one get an immigrant population involved?The growing immigrant population created additional challenges for policy makers and service providers. These recent immigrants are also challenged by a new environment and a different culture in which they must strive to meet their dreams for a better life.


Diversity and the Array of ChallengesDiversity and the Array of Challenges

Many recent immigrants join the limited-income groups of the rural South. They provide fuel for the economy but do not fully enjoy the wages that allow them a comfortable quality of life, although in many cases is an economic improvement when compared to wages in their homelands.

Language is a communication barrier that prevents full civic engagement of these new rural inhabitants. The low-literacy level in Spanish and English is prevalent among many impoverished newcomers and makes involvement difficult.


Diversity and the Array of ChallengesDiversity and the Array of Challenges

Other challenges include:• Documentation status. • Inability to vote and serve in public office, and the• Fear of deportation also creates segments of the

population that naturally disengage from public life and from speaking out on community needs and issues.

Thus, these circumstances affect the manner in which rural immigrants can engage in leadership roles.


Impediments to Civic InvolvementImpediments to Civic Involvement

• Poverty is an illness that affects the rural South and ethnic diversity is mostly represented among the poor.

• Moreover, low-income people are often overwhelmed by concrete daily needs and crises that prevent them from proactively acting on community issues.


Impediments...Impediments...

• Low-income people often believe that they cannot affect the world in which they live and thus do not engage in affecting it.

• They also lack the necessary knowledge and information to scrutinize social policy, particularly, when the policies are very foreign to an immigrant group.


The Southern Rural POVERTY BELT Challenge

• The most impoverished America’s rural area

• It includes counties with more than 25% African Americans (double the national average)

• A total population of 8.2 million people, 3.3 million is African American.

• Ground water is closer to the surface and thus at more risk of contamination. Soil types are more conducive to poor water quality.


The Southern Rural POVERTY BELT

The Belt is characterized by:

• Lack of economic diversification

• Reliance on natural resources

• Low levels of physical and social infrastructure

• High dependence on government spending

• Low levels of educational attainment

• Intergenerational poverty

• Poor access to Health care

• Substandard Housing


The Untapped ResourcesThe Untapped Resources

1) The diversity of the people:• The people native to the area• The new people• The future people• All people.... with their diverse backgrounds

2) The potential use of non-traditional skills brought by new immigrants that could offer an opportunity to develop other industries (e.g. bamboo furniture)


The Untapped ResourcesThe Untapped Resources

• These resources can only be tapped if developed to their full potential

• If their basic needs are addressed in conjunction with the economic future of rural areas

• If policies are developed to fully support the involvement of industries in the socioeconomic development of the counties

• If stewardship is rewarded and responsible citizenship is promoted

• If the workforce is protected regardless of national status• If cultural differences are acknowledged and used to

celebrate diversity


Engaging the Poor and the Workforce

• Many recent Hispanic immigrants, often referred to as Latinos, are coming from poor rural areas of North, Central and South American countries to work in agriculture, construction, landscaping, housekeeping, manufacturing, and poultry processing plants, among other occupations.

• This segment of the Latino immigrants have more housing challenges than other Latinos who hold college degrees and adapt more quickly to the American society and its housing. Low wages and limited knowledge of the English language and the regulations pertaining to housing, consumer goods and financial products are barriers for these recent immigrants to find decent, safe and affordable housing.


Diversity and Need• Unfortunately, many of these immigrants live in

homes that are not healthy, may not have adequate plumbing or water supply, and are dilapidated. But that might be the only type of housing they could afford to rent or buy here, thus they adapt to these conditions, many times sacrificing their own housing values and aspirations.

• Consequently, housing education that is offered in their language and in simple terms is necessary to help new immigrants find suitable housing and incorporate their culture in their homes in a manner that meets housing codes and other housing-related regulations in communities all over the U.S.


Diversity and Need...

• The reality is that low-income residents, particularly minorities, suffer disproportionately from environmental health hazards as they are more likely to acquire housing that is older and in need of repair or maintenance to remove environmental health hazards

• Of African American children living in older housing in primarily urban areas, almost 22 percent suffer from lead poisoning, compared with only 5 percent of white children in similar areas.


Underutilized Resources:Underutilized Resources:Reaching out in a Diverse SouthReaching out in a Diverse South

Tap the local, state and federal resources to move the Rural South forward. Enhance the capabilities of local agencies and nonprofits to address local needs and be able to attract job opportunities. Work with:

• Community grassroots• Local government• State agencies• Health Departments• Employers


When Engaging a Diverse GroupThink out of the box!!

CONSIDER THE NEEDSand how these may impede

successful rural development


For instance, consider that:Housing is essential for the workforce and for ensuring a stable labor for industries wanting to locate in rural settings.


Diversity Influences in Housing• Cultural influences in housing continue to take

place in contemporary society. United States, the land of immigrants, continues to be the preferred destination for many individuals and families of other cultures.

• Immigrants bring their values, expectations and dreams about housing and go through a period of adaptation to the housing this country offers.


Diversity in Housing Needs• Asians and Hispanics are typically accustomed to different

housing layouts and construction techniques from those found in the U.S. In addition, cultural and household characteristics, such as the number of people in the family, also influence the way immigrants look at housing to meet their family needs for space, comfort and proximity to services.

• For example, the needs of a large (extended) immigrant family or the needs of an Asian family might want to look for housing that incorporates Feng Shui design elements in its architecture. Other immigrants may want to have a large yard where they can have a vegetable or fruit garden, for example.


Communities need to do asset mapping and think of their diverse population as an asset that will influence future development.

This asset could be positive or negative to development depending upon the actions taken by rural leaders


CRITICAL THINKINGHOW CAN YOUR rural TOWNYOUR rural TOWN TURN AROUND?

• Have you done a housing needs assessment? When?

• Is your zoning inclusive? How do you treat manufactured housing in your community?

• Do you contribute to urban sprawl?

• Do you have a solid tax base to implement programs for affordable housing, community improvements and economic development?

• Where does your workforce lives?

• How many building permits did you issue in the last 10 years for new construction? What price housing?


THINK of HUMAN ECOLOGYTHINK of HUMAN ECOLOGY

• Communities are made of households of all types, natural resources, buildings and roads and as an ecosystem in itself is impacted by human action in the use and development of resources. .

• The health, socioeconomic and environmental well being of our communities and families depends upon our actions as consumers and users .

• Sustainability becomes possible when resources are managed in consideration of the ever-changing process of the lives of people, communities and even societies…from birth to death .


THINK of CONSUMER LITERACYTHINK of CONSUMER LITERACY

• Homebuyer & Tenant Education. Promote responsible and sustainable ownership. You have access to education via your local extension service. Support it!

• Fair Housing and Housing Discrimination.

• Credit and Financial Education and counseling.

• Basic housing life skills.

• Predatory lending and fraud awareness.


THINK of WORKFORCE THINK of WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENTDEVELOPMENT

• Survey the skills available...consider the skills brought by immigrants.

• Include the workforce in the development decisions, seek out input.

• Foster skill development centers at technical schools.

• Address the language issues in the workforce.

• Think of social justice and opportunities for all.


THINK of ENVIRONMENTAL THINK of ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTHHEALTH

• When designing your town’s landscape.

• When looking at rehabilitation.

• When pondering resources to control chronic diseases like asthma and absenteeism in schools.

• When conducting building inspections and before issuing a residence permit.

• When restoring older structures.


THINK of the NATURAL THINK of the NATURAL ENVIRONMENT - BMPsENVIRONMENT - BMPs

• When locating a neighborhood near industry, marshes, water bodies, etc. (concerns for lead, mercury, water contamination, etc.)

• When looking at urban runoff. What are your ordinances and design guidelines for this issue?

• When thinking of waste collection programs.

• When permitting or inspecting septic tanks.

• When looking at transportation.


THINK of YOUR TOWN’s ASSETSTHINK of YOUR TOWN’s ASSETS

• Asset mapping is critical to determine your strengths as a community and how you can move forward. this includes all forms of housing, buildings, natural resources and people.

• Determining needs, helps you be clear on what you do NOT need at the time. It helps planning.

• YOUR people and NGOs: listen and ask for help.

• List your barriers and set goals to overcome them.

• Celebrate your virtues and incorporate them into your town design and landscape.


THINK of INNOVATIVE FINANCING

• IF you are not a HUD entitlement community. Work hard to demonstrate to your State Housing Agency how you can use funding to impact your community at ALL levels. Are you ready to compete???

• Talk to lenders, work in partnership with them and builders and promote consumer financial literacy.

• Design incentive programs to promote the construction and renovation of affordable housing.

• Set rehab loan program for homeowners in need.


THINK of QUALITY GROWTH

• Planning saves money! Costs of public services per dwelling unit are higher in an unplanned rural area than in unplanned or planned urban areas.

• Look very closely at the hidden costs of growth

• In a time of scarce resources you might decide to renovate, rehabilitate or replace the existing housing stock. Design incentives to promote it.

• What is your emphasis: walking or driving? houses with front porches and small lots or suburban homes with large lots and no porches?

• HOW DO YOU WANT YOUR COMMUNITY TO GROW?.


• Know the research...for instance: Farms, forests and other open lands may bring in less revenue per acre than housing development. But they require far less expenditure, due to their modest demand for public infrastructure and services. However, revenues from housing developments fell far short of supporting the cost of services the new housing demanded (Schools, 911, etc.)

• Approved development should be steered to those geographic areas that minimize the cost of servicing the development. Conservation subdivisions and higher-density development (for the same number of units) also help lessen the negative economic impact of converting farmland into houses."

THINK of QUALITY GROWTH...


THINK of HOUSING EQUALITY & SOCIAL JUSTICE

• Promote Fair Housing

• Address Housing Discrimination

• Know your resources

• Are you planning and designing for everybody? How universal are your design criteria?


Ways to become Involved• Community participation takes on many forms,

ranging from public/private partnerships, service on town boards and commissions, volunteering on behalf of town programs and services, and addressing the town council on issues of interest to the public.

• Just as it is the responsibility of each citizen to vote, it should be the responsibility of each resident to participate as a partner with government in shaping public policy. Are the rural towns effectively encouraging their residents to participate with the government in shaping the future of the community?


Final Thoughts• Taking advantage of the untapped resources

and skills that a more diverse population bring to the South may be a great step to further economic and social development in rural areas.

• Celebrate your assets....people first!• Maximize the capabilities of the people• Market this untapped resource to further

economic growth and improve quality of life.

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