As we approach the one-year mark of the pandemic, it’s no secret that COVID-19 has further magnified the inequities that have long existed in Houston and across the region.
Inequities that affect the ability of our neighbors to prepare, recover, and adapt to unexpected situations. It’s clear that in the aftermath of any disaster, our neighbors need a reliable safety net to move forward.
At BakerRipley, we’re focused on decreasing the challenges that come to life during a disaster in order to build long-term resiliency in our region.
Houston families struggle with basic needs
In many cases, COVID-19 has left families unable to take care of basic needs like food and shelter. In turn, this has increased the complexities of moving up the socio-economic ladder and impacted the health and wellness of our neighbors.
What it looks like, exactly, varies from person to person, but most of our neighbors are employed and still can’t meet the basic needs of their family on a regular basis.
Looking forward, BakerRipley is building an ecosystem of holistic programs that support our neighbors on a pathway to upward mobility and greater resiliency.
Today, our teams and volunteers are on the frontlines, working to crush the inequities that exist in each one of the communities we serve.
In 2020, 3,194 volunteers contributed 148,353 hours of work to these efforts.
You’ll learn more about those efforts in our latest update below.
Demand for Basic Needs
During COVID, 50% of Houston suffered employment income loss; 39% experienced housing insecurity.
We’re currently helping families meet basic needs through food distribution and meal delivery programs, rental assistance, utility assistance, and other relief programs.
Economic insecurity
The minimum wage of $7.25 is far below the livable wage for the Gulf Coast Region, which sits at $22 per hour.
Unemployment continues to be a top concern throughout the region. Oftentimes, residents struggle to gain access to the resources or education needed in order to earn a better living.
Through a holistic ecosystem of programs, we’re connecting Houston’s small businesses to resources and providing individuals with essential programs.
Through our immigration & citizenship services, our neighbors are able to navigate complex systems and stay in the country legally.
Health & Wellness
80% of a person’s health is impacted by factors beyond clinical care, called social determinants of health.
Our communities regularly encounter barriers across social, economic, and environmental factors. Also known as social determinants of health, this directly impacts their health and wellbeing.
Furthermore, the neighborhoods we serve consistently rank highest on multiple socio-needs indices, a statistic strongly correlated with poor health outcomes. In short, our neighbors desire but lack access to the healthcare they need to achieve their goals.
During the pandemic, we have seen the mental and physical impact of isolation when neighbors no longer have access to community engagement and healthcare.
