What is Equity?

Toward a More Equitable Transportation Agenda for the Detroit Region

18 November 2013

Anita M. Hairston, PolicyLink

What is Equity?

• Equity means just and fair inclusion.

• An equitable society is one in which all can participate and prosper. The goals of equity must be to create conditions that allow all to reach their full potential. In short, equity creates a path from hope to change.

• Achieving equity requires intentionality, focus, and a commitment to community engagement and participation.

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3Source: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Commission to Build A Healthier America

Transportation (In)Equity in America

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20

42

50

The percent of a region’s jobs that can be accessed via a one-way, 45-minute transit ride.

The percent of African Americans who live in a household where no one owns a car compared to 14 percent of Hispanics and 5 percent of non-Hispanic whites.

The percent of their total annual income that low- and moderate-income households spend on transportation.

The percent of older people in the United States staying home on a given day because they lack transportation options.

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Engaging a Constituency for an Equitable Transportation Agenda

• The Equity Caucus at Transportation for America — formed by the nation’s leading civil rights, community development, racial justice, economic justice, faith-based, health, housing, labor, environmental justice, tribal, public interest, women’s, and transportation organizations — drives transportation policies that advance economic and social equity in America.

Engaging a Constituency for an Equitable Transportation Agenda

Engaging a Constituency for an Equitable Transportation Agenda

1. Create affordable transportation options for all people.

2. Ensure fair access to quality jobs, workforce development, and contracting opportunities in the transportation industry.

3. Promote healthy, safe, and inclusive communities.

4. Invest equitably and focus on results.

• Equity Focused goals and performance objectives: – improved access to jobs for low-income people – reduced per capita transportation user costs

for low-income individuals – safer streets for bicycling and walking

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• Support for the New Equity Agenda

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All respondents Latino Black Asian White

71%

89% 87% 83%

63%

27%

9% 12%13%

34%

Total opposeTotal supoort

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12

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Tools / Resources– All In Nation– America’s Tomorrow– Why Place and Race

Matter – The Transportation

Prescription– Maximizing Walkability,

Diversity, and Educational Equity in U.S. Schools

– Healthy Corridor for All– Guiding Principles for

the Surface Transportation Bill

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Anita M. HairstonPolicyLink

anita@policylink.org www.policylink.org

Thank you!