Neighborhood & Built Environment
Community Resources
Community resources encompass public, nonprofit, or other similar resources. Health and human services staff can use these resources to better serve FSSA constituents and/or to share directly with constituents.
- CHIP Handbook of Help: A Resource Guide for those Experiencing or At-Risk of Homelessness
- Low Income Investment Fund
- Build Healthy Places Network
- Built Environment Assessment Tool and Manual
- Local Initiatives Support Corporation
- Our Work – Health by Design
- AccessABILITY
- Community Action of Greater Indianapolis (Hendricks, Boone, Hamilton)
- Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority
- Interlocal Community Action Program (Hancock, Madison)
- Human Services, inc (Johnson, Shelby)
- South Central Community Action Program (Morgan)
- Indianapolis Housing Agency
- National Resource Center for Supportive Housing and Home Modifications
- Making Homes Visitable
- The Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA)
- Habitat for Humanity Indiana
- Food Programs
- Help With Housing Needs
- IHCDA: Homebuyers
- IHCDA: Homeowners & Renters
- Division of Homelessness and Eviction Prevention
- Rental Help: Indiana
- Renters Rights and Responsibilities
- Enhancing Public Safety and Quality of Life in Indy
- Indy Peace
- Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Programs
- Embedded Police Social Workers
- Violence Reduction
- Northern Indiana Project Safe Neighborhood Initiative (PSN)
- Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities
- Accessibility at INDOT
- Our Lifespan Approach: What We Offer
- Resources – accessABILITY
- Services – accessABILITY
- Brighter Futures Indiana Family Resource Navigator
- Housing and Neighborhood Services
- Love Your Block – South Bend, Indiana
- Neighborhood Empowerment Pathways
- Westminster Neighborhood Services
- Environmental Public Health Web Resources
- Human Rights and Hazardous Substances
- IDEM: Community Environmental Health
- What is EPCRA?
- Find Your Local Food Bank
- Food Programs
- indy.gov: Division of Community Nutrition & Food Policy (DCNFP)
- Indy Food Policy (ICFAC) Programs
Learning Resources
Learning resources include trainings and other resources that will help staff working in health and human services understand health equity, the social determinants of health, and how to engage with constituents to enhance the overall health and social services provided to Hoosiers.
- Built Environment Assessment Tool and Manual
- The Impact of Low–Income Neighborhoods on Health
- County Health Rankings & Roadmaps
- The Built Environment and Pediatric Health
- Exclusionary Zoning: Its Effect on Racial Discrimination in the Housing Market
- Jurisdictions Dominated by Single-Family Zoning Hoard Opportunities, but Bans Aren’t the Only Fix
- The Curb-Cut Effect
- Curb Cuts: A Brief History
- Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities
- INDOT: Accessibility at INDOT
- Our Lifespan Approach: What We Offer
- Universal Design: Neighborhoods
- The Impact of Low–Income Neighborhoods on Health
- Disparities in Travel-Related Barriers to Accessing Health Care From the 2017 National Household Travel Survey
- The devaluation of assets in Black neighborhoods
- Race and Rural: An Investigation of the Rural Mortality Penalty
- Transportation: A Community Driver of Health
- Defining Rural at the U.S. Census Bureau
- Racial/ethnic and income disparities in neighborhood-level broadband access in 905 US cities, 2017–2021
- Where Indianapolis kids have the most — and least — opportunity
- Green Space and Health Equity: A Systematic Review on the Potential of Green Space to Reduce Health Disparities
- Effects of Urban Green Space on Environmental Health, Equity and Resilience
- Review Making the Connection Between Zoning and Health Disparities
- Policing in America
- The Origins of Modern Day Policing
- The History of Policing in the US and Its Impact on Americans Today
Data Resources
Data resources present data about the issue. They may include data in infographics or other visual mediums. These resources will help health and human services staff understand social determinants of health through relevant statistics, dashboards, and other data content.
How Neighborhood and Built Environment Impacts Olivia
Meet Olivia—grateful to have a home with her aunt after experiencing homelessness, but dreaming of a place with more nearby amenities. Her old car could break down at any moment, so Olivia hopes to find affordable housing with walkable shops and public transport.
Get to Know OliviaHow Neighborhood and Built Environment Impacts The Jackson Family
Meet the Jacksons—living in a safe, diverse neighborhood where they enjoy parks, community centers, and time together. Nichelle loves the nearby resources for her kids, Marcus is a foodie who appreciates easy access to the grocery, and Jayden enjoys walking with his grandma Evelyn through the neighborhood. Yet, they remain mindful of their surroundings.
Get to Know The Jackson FamilyHow Neighborhood and Built Environment Impacts The Garcia Family
Meet Elena—a widowed mom living in rural Indiana who faces long commutes, limited internet access, and rising fuel costs. Without nearby resources or safe places to walk, she struggles to balance work, errands, and family time. She dreams of a fresh start in a neighborhood with better access to child care, internet, and other amenities.
Get to Know The Garcia FamilyHow Neighborhood and Built Environment Impacts Chris
Meet Chris—a substitute teacher who relies on housing vouchers, rideshares, and public transit. Accessibility issues in his apartment and the lack of safe, walkable spaces nearby make daily life challenging. Despite using public transit and paratransit, Chris hopes for a future where transportation is less of a daily struggle.
Get to Know Chris
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Neighborhood & Built
Environment Topics
Built Environment
The built environment consists of the human-made structures or surroundings where people live and work. Its design affects safety, healthy living, and access to amenities like grocery stores and internet infrastructure.
Neighborhood
Neighborhoods are where people live and connect. They impact quality of life, including health, education, employment, and overall well-being.