Individuals and Families Are Economically Secure

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As part of an overall framework for our grantmaking, our advocacy and our leadership, the Community Foundation is focusing on four key Results, including this one: Individuals and families are economically secure.

Here’s why:
Far too many residents in Greater Birmingham face situations that threaten their economic security. The lingering effects of the recession, including high unemployment, continue to compound the already existing disparities in income level and opportunities from different communities across our region.

The poverty rate in the Greater Birmingham region is over 15 percent. While these families and individuals face significant struggles to meet basic living expenses, there are thousands more in our community who are living just above the poverty level but who still face economic insecurity. We know that we can enhance the economic security of our residents by investing both in programs that provide direct services to low-income residents, and by supporting important public policy changes.

One of the greatest financial burdens facing low-income families is the cost of housing. Many residents in the region pay more than 50 percent of their income toward housing, leaving them with few resources to meet other needs. The most severe manifestation of this housing challenge is homelessness, as more than 3,000 people in our community are homeless on any given night.

Here’s how:
The Community Foundation has made specific investments to keep people in their homes through the Housing Stability Fund and continues to be concerned about the availability of safe, quality housing, especially in the wake of 2011 and 2012 tornadoes that hit Jefferson, Blount, Walker and St. Clair counties.

We focus on two strategies toward this Result for our Region.

  • Improve housing stability.
  • Increase public policy changes and direct services that positively impact low-income individuals and families.

Want to join us?

  • For more information about how your nonprofit organization can partner with the Community Foundation, contact James McCrary.
  • If you want to make a gift to drive positive change in this result, contact Erin Stephenson or use our secure on-line donation process.
  • If you are already a Community Foundation donor and wish to use your Advised Fund as part of our Giving Together program, contact Kathryn Corey.