EQUITY | Etna EcoDistrict

EQUITY ETNA ECODISTRICT

EQUITY February 2019

ETNA ECODISTRICT Ecodistricts focus on both the hardware or physical systems of places, as well as the software of social and cultural resiliency. The Etna EcoDistrict, along with its Triboro Ecodistrict partners in Millvale and Sharpsburg, is focused on six key areas of planning and strategic action: water, mobility, air, energy, food, and equity.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT: References to materials or processes developed by EcoDistricts®, and the Etna EcoDistrict are referred to as “EcoDistrict”, while the term ecodistrict without capitalization is used to refer to other districts, programs, and processes that are not the intellectual property of the EcoDistricts® organization.

Etna’s Equity Vision

Etna is an inclusive community that embraces diversity and activates everyone to shape our future together.

4 | Etna EcoDistrict

ETNA’S EQUITY STORY Equity means having full and equal access to opportunities that enable you to reach your full potential.

Equitable communities improve quality of life for residents by providing everyone with what they need to be successful.

Equitable communities contain a diversity of people who contribute to their community’s identity, character, and values.

People are at the heart of every community, and equitable communities include residents that are diverse in age, income, and ethnicity. Etna’s identity is a combination of the community’s values and future aspirations, which is what makes Etna special.

Equitable communities have choices, including access to education and jobs, food and healthcare, and high quality and affordable housing.

Communities of choice provide the resources needed for residents to live an affordable but high quality of life. Residents should not have to choose between living in Etna and having a good job, or living in Etna and having resources for their children.

Etna Borough has taken significant actions related to improving quality of life.

The Borough and its partners provide educational and youth resources, resident services and support, healthy and sustainable community initiatives, and more to improve quality of life for residents.

Etna residents and Equity Champions are planning for the future.

November 2018 was “Equity Month” in Etna. Residents came together to discuss what equity means for Etna as well as to develop Etna’s Equity Vision Statement.

EQUITY | 5

NOVEMBER 2018 WAS EQUITY MONTH! The Etna EcoDistrict Education Series focused on a different Quality of Life Issue each month.

6 | Etna EcoDistrict

Etna Equity Education 46 Attendees November 7, 2018 The Etna EcoDistrict Education Series was an opportunity for attendees to develop a shared understanding of “equity,” share information about the Borough’s equity initiatives, and allow residents to provide their own thoughts and opinions regarding equity. The Education Session covered a variety of topics including: •

What is equity and how is it different than equality?

•

Why is equity important?

•

What is happening at the national level related to equity as well as in our region?

•

An overview of the determinants of equity, including information about Etna’s people, the economy, education, jobs, health, and housing.

•

How does access to a healthy natural environment relate to equity?

•

How does community identity relate to equity?

•

What is an equitable EcoDistrict process? What does equity in water, mobility, air quality, energy, and food mean?

•

Who has not participated in the EcoDistrict process so far and how can we engage them in the future?

•

Etna’s equity initiatives, including the exciting projects and programs underway in Etna.

At the beginning of the session, attendees recorded their “Etna Equity Stories,” and several individuals chose to share their stories with the greater group. Many stories described fondness for their neighbors and the great sense of community in Etna.

Others shared concerns regarding food accessibility and education.

Following the presentation, attendees wrote their ideas for Etna’s equitable future on comment cards and provided feedback on what they believe will be the most important challenges for Etna over the next five years. Attendees also shared who they believe the EcoDistrict should better engage in 2019, and how they may assist with these efforts. Etna Print Circus attended the meeting and printed “Etna is for Everyone” posters, designed by Alexis Boytim and Robert Tuñón, free of charge for attendees to take home and display prominently in their windows.

Photos by evolveEA & Robert Tuñón EQUITY | 7

Etna Equity Champions 18 Attendees November 14, 2018 Following the Education Session, a group of 18 individuals who are particularly passionate about equity attended the Champions Meeting to have a more in-depth conversation about Etna and equity today, and to craft a vision for Etna’s equitable future. The Champions Meeting consisted of an in-depth discussion about the following topics: •

The content covered during the Education Session.

•

The Equity Stories, Equity Vision Statements, and general comments from the Education Session attendees regarding Etna’s equitable future.

•

Equity in the EcoDistrict process and how to engage more residents in 2019.

•

What the biggest barriers are for Etna residents and the Etna community as a whole to thrive.

•

Our biggest fears for Etna’s future.

the conversation, and present it at the EcoDistrict Education Celebration in December. The Champions crafted the vision statement thoughtfully and intentionally.

“Inclusive” refers to all Etna residents, independent of age, ethnicity, income, sexual orientation, or other characteristics.

“Embrace” is used because Etna residents do not just accept all, but welcome and practice respect for all.

“Diversity” is used because Etna residents see diversity as an essential asset to an equitable community.

“Activate” is used because Etna residents do not just want to be engaged in the Etna EcoDistrict, but should be empowered with the knowledge and tools necessary to activate their community.

“Shape our future together” is used because Etna residents should not only be empowered to shape their own future, but the future of the Etna community collectively.

The vision statement they developed is written below.

Following this discussion, the Equity Champions broke up into groups of two to discuss what Etna’s Equity Vision Statement should be. Through the discussion a few themes emerged, including: •

Prioritizing inclusive engagement and building local leadership.

•

Creating opportunities for all Etna residents.

•

Providing further education and awareness in the community about equity issues.

Following the meeting, two attendees (Allison Butka and Kendra Clarke) volunteered to craft Etna’s Equity Vision Statement, informed by 8 | Etna EcoDistrict

EQUITY VISION STATEMENT Etna is an inclusive community that embraces diversity and activates everyone to shape our future together.

Photos by evolveEA & Robert Tuñón

EQUITY | 9

The ecodistrict process is intended to empower and activate residents by providing them with the information and tools necessary to envision Etna’s future and then to achieve it.

For this process to be successful, evolveEA, ECO, Etna Borough, and residents must listen to one another and work together to have open and honest conversations and share knowledge and resources.

An essential part of this process is 10 | Etna EcoDistrict

asking for and integrating community thoughts and expertise into the process. The adjacent page shows the results of the Etna Equity Challenges exercise that informed the Equity Champions’ conversations, and will ultimately inform the EcoDistrict Protocol Roadmap. Key themes from the community meeting feedback were quantified and will be revisited during Roadmap development.

I think that over the next 5 years, this will be the most important challenge for Etna...

69 responses

Engaging all residents in planning for Etna’s future.

14 Providing places to support kids as they learn and grow.

12 Improving and maintaining high quality and affordable housing for all.

9 Improving and maintaining diversity in Etna.

9 Building community wealth.

9 Maintaining and strengthening Etna’s unique identity.

6 Providing a healthy and accessible natural environment.

5 Improving community health and wellness.

4 Being an elder-friendly community.

1 Photos by evolveEA & Robert Tuñón EQUITY | 11

THE EQUITY UMBRELLA

EQUITY HOUSING

JOBS

IDENTITY

CULTURE

ENERGY

WATER

HEALTH

EDUCATION

FOOD

MOBILITY

AIR

EQUITY VS. EQUALITY

EQUALITY

EQUITY

The common perception is that everyone needs equal opportunity to succeed.

The reality is that different individuals require different resources to succeed.

ETNA’S EQUITY CONTEXT Equity is essential to improve individuals’ quality of life and to build a community for all.

12 | Etna EcoDistrict

Equity means that all people have full and equal access to opportunities that enable them to reach their full potential.

Creating an equitable community is about improving quality of life for everyone by providing residents with what they need to be successful. As we work towards a more equitable community, we are influencing the social, economic, and environmental conditions that we live and work in, leading to the creation of a fair and just society.

Equity is often treated as an “umbrella” over all of the Triboro Ecodistrict Quality of Life Categories, because thinking explicitly about equity in water, mobility, air quality, energy, and food is important to ensure that the burdens and benefits of these areas are fairly distributed in the community. However, equity also includes topics that are not found in the other five categories, such as health, culture, identity, economy, education, and housing.

Equality and equity are not the same thing.

Equality exists when everyone has the same health, safety, justice, education, economic, housing, and other outcomes, regardless of their race, ethnicity, income, gender, disability, sexual orientation, immigration status, or other characteristics.

Creating a more equitable Etna includes providing opportunities to fulfill residents’ individual needs, while also meeting the needs of the collective community. It’s about being the best INDIVIDUAL you can be, in addition to being the best COMMUNITY we can be.

Equitable communities are more important now than ever.

Cities now contribute to a vast and growing equity gap as the divide between rich and poor continues to widen. Higher levels of inequity within a community can mean fewer opportunities for low- and middleincome residents to advance, which can lead to a shorter life and greater health problems over the long-term.

A recent study conducted by Harvard economists shows that the zip code a child is born into has a bigger role in determining their future than any other single factor. The zip code you are born into can determine the quality of your life as an adult and your life expectancy.

According to this study, a child from a low income family who grows up in Allegheny County will on average make $550 fewer than their parents over the course of their lifetime. In other words, Allegheny County is not a good place for low-income children to climb the income ladder and live better lives than their parents did. For communities that are undergoing change, this can mean that when children grow into adulthood, they may never be able to afford a house in the neighborhood they grew up in. Equitable communities can reverse this statistic by providing resources and opportunities for individuals to overcome barriers and move beyond the “zip code effect” to improve their lives.

Equity exists when everyone has the resources and opportunities they need to enjoy full, healthy lives. Equity aims to promote fairness and justice, which means that different groups may require different resources or opportunities to succeed. For some individuals this may mean better housing choices, for others it may mean access to education or job training. Source: EcoDistricts Protocol, NYTimes, Pacific Standard Magazine, Pew Social Trends, Bureau of Labor statistics, EQUITY | 13

100

Pittsburgh Equity Index (OnePGH) Health, Food, & Safety

Access and prevention

44

Health status and outcomes Childhood health and wellbeing

68 24

Policing and criminal justice

42 44

Civic engagement & communications

Housing, Transportation, Infrastructure, & Environment

Education, Workforce Development, & Entrepreneurship

Public safety

60

Educational opportunities 52

Student success and discipline Employment Entrepreneurship and workforce development Income and poverty Housing affordability and stability Infrastructure quality and investment Neighborhood composition and opportunity Transportation

56 61 42 28 51 41 85 83

Environment and sustainability Representation

51 71

Political participation

77

Grassroots engagement 70

City-led engagement Technology and communications

Inequities are prevalent not just based on where you live, but based on your gender, the color of your skin, and other characteristics.

Worldwide, there are economic, health, education, racial, and gender disparities. Nationally, black Americans are 13% more likely to live in poverty and 6.4 times more likely to be incarcerated than white Americans.

Nationally, women on average make 18% less than men and are 3.6% more likely to live in poverty. Inequities have also been demonstrated based on socioeconomic status, level of education, sexual identity, and other characteristics.

14 | Etna EcoDistrict

58

Inequities are being identified locally as well.

Pittsburgh is a city on the rise, yet too many residents remain cut off from opportunity by poverty, structural racism, and discrimination. OnePGH was established as a targeted, intentional strategy for equitable development to ensure that all can thrive as Pittsburgh grows. The strategy addresses inequities to create a city of engaged, empowered, and coordinated neighbors. The city recognizes that it can not be resilient until it is livable for all residents.

Equity indicators were established as part of this initiative that measure change either toward or away from a condition where all are equal.

The indicators are categorized into health, food, and safety; education, workforce development, and entrepreneurship; housing, transportation, infrastructure, and environment; and civic engagement and communications. The analysis found that indicators related to transportation, environment, and sustainability, as well as political participation, grassroots engagement, and city-led engagement are on a path towards equality. Conversely, childhood health and wellbeing, and housing affordability and stability are the farthest from equality of all the equity indicators. Overall, Pittsburgh’s 2017 equality score was 55 out of 100 (with 0 being unequal, and 100 indicating that everyone is equal).

While there is a lot that sets us apart, there is a lot that brings us together.

While a series of complex issues are colliding worldwide and regionally, Etna strives to be a community that practices love, respect, and acceptance of all people, because Etna is for everyone. Similar to the nation as a whole, there is much work to be done, and while several steps have already been taken, this initiative hopes to move Etna forward to address inequities and create a community where all people can thrive.

Source: Pacific Standard Magazine, Pew Social Trends, Bureau of Labor statistics, OnePGH, Robert Tuùón EQUITY | 15

POPULATION BY AGE (2017)

40.5

is the median age in Etna.

13.1%

of Etna residents are over 65 years old.

20%

of Etna residents are under 20 years old.

0-4

5-9

10-14

15-19

20-24

25-34

35-44

45-54

55-64

65-74

75-84

85+

HOUSEHOLD INCOME (2017)

$37,831

$59,039

is the median household income in Etna.

<$15k

$15k-25k

$25k-35k

is the median household income in the U.S..

$35k-50k

$50k-75k

ETNAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S PEOPLE Equitable communities contain a diversity of people.

16 | Etna EcoDistrict

$75k-10ok $100k-150k $150k-200k $200k+

Equitable communities begin with people.

People are at the heart of every community, and equitable communities contain a diversity of people. Diversity does not only refer to racial or ethnic diversity, but considers a variety of characteristics.

Etna is diverse in age. The median age in Etna is 40.5 years old, which is slightly older than the median age in Millvale and in Sharpsburg (37.5 years old and 40.2 years old respectively).

Of all Etna households, 380 of them contain one or more individuals who are under the age of 18. Individuals under 20 years old account for 20% of all Etna residents, while 13.1% of Etna residents are over 65 years old.

Etna is diverse in household income.

The median household income in Etna is $37,831, which is less than the median household income nationally ($59,039). 11.3% of Etna households live below the poverty line, meaning that they only earn enough income to support the bare necessities of food, housing, and transportation.

Etna contains a diversity of household sizes as well, with 50.1% of households consisting of families and the remaining 49.9% of households containing non-related residents. The average household in Etna contains between one and three people. Family households in Etna range from two to six residents in one housing unit, whereas non-family households consist of two people who are not related or are only occupied by one person.

Etna is not racially or ethnically diverse. Almost 95% of Etna residents are white, with a very small percentage of residents identifying as Hispanic, Asian, black, or another race.

Etnaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s population is diverse in many other ways as well. Some Etna residents are veterans (7.5% of the population), some receive social security income (23.0%), some receive retirement income (17.0%), some have disabilities (25.5%), and some receive public assistance income (5.7%). Etna even contains a diversity of pets (25% of households are cat people and 40% of households are dog people)! All sorts of people live in Etna, including individuals of different religions, genders, sexual orientations, and political views, as well as individuals who speak different languages, are from different parts of the country or world, or are first- or secondgeneration immigrants to this country.

Every Etna resident brings something unique to the community. Whether you are passionate about starting a small business, passionate about art and music, or passionate about being a parent, every Etna resident contributes to making Etna a special and diverse place to live.

Source: SWPA Profile, U.S. Census Bureau 2010, ESRI, ACS (2011-2015), EQUITY | 17

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE (2017)

4.7%

of Etna residents are unemployed.

CONSUMER SPENDING (2017) On average, basic needs account for 47.8% of Etna residents’ annual expenditures.

Housing 23.0% Food 12.5%

Basic needs

Transportation 12.3% Pensions and social security 9.9% Health care 8.2% Utilities 7.8% Entertainment and recreation 4.5% Other 21.7%

ETNA’S ECONOMY & EDUCATION People who live in equitable communities have access to education and jobs, as well as an affordable but high quality of life.

18 | Etna EcoDistrict

Etna contains 181 businesses of varying types.

Etna contains approximately 181 businesses, employing about 2,044 people (equivalent to about 60% of Etna’s population). While this is a significant number of jobs, only 6.1% of Etna residents both live and work within the Borough. This indicates that the skillsets or education needed to work for the businesses located in Etna are not well aligned with the skillsets and education currently possessed by Etna residents, and/or the jobs available in Etna are not aligned with the interests of Etna residents. Therefore, a vast majority of working residents must travel elsewhere for employment, either by choice or necessity. Etna’s unemployment rate is about 4.7%, which is not too much higher than the national unemployment rate (currently 3.7%).

Of the 181 businesses located in Etna, the top five types of businesses by quantity are retail trade (25 businesses, such as motor vehicle and parts dealers, food and beverage stores, and building material and garden equipment stores), service-related (22 businesses, such as automotive repair and maintenance, civic services, and laundry services), construction-related (21 businesses, such as new buildings, renovations, additions, maintenance, and repairs), manufacturing-related (20 businesses, such as plants, factories, mills, bakeries, candy stores, or other locations where goods are made), and food service and drinking (17 businesses, such as restaurants, catering, and bars).

Wholesale trade businesses employ the greatest number of people in Etna (484 employees), followed by manufacturing (379 employees), transportation and warehousing (239 employees), retail trade (223 employees), and construction (192 employees).

Basic needs account for a large percentage of Etna residents’ spending.

For the average Etna resident, housing costs account for the greatest percentage of annual spending (23.0% of annual expenditures), followed by food (12.5%), and transportation (12.3%).

These three categories are considered basic needs because they are necessary expenditures to provide food, shelter, and transportation back and forth from a job, and together they account for almost half of an average Etna resident’s yearly spending. If utilities and health care are included as well, this percentage increases to almost 64.0% of annual spending.

Spending on basic needs can be reduced with higher household income, affordable housing, convenient and affordable transportation options, convenient access to grocery stores, and other factors. The smaller the percentage of annual expenditures that households spend on basic needs, the more money they can spend investing in their future, in higher education, in entertainment or a vacation, or generally on goods and services that will improve quality of life and will support the local and national economy. Minimizing costs spent on basic needs also reduces stress, which can lead to improved health and productivity.

Source: NCSL, ESRI, InfoGroup, U .S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Expenditure Surveys (2013 and 2014) EQUITY | 19

All Saints School

Etna High School

Marzolf School

Shaler Area High School

Jeffrey School

20 | Etna EcoDistrict

Locust Street School

Etna Little Library

Etna has a strong history with education.

The community used to contain many well-loved and successful schools, with the first school dating back to before Etnaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s incorporation. Former schools in Etna include a four-room schoolhouse in what later became the Borough Building in lower Etna (1860 - not the present site of the Borough Building), the Locust Street School (1875), the Weible Street School (1897), Etna High School (1925), the All Saints School (1902), and many more. The community even had a couple of libraries; The Etna Public Library located in the Chalfant House Womanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Club (1932) and the Etna Youth Library (part of Wilson Elementary School - 1958).

As time passed, schools in the region became more centralized and increased in enrollment. Individual communities no longer had their own schools, and students began traveling to larger regional school districts in adjacent communities. In Etna, community schools began to close and students started attending the Shaler Area Schol District.

The Etna community now lacks resources and places for kids and teens to learn. If you are a child or teen who enjoys playing sports or exploring outside there are incredible resources available to you in Etna. However, if you are a child or teen looking for a place to read, do homework, study, make things, play indoors, learn new skills, or discover a new hobby, the community lacks a place for you to go.

While some children travel to libraries or after school programs outside of the Borough, this is not an option for children who do not have access to transportation outside of their bus ride home from school.

While Etna currently has challenges related to educational assets, the community has restored some educational resources in recent years.

This includes a free summer reading program at the playground hosted by Shaler North Hills Library (established in 2009), the Calvert Memorial Church free after school program (established in the 1980s and re-established in 2010), and the Etna Little Library book sharing program (established in 2018).

Moving forward, the community is working to establish more permanent educational resources in Etna.

There is an important relationship between jobs and education.

Education is at the core of having access to a good job, whether that be through technical training, higher education, or other resources.

Providing education and job training opportunities in the community will make achieving the qualifications needed for employment in wellpaying jobs more accessible to residents. It can also help to establish relationships and networking opportunities that lead to good jobs.

Transportation is also very important. If there is a lack of jobs in Etna that match the skillsets and interest of those living in Etna, then there needs to be accessible and convenient transportation connecting the community to job opportunities elsewhere.

Lastly, financial literacy is important to ensure that residents understand how to retain the income they have earned and how to budget appropriately. All of these factors come back to education and providing a solid foundation through high quality schools and resources available to youth as they are growing up.

Source: Etna Centennial EQUITY | 21

CHRONIC LUNG DISEASE

7.1% of adults in Allegheny County

INCOME 18% of those making <$15,000 have chronic lung disease while the same condition only affects 2% of those making >$75,000.

EDUCATION 18% of those without a high school degree have chronic lung disease while the same condition only affects 3% of those with a college degree.

DIABETES

9.9% of adults in Allegheny County

INCOME 16% of those making <$15,000 have diabetes while the same condition only affects 6% of those making >$75,000.

EDUCATION 19% of those without a high school degree have diabetes while the same condition only affects 6% of those with a college degree.

CANCER

8.2% of adults in Allegheny County

INCOME 10% of those making <$15,000 have cancer while the same condition only affects 6% of those making >$75,000.

GENDER 1o% of females have cancer while the same condition only affects 7% of males.

ETNAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S HEALTH & WELLNESS People who live in equitable communities have access to food and healthcare, as well as healthy lifestyle choices.

22 | Etna EcoDistrict

DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH

(quantities are approximate and differ based on the individual)

Physical/Social Environment Lifestyle/Health Behaviors Medical Care Genetics

Several factors determine Some groups experience the state of a person’s health. health disparities.

Determinants of health are factors that contribute to a person’s current state of health, which includes a person’s genetics (their DNA, age, gender, etc.), the medical care they receive (access to insurance, preventative care, emergency care, etc.), their lifestyle and health behaviors (drug and alcohol use, smoking, diet, etc.), and their physical and social environment (where they live, the quality of the air and water, etc.). While all of these factors are important to overall health and wellbeing, physicians have found that a person’s physical and social environment has a greater impact on overall health than medical care and lifestyle and health behaviors, with genetics being least impactful. This is important because genetics is the only determinant of health that cannot be changed, while the other three factors can change based on where you live, what type of job you have, the choices you make, and other factors.

Health disparities adversely impact groups who have systemically experienced greater obstacles to good health based on their race, gender, sexual identity, age, disability, socioeconomic status, geographic location, or other factors. For many, these factors influence a person’s ability to find a good job, affordable and high quality housing, education, health care, access to healthy food, ability to make healthy lifestyle choices, or otherwise impacts their physical and social determinants of health.

These health disparities have been studied by the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) by analyzing chronic diseases and their prevalence among different groups of Allegheny County residents. The outcomes of this analysis have proven that health disparities do exist among Allegheny County residents based on a person’s race, income, education, gender, and other factors.

For example, out of the ~87,000

Source: Center for Disease Control, IWBI, ACHD Health Equity Briefs, Healthy People 2020 EQUITY | 23

POTENTIAL HEALTH IMPACTS Death rate due to heart disease (per 100,000 people â&#x20AC;&#x201C; not attributable to air quality only)

DEATH RATE DUE TO HEART DISEASE (per 100,000 people)

Allegheny County Allegheny County

City of Pittsburgh City of Pittsburgh

181 HEALTH IMPACTS195 181 195 POTENTIAL Death rate due to heart disease

(per 100,000 people â&#x20AC;&#x201C; not attributable to air quality only)

DEATH RATE DUE TO CANCER

Etna Etna

336 336 Source: SWPA Profile, ACHD 2012

(per 100,000 people)

Allegheny County

City of Pittsburgh

Etna

184.2 181

195.5 195

277.1 336

Allegheny County

City of Pittsburgh

Allegheny County residents who have chronic lung disease, 18% of them make under $15,000 annually, whereas only 2% make over $75,000 (showing a health disparity based on income).

Of the ~121,000 Allegheny County residents who have diabetes, 19% of them do not have a high school degree, whereas only 6% have a college degree (showing a health disparity based on education). Similarly surprising statistics were reported for cancer and heart disease, and disparities based on race and gender were found across all chronic diseases as well.

Geographic location can create health disparities.

Where a person lives has an impact on their air and water quality, their 24 | Etna EcoDistrict

Etna

commute to work, their access Source: to SWPA Profile, ACHD 2012 opportunity, and other physical and social determinants of health. Looking at health statistics for Etna compared to the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County shows that there may be factors in Etna that contribute to higher or lower rates of certain chronic diseases. For example, Etna residents have higher rates of lung cancer and heart disease than Allegheny County or the City of Pittsburgh, but has lower rates of diabetes.

Another determinant of health is access to health-related support. 216 Etna residents (6.3% of the population) currently receive mental health support from Allegheny County, 71 residents (3.1% of the population) receive drug and alcohol support,

ACCIDENTAL OVERDOSE DEATHS IN 15223

Substance abuse affects 1

in 4 families.

Over the past 10 years, 39 Etna residents have died due to accidental overdose.

death ETNA HEALTH & WELLNESSOverdose IN ETNA ths in 15223 Accidental overdose deaths in 15223 Opioid-related Opioid-related

14

Overdose death Overdose death

Opioid-related 95% of these deaths

Overdose death Opioid-related Overdose death

Overdose death overdose death

Overdose death

occurred in the Borough.

2012

2008 2008 2013

2009 2009 2014

2010 2010 2015

2011 2011 2016

2012 2012 2017

2013 2013

2014 2014

2015 2015

2016 2016

2017 2017 Source: Allegheny County

Source: Allegheny County

2015

2016

2017

4.5% of children in Etna receive child Allegheny County welfareSource: services, and 56 residents (1.7% of the population) receive medical transportation assistance.

Southwestern PA has suffered greatly from the opioid epidemic.

Since 2006, Allegheny County has experienced fatal overdose rates higher than those seen throughout Pennsylvania and many other states in the country. In 2014 this number peaked at 342 unintentional overdose deaths (with 93% being opioidrelated), but has reduced in number due to the prevalence of emergency treatments (such as narcane). While Etna has not been identified as a â&#x20AC;&#x153;hot-spotâ&#x20AC;? for opioid-related deaths,

there have been 39 Etna residents that have died due to accidental overdoses over the past 10 years (23 of which were due to opioids). 95% of these overdose deaths occurred within the Borough boundaries.

In Allegheny County, the number of opioid-related overdose deaths has more than doubled since 2014 (to 640 deaths), and there are now more drug overdose deaths than car crash deaths in Pennsylvania. Substance abuse affects 1 in 4 families in the region and this is something that must be addressed.

Source: SWPA Profile, ACHD 2012, WPRDC, Allegheny County Dept of Human Services, Allegheny County EQUITY | 25

HOUSING IN ETNA People who live in equitable communities have access to housing options that are high quality and affordable.

26 | Etna EcoDistrict

39.2% of Etna residents are cost burdened by housing

74%

of the housing units in Etna are owner-occupied (the remaining 26% is occupied by renters).

Etna homes come in all shapes and sizes.

such as utilities. Some definitions of housing affordability also consider transportation as part of this 30%.

No matter whether a person lives in a single family home, an apartment building, a high-rise, a low-rise, in an apartment above a storefront, they own their home, or they rent it, all people deserve quality, affordable housing.

The median household income in Etna is approximately $37,831, which means that for housing costs to be considered affordable, Etna residents should be paying less than $11,350 annually (or $960 per month) on gross housing costs. By this definition and based on current expenditures, approximately 39.2% of Etna residents are considered cost burdened when it comes to housing affordability.

Housing is generally considered affordable if housing costs (whether it be paying rent or a mortgage), are not so much that it prevents individuals from pursuing other goals in life. As a rule of thumb, this is about 30% of a familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s household income or less, and includes related costs

Source: Robert Tuùón, evolveEA, HUD, ESRI, ACS (2011-2015) EQUITY | 27

ETNA NEW MOVERS

Compared to the regional market, Etna homes are considered reasonably affordable.

There are approximately 1,704 housing units in Etna, and the median home value is about $82,000. Most houses in Etna were built in the early to mid 1900s, with 1939 being the median year of construction.

Etna currently has a high rate of home-ownership. About 74% of the housing units in Etna are owneroccupied, with 13% of homeowners considered â&#x20AC;&#x153;long-time ownersâ&#x20AC;?, or individuals who have owned their homes since 1985 or earlier.

28 | Etna EcoDistrict

Housing prices are increasing in Etna.

While Etna is currently considered affordable, sale prices have been gradually increasing. In 2014 the median home sale price was $50,000, which increased to $85,000 in 2018. In 2014 there were 8 sales that were above $100,000 (with the most expensive sale being $155,200).

In 2018, over $100,000 sales increased to 22 transactions (with the highest sale increasing to $240,000).

Lastly, renter-occupied housing has been increasing, which is evidenced by the increase in sales to non-owner occupied housing units (9 sales in 2014 and 28 sales in 2017).

Etna is becoming a community of choice for movers.

Looking at who has moved to Etna in recent years and where they lived prior to moving to Etna, an interesting pattern is emerging.

Over ten years ago, most of those moving to Etna previously lived in nearby communities. In recent years there has been a shift and significantly more people from the greater Pittsburgh area, and even from different parts of the country are moving to Etna (from as far away as California and Washington state). This shows that there is something special about Etna that people are seeking

Year of move 2006 2017

out when moving to the area.

While this highlights how special the Etna community is, it is also putting pressure on Etnaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s housing market and making it a challenge to maintaining affordability.

Source: U.S. Census, ACS 2011-2015, Lawrenceville Corporation, Allegheny County EQUITY | 29

ACHD

ALLEGHENY COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE INDEX

ACHD Environmental Justice Index Score Lowest need Low need Moderate need High need Highest need Parks (no score)

ETNA AND THE ENVIRONMENT People who live in equitable communities enjoy the natural environment and enjoy a healthy environment.

30 | Etna EcoDistrict

PA DEP

PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE INDEX

PA DEP Environmental Justice Index Score Environmental justice community Parks (no score)

No matter who you are or where you live, everyone deserves clean water to drink and fresh air to breathe.

This statement is related to the idea of environmental justice.

Environmental justice is defined as the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.

The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) has developed an index to determine high priority communities for environmental justice. Communities identified as the highest need have combinations of poor environmental conditions and lower socioeconomic status, which potentially increases their risk of being targeted by polluting industries and decreasing the likelihood that they have the means to advocate for their wellbeing.

The ACHD Environmental Justice Index uses 10 metrics, including measures of the built and natural environment (such as vacant properties, green space, traffic density, and particulate matter), as well as social determinants (such as education, poverty, and race/ ethnicity). Due to high scores for traffic, diesel emissions, railroad tracks, and impaired streams, Etna was identified as an area of high need, due to its vulnerability to air and noise pollution.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has also created an Environmental Justice Index, which is informed by only two metrics - poverty and race. Due to the use of different metrics, the DEP does not recognize Etna as a high need environmental justice community.

Independent of whether the County or the State recognizes Etna as an environmental justice community, it is important that the environmental conditions in the Borough are maintained in a healthy manner so that all residents can enjoy access to a clean and healthy environment.

Source: US EPA, ACHD Health Equity Briefs, PA DEP EQUITY | 31

ETNAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S IDENTITY Equitable communities maintain their character, sense of community, values, and identity.

32 | Etna EcoDistrict

NEWSPAPER HEADLINES ABOUT ETNA “Etna EcoDistrict well received, supported”

Tribune Review, 31 December 2018

“Etna residents start working on EcoDistrict plans” Pittsburgh Post Gzaette, 15 January 2019

“Etna residents meet to talk about social equity”

Pittsburgh Post Gazette, 15 November 2018

“More than 100 attend inaugural Etna EcoDistrict meeting”

TribLive, 11 March 2018

Community identity is a combination of a community’s values and future aspirations.

A community’s identity is defined by its unique places and landmarks, the activities and events of the community, and the values that residents hold dear. Communities hold multifaceted identities as a result of their history and ongoing transformation.

A community’s identity can consist of a combination of things, but often it is distilled to one or two characteristics when viewed by non-residents. For example, in Pittsburgh, Oakland is often known as an “academic, cultural, and healthcare center,” Mount Washington is known for its “scenic view with elegant restaurants,” and Bloomfield is known as “Pittsburgh’s Little Italy.”

Communities are often defined by unique characteristics in comparison to other communities, which becomes their competitive advantage.

The defining identity needs to arise from a community’s internal narrative. Etna residents show their pride in a number of ways and the strong sense of community is evident to visitors and residents alike. On March 3rd, 2018 during the inaugural

Etna EcoDistrict meeting, attendees were asked to pick a word that describes Etna. The responses to this exercise are shown below, with the words mentioned more frequently represented larger in size. With over 80 responses, the most popular answers included “friendly”, “home”, “community”, “family”, “emerging”, “quiet”, “affordable”, and proud”. progressive open-minded comfortable potential charm diverse rivertown new

emerging familyquiet rebirth

community

friendly home safe

life

divided green trying

togetherness

forward-thinking caring

cozy

growing affordable neighbors proud progressing

eventful

benevolent

Moving forward it’s important that Etna residents intentionally foster or craft an identity that is not only authentic to residents, but is memorable and intentionally shared with the region.

The ecodistrict process is intended to empower residents to shape this identity and future together.

Source: Robert Tuñón, Etna Borough, EEDC EQUITY | 33

ETNAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S EQUITY INITIATIVES We are working to make Etna a more equitable place to live!

34 | Etna EcoDistrict

Educational and Youth Resources

Healthy and Sustainable Community Initiatives

Etna and neighboring communities are working to provide more educational resources for residents, particularly for children. This includes the Shaler North Hills Library who offers an annual summer reading program, the Etna Teen Advisory Board, the three book sharing little libraries that were established in 2018, and the Calvert Church free after school program.

Etna Borough has received two designations recognizing the Borough’s efforts to make the community a sustainable and healthy place to live. The Southwestern PA Sustainable Community Certification identifies communities that are working to save money, conserve resources, and serve vibrant communities. Etna Borough was awarded a gold level designation.

The Etna EcoDistrict is working to increase youth engagement in the EcoDistrict planning process. As part of this engagement, students from Shaler Area High School created an Etna Equity poster that was presented at the Equity Education Session and will soon be displayed for the public to see in the Borough.

Etna Borough has also been designated a “Live Well” community

by Allegheny County. This designation identifies communities that are working with the County to become healthier places to live.

Resident Services and Support

The initiatives mentioned as part of the water, mobility, air, energy, and food booklets, while not explicitly stated in this way, are all contributing to creating a more equitable Etna for everyone. While the burdens and enjoyment associated with these five categories are not always evenly distributed, the Borough and its partners are actively considering equity in every project associated with these areas, and intends for all projects to contribute to reducing inequities and support residents to rise to their greatest potential.

Etna and neighboring communities offer several services and support for residents including the Calvert Church food pantry, tax preparation assistance, support for seniors (through the senior center, transportation assistance, etc.), and numerous services provided by the North Hills Community Outreach Center.

Etna Borough is also in the early stages of establishing a community land trust in partnership with four other communities to establish permanently affordable housing in the Borough.

Water, Mobility, Air, Energy, and Food Initiatives

Source: Robert Tuñón, Alexis Boytim EQUITY | 35

HOW YOU CAN HELP! Here are five things you can do tomorrow...

36 | Etna EcoDistrict

1. Display an “Etna is for Everyone” poster prominently and proudly!

Designed by Alexis Boytim and Robert Tuñón and printed by Etna Print Circus, be sure to grab one of these free posters and display it in your window to show your support.

2. Reflect on how you can help to close the equity gap in your work and personal life.

Are there initiatives you can participate in or efforts you can take to make your workplace and community more equitable for everyone?

3. Invite your friends, family, and neighbors to participate in planning Etna’s future.

Share this booklet and future events with neighbors and friends and encourage them to participate in the EcoDistrict moving forward.

4. Engage in one action that spreads love, respect, and acceptance in Etna.

How can you spread the message that Etna is for everyone through your actions and words? No action is too small!

5. Support Etna’s Youth.

Increase opportunities for Etna’s youth by volunteering at a school, coaching a sports team, volunteering at an after school program, or finding a different way to become a role model for a child in your neighborhood.

EQUITY | 37

ETNA ECODISTRICT Cover Photo: A quiet morning on Butler Street in Downtown Etna.

Photo by Robert Tuñón.

Funding provided by Henry L. Hillman Foundation.

The Etna EcoDistrict is supported by powered by

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