In a groundbreaking effort to amplify community voices, the Neighborhood Vitality Index (NVI) survey calls on 6,100 Detroit residents to share their neighborhood experiences, with participants earning a $25 gift card for their insights. Building on last year’s success, where over 2,000 residents weighed in, this year’s expanded survey seeks to capture a broader perspective of the city’s diverse neighborhoods. The 15-minute survey is open to all Detroiters aged 18 and older and will remain accessible until capacity is reached. This initiative results from a collaborative effort between Community Development Advocates of Detroit, Data Driven Detroit, and JFM Consulting Group.
The Neighborhood Vitality Index is an exciting new tool designed to drive collaborative, positive change in Detroit neighborhoods.
The survey asks Detroit residents to report their experience in areas like health, housing, and transportation. By responding to the survey, residents will help:
- Empower leaders with information to support your neighborhood’s growth over time.
- Guide decision-making to strengthen Detroit’s diverse communities.
- Identify new opportunities for impactful neighborhood improvements and programs that support resident needs.
Erica Raleigh, Co-Executive Director of Data Driven Detroit, explained how the NVI was developed as a city-wide resource with input from community-based organizations, residents, and others.
“It’s a big step toward a better future for Detroit’s communities, and we hope that all Detroit residents will join us in making Detroit a city of strong, vital neighborhoods.”
The survey responses will be carefully examined and combined to create neighborhood vitality indicators for 23 specific zones throughout the city. These indicators will encompass a wide range of factors, including homeownership rates, safety levels, and racial equity measures within each neighborhood.
Madhavi Reddy, Executive Director of CDAD, says the health of Detroit’s neighborhoods is critical to the success of the city as a whole.
“The Neighborhood Vitality Index, especially the input of residents through the NVI survey, will allow us to make collaborative, positive change at the neighborhood level across the city. It will give us information we need to help neighborhoods and residents thrive,” Reddy said.
NVI will undergo an annual update to incorporate the latest data. The survey will be distributed through various channels, including community development organizations, City of Detroit District Managers, local media outlets, and other relevant community organizations. In addition, residents who participated in the 2023 survey and provided their email addresses will be personally invited to participate in the updated survey.
This helps ensure continuity and allows residents to provide ongoing feedback. All Detroit residents who are 18 years or older are encouraged to take part, and until the survey reaches its response capacity, they will be eligible to receive a $25 gift card as a token of appreciation for their valuable input.
Community development organizations, foundations, and city government will use the NVI survey results to inform decisions that will help Detroit become a city of strong, vital neighborhoods.
“The engagement of various stakeholders, community development organizations in particular, has been critically important and will remain so as we prepare to engage residents in this round of surveys,” Jane Morgan, President of JFM Consulting Group, said.
Visit nvidetroit.org to learn more about the Neighborhood Vitality Index and take the survey.
Request a paper survey by emailing us at [email protected] or by calling (313) 290-0992.
Take the survey over the phone by calling (313) 290-0992. Leave a message, and someone will get back to you soon.
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