Qualitative Interviews
Researchers conducted 69 interviews with community residents. We asked residents to share their thoughts and experiences regarding their quality of life; maintenance of their housing/built environment; community, personal safety; social media use and its role in the community; the Covid-19 pandemic; and Black Lives Matter.
*All the participants' identities were changed to maintain and protect their anonymity.
Interview Findings
Theme 1: Community Resources
We defined community resources as both existing community assets, goods, and services, as well as those that are not currently accessible, but would enable communities to thrive.
“The people know what they want and they're working towards it. They might be afraid of change, but they're moving into it.”---Joe, age 20-25
Theme 2: Livability of the Built Environment
We define livability of the built environment as the physical spaces (e.g. buildings, playgrounds, and parks) and their impacts on health and safety. Residents suggested improvements, which if implemented, would support more community growth and improvement.
“If we don't pay rent on time they bring it to court, so I can't see through that. You're paying your rent and then they don't want to keep up a standard for you to live in it. It’s terrible to get them to fix the place. Honestly that's the worst part of living here.” (Stephanie, age 35-40)
Theme 3 Critical Reflections of Community Life
We define critical reflections of community life as how residents experience their communities interacting with city institutions.
“I'm kind of nervous because like, if they're putting all these buildings up and the trend is to change everything. Who are they trying to kick out because of it?” (Klay, age 20-25)
Theme 4 Community Recommendations to Reduce Violence
Residents discussed ways to reduce violence and increase safety in their communities with both direct recommendations to improve their physical environment as well as more indirect ideas to address systemic social issues.
“When I was growing up, they had tenant patrol. My mom used to do that. There used to be somebody downstairs sitting at a table, and for anybody that came in, they got to sign the book and put their names down, but now there’s none of that. It's like, come on in. I remember each tenant used to take turns for 24 hours to monitor the building.” (Adam, age 60-65)