Photo by CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash
By Steve Matthews, Senior Missional Consultant, FaithX
“NIR.”
Is that “Nearby Island Resort”?
“Never Irritate Roosters”?
What about “Needs Immediate Response”? That one could come in handy!
We use acronyms a lot at FaithX. What is that “X” for anyway? That’s for another blog.
The NIR is our shorthand for the Neighborhood Insights Report, and it is chock-full of customized information for the neighborhoods around your faith community. When we first introduced the NIR about five years ago it had some great data that could be valuable to lots of different organizations, but because we value adaptation, the content of the NIR has changed multiple time to meet the needs of the communities we serve. The NIR has over 30 data points measuring things like diversity, income, unemployment, crime, religiously unaffiliated, and much more, and behind each of these infographic data points is even more information. It is a dynamic html that allows a congregation to explore the dynamic patterns emerging (and projected to emerge) right in their backyard.
We have listened to our constituents and have added and deleted data points over time. We have also developed several different composite measures to help us explore issues more deeply. For example, many groups wanted to know about the numbers of unhoused in their communities, so we (with help from our partners at DataStory) developed the Housing Instability Index. Since the transient nature of the unhoused makes it difficult to create an accurate data point, we decided to explore the data that pointed to the risk factors for homelessness. Three factors emerged as related to at-risk communities: high rent burden, a high number of rental units as compared to homeowners, and a high mortgage burden. So, we worked some data magic and “Voila” – we now offer the Housing Instability Index (or HII)!
Currently, we are researching a new index due to interest in the epidemic of loneliness and isolation we are experiencing in the United States. We have data on things like drug overdose and suicide, but what other factors might go into a “Community Mental Health Index” or CMHI? We invite you to help us develop the CMHI! Based on your experience, what factors contribute to loneliness and isolation in your community? What demographic factors should we be considering? Please email us your thoughts and ideas at info@faithx.net, and please explore more about the NIR here. What’s missing? What would you like to see? Perhaps you would like to purchase one for your community.
We are here for you. Let us know how we can best accompany you in nurturing more life-giving community! TTFN (ta ta for now)!
