Listening to Residents and Using Data

The 2024 Neighborhood Vitality Index (NVI) continues to show the importance of responsible data collection efforts. Driven by valuable feedback from key stakeholders, a collaborative project with the Center for Disease Control (CDC) Foundation, and a partnership with the City of Detroit, allowed us to refine the index, ensuring it more accurately reflects the lived experiences of residents and provides actionable data for community development. We were also able to adjust the survey by adding, subtracting, and adjusting questions to ensure the right level of detailed information is being collected on these topics.

Looking Closer at Resident Safety

One of the best examples of changes in the 2024 NVI is adjusting the question about reporting crime. While the 2023 survey measured perceptions of safety and comfort reporting crime, our initial analysis revealed some interesting datapoints that made community members ask more questions that we could answer.

• Crime rates and feeling safe: One observation from the 2023 data was the "safety paradox": neighborhoods with high crime rates did not always correlate with residents reporting low feelings of safety. As we build out our community engagement plan for the 2024 analysis, understanding how residents perceive safety is going to be a big consideration.
• Why people don't report crime: We also noted that only about a quarter of Detroit residents felt comfortable reporting crime. However, this didn’t always relate to lower crime rates in council districts. In the 2024 survey, we added additional options for residents to explain why they aren’t comfortable reporting crime such as fear of retaliation or risk of immigration consequences. With this more detailed information, we’ll be able to help communities better understand how their residents feel about safety overall.

Making Things Clearer and Simpler

One of the highlights of the 2023 surveying process was a collaboration with the CDC Foundation, which resulted in the NVI adding a variety of equity-related indicators about race that have benchmarks at the national level. This partnership also allowed us to test various questions and see how variation in wording impacted people’s response choices. A key takeaway was that asking very specific questions elicits a more accurate response. In the 2024 survey we made updates based on this insight to a variety of questions. For example:

• In 2023, we noticed a number of respondents said they can meet their family’s basic needs, but also reported on the questions from the CDC Foundation that they had struggled to pay their bills or purchase enough food for their families. Since the purpose of the basic needs question was to identify challenges with affording food, utilities, and housing, the 2024 survey adopted those specific questions to provide more actionable information to organizations using this data.
• Another area with a more specific question is in transportation. The 2023 survey asked residents if they had access to safe, reliable transportation. Many respondents said yes, but later answered the questions from the CDC Foundation that they had missed important meetings or appointments due to lack of transportation. Based on conversations throughout the development of NVI, it was obvious that the more specific question about missing work, health appointments, etc. would provide better and more actionable information, so in 2024 the NVI survey adopted the more specific and clear language.

Understanding Digital Literacy

In partnership with the City of Detroit, the 2024 NVI also incorporates more detailed questions related to digital literacy. These will provide valuable insights into the digital divide within the city and inform policies and programs aimed at improving digital equity and inclusion.

With their help, the 2024 NVI went a step further than the 2023 survey to identify residents with internet service and specific problems using the internet or devices such as lack of confidence or concerns about surveillance or hacking.

What's Next?

The 2024 Neighborhood Vitality Index is another step forward in efforts to understand the complex needs and experiences of Detroit residents. By incorporating feedback from key stakeholders, leveraging data-driven insights, and collaborating with key partners, the 2024 NVI will provide more accurate and actionable data to support community development initiatives and improve the quality of life for all residents. Look for the data rolling out and opportunities to engage with data and provide your insight to the survey results this summer!

And watch for announcements that the survey is open again to make a difference in your community. Your feedback will help us understand the unique needs of Detroit residents and create positive change. By sharing your experiences, you're helping to build a stronger, healthier, and more vibrant Detroit for everyone.