WOONSOCKET, R.I., Sept. 16, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- CVS Health (NYSE:
CVS) today announced it will invest $13.7
million to help renovate 230 low-income housing units at the
Rosewind apartments in Columbus,
Ohio. These funds will also be used to make significant
improvements to the local community center and support new
community programs in the area.
The investment kicks-off the company's commitment of nearly
$600 million over five years to
address racial inequality and social determinants of health in
Black communities. This commitment includes an emphasis on
increasing access to affordable housing, which is inextricably
linked to health.
"When people have access to high-quality, affordable housing, it
puts them in a better position to improve their overall wellbeing,
including taking care of their health or managing a chronic
disease," said David Casey, Chief
Diversity Officer, CVS Health. "One aspect of our commitment to
address racial inequality is addressing social determinants of
health – like housing – at the community level, which is where we
can make a meaningful impact."
CVS Health will work with the Columbus Metropolitan Housing
Authority (CMHA) and the Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing on
the project. Through CVS Health's investment, CMHA will spend
$50,000 per unit in much-needed rehab
and repairs.
"The redevelopment of Rosewind is part of CMHA's $250 million investment in affordable housing in
2020," said CMHA President and CEO Charles
Hillman. "Stable housing provides a solid foundation, but
people also need access to health care, employment, training and
other services to reach their fullest potential. We're excited to
collaborate with CVS Health to provide new opportunities for our
residents and revitalize the Linden community."
Within the Rosewind complex in the South Linden neighborhood of
Columbus, 95% of residents are
Black and have an average annual household income of less than
$17,000. Average life
expectancy in South Linden is just under 70 years – more than seven
years shorter than the average in all of Franklin County, which includes Columbus and certain neighboring
communities.
"Housing and health care go hand-in-hand, and health outcomes
are impacted by housing affordability and stability," said
Peg Moertl, President and CEO, Ohio
Capital Corporation for Housing. "We are pleased to be working with
CVS Health and the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority to
provide quality housing, economic support, and educational training
opportunities to those families and individuals facing challenges
in the Linden community."
The renovations, as well as new community programming funded by
CVS Health, will provide comprehensive local support to residents,
including the following new on-site programs:
- Health and wellness programming through CMHA and
the Healthcare Collaborative of Greater
Columbus to provide individuals with the best health care
experience possible on-site;
- On-site health screenings and COVID-19 testing to bring
preventative health care services directly to the community,
especially as the pandemic continues to expose health disparities
among the Black population;
- An educational cooking series with the nonprofit
organization Local Matters, to increase access to fresh, nutritious
foods and teach residents how to make healthy and tasty meals,
which will improve their overall health outcomes;
- Maternal programs – with 8.5 infant deaths per
1,000 live births in Franklin
County and 25.7 infant deaths per 1,000 live births in South
Linden, there will be a new program to support maternal health at
Rosewind that will equip new and pregnant mothers with parenting
resources;
- Community programs where individuals will have the
opportunity to have an open dialogue about the root causes of
systemic inequalities and barriers.
CVS Health will also establish a new program at Rosewind as part
of its ongoing workforce initiatives to provide employment
services and training to the Rosewind community, focused on
empowerment and building local relationships that will help
community members achieve meaningful employment opportunities.
"Finding ways to encourage housing that is affordable to
everyone is not just the right thing to do," said Columbus Mayor Andrew
J. Ginther. "It helps the region remain competitive in
attracting and retaining businesses."
Since 1997, CVS Health and Aetna, a CVS Health company, have
invested more than $1 billion in
affordable housing and community initiatives. In 2019, the company
invested $67 million in affordable
housing across the country, and the company plans to exceed that
amount over each of the next five years to help address housing
insecurities and promote community health improvement in Black
communities.
About CVS Health
CVS Health employees are united around a common goal of becoming
the most consumer-centric health company. We're evolving based on
changing consumer needs and meeting people where they are, whether
that's in the community at one of our nearly 10,000 local
touchpoints, in the home, or in the palm of their hand. Our newest
offerings – from HealthHUB® locations that are redefining what a
pharmacy can be, to innovative programs that help manage chronic
conditions – are designed to create a higher-quality, simpler and
more affordable experience. Learn more about how we're transforming
health at www.cvshealth.com.
Media Contact:
Courtney Tavener
(401) 712-3698
Courtney.Tavener@CVSHealth.com
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SOURCE CVS Health