Advancing Social Equity Goals to Achieve Sustainability

Advancing Social Equity Goals to Achieve Sustainability: Local Governments, Social Equity, and Sustainable Communities

This report describes the current activities, leading practices, and achievements of sustainable communities. Such communities were created through a comprehensive, integrated approach to sustainability supported by inclusive engagement, equal access to services, and livable neighborhoods. The report examines the extent to which social equity activities are included within an integrated approach to sustainability, how social equity is defined, and the level of commitment of local governments in addressing equity issues. The analysis examines all local governments that responded to the ICMA 2010 survey, focusing in particular on the characteristics of the minority of governments—fewer than 1 in 10—that are very active in social equity. Additional information used includes information from a 2012 follow-up survey focused on social equity activities and nine case studies on communities identified from the 2012 follow-up survey. This research was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).