Affordable Housing and Healthy Communities
As a leading builder of quality affordable housing in California, Jamboree is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. As we move forward, we are elevating a special focus on the planning and development of healthier communities that support a diversity of housing while advancing the lifestyle and well-being of residents. Headquartered in Orange County, CA, Jamboree is active in both the Urban Land Institute (ULI) – and its Building Healthy Places campaign – and the Complete Streets Initiative launched this year by the Building Industry Association of Orange County. While doing research for a workshop focused on the role of affordable housing in creating healthy communities, it became apparent that while there is extensive information on both healthy communities and affordable housing, almost nothing of significance exists in terms of documents or research that tie the two together under a single heading. That was the genesis for this white paper.
In our first 25 years, people looked to Jamboree to solve affordable housing needs. In the next 25 years, our affordable housing developments will serve as a greater platform for community change to improve the health and well-being of our residents as well as entire neighborhoods and communities – and the people who live in and around them. Jamboree is growing and our mission is evolving. We are working to expand our social, educational and health services programs to communities at large in the neighborhoods where Jamboree multifamily properties are located and will be built. An improved and healthier lifestyle, in turn, reduces stress and tension in the family, which means a more relaxed, enjoyable and productive life. Along with creating healthier communities, we will also advance Jamboree’s healthy living initiatives through our Resident Services Group. These comprehensive services foster learning, health and fitness and community building and are offered at 30 Jamboree communities with designated staff at each location.