Apply for the Healthy Neighborhood Initiative! 

The Healthy By Design Coalition is excited to announce the launch of the Healthy Neighborhoods Initiative. This initiative is designed to assist neighborhoods in Yellowstone County to develop a sense of place and identity while also connecting residents to daily needs such as healthy foods, safe parks and sidewalks, schools, jobs, and opportunities for social connections.

This initiative comes out of a similar, successful project in the historic South Side Neighborhood. In summer 2016, the Healthy By Design Coalition began an exciting new project and approach to community health improvement work in partnership with South Side leaders, residents, and community organizations. This resulted in a community-driven Healthy Neighborhood Plan, unveiled to residents in 2017, that sought to bolster the Bright Side of the Tracks. This Plan focused on two key strategies – increased access to healthy, affordable food throughout the year and a stronger sense of pride through various neighborhood revitalization efforts.

"…[Linda Deavila] sees the Healthy Neighborhood Project as giving South Side residents a voice in the future of their neighborhood, something they haven’t always had.” From the 1/27/19 Billings Gazette 

Now, Healthy By Design is searching for another neighborhood to work with on developing a healthy neighborhood plan. Interested neighborhoods can apply with an easy five question application. Applications are due March 12.

Examples of Potential Priorities and Action Steps include:

• Neighborhood Pride: neighborhood branding/signage, public art, sidewalk poetry, and other placemaking activities
• Physical Activity: walkable/bikeable routes, safer routes to schools
• Food Access: community garden, grocery retailers, farmer’s market