Published Materials and Presentations

Reflections on Leading for Racial Equity
Data unmistakably link race with poor health and housing outcomes, and leaders within public health agencies, community health care organizations, and housing and homeless services entities have attempted to develop new strategies to produce more equitable outcomes. In seeking deep and lasting impact, however, these leaders encounter barriers stemming from the persistent influence of unconscious bias and white supremacy that pervades our culture. For instance, researchers found that the most commonly used assessment tool for prioritizing access to scarce housing units for people experiencing homelessness results in statistically significant discrepancies in scores that favor whites over people of color. Genuine dialogue around these issues, which includes both clients and staff of color as well as managers at all levels, regardless of their racial identity, is needed.

Dallas Housing Policy 2033
In 2022 the City of Dallas, Texas asked John Gilvar, Christine Campbell, and Michele Williams to help it develop a radically new affordable housing policy framework. The City wanted the new policy to acknowledge that increasing racial equity is integral to improving affordability for the entire community. The resulting new framework, known as Dallas Housing Policy 2033, was adopted by the Dallas City Council on April 12, 2023.

City of Dallas Equity Assessment of Affordable Housing Policies
Along with colleagues Christine Campbell and Michele Williams, John conducted a racial equity assessment of the City of Dallas’s affordable housing policies. The assessment relied on extensive community input and culminated in a presentation of 11 recommendations for change to the Dallas City Council. The findings and recommendations are summarized in this final report. Recommendations start on page 8, following the executive summary.

Medical Respite Services Panel Discussion
John Gilvar moderates a panel discussion on Medical Respite Care at the 2020 Washington Conference on Ending Homelessness. He’s joined by Edward Thomas House Medical Respite Medical Director Dr. Leslie Enzian, Washington Health Care Authority Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr. Charissa Fotinos, Ben Miksch of United Health Care.

Public Health Newswire: Equity at the Intersection of Race and Housing
Today’s guest post — part of our continuing series on equity and COVID-19 — is authored by Rose Englert; Ben King, PhD, MPH; and John Gilvar, on behalf of the APHA Caucus on Homelessness.

Changing The Conversation Interview
In this special episode, John Gilvar shares tips with host Jeff Olivet for refreshing—including a guided meditation—during a time of crisis.