Executive Summary
Housing patterns in the city have continued to become more diverse since 2018 , with noticeable increases in racial and ethnic diversity in north and northwest Arlington . The movement of more diverse populations into other areas of the city also correlates with increased levels of academic achievement amongst minorities .
Additionally , while economic disparity continues to impact the city ’ s populations of color more significantly , the poverty rates for Blacks , Latinos and other people of color has been on a noticeable downward trend . Based upon the current data , the Unity Council is issuing an additional series of race and ethnicity related recommendations in this report .
The race and ethnicity recommendations speak to the need to ensure that the City ’ s government service information is accessible to a wide variety of individuals , to include new immigrants and other new Arlington residents .
Additionally , the Unity Council would like to see increased collaboration amongst all the diversity-focused entities within the government , with a focus on cultural exchange and understanding .
The second portion of the report addresses the work that the Unity Council has conducted within its expanded scope .
Per the charge set forth by the City Council , the Unity Council spent a significant amount of time in the past two years examining issues of disparity and equity for underserved and marginalized communities that are not addressed strictly within the context of race and ethnicity .
More specifically , the report issues an additional series of findings and recommendations pertinent to the lived experience of the city ’ s disabled , age 65 + and LGBTQ + residents . The data captured to create these findings and recommendations for these populations was acquired through community listening sessions ; surveys ; one-on-one interviews ; focus groups ; and presentations from subjectmatter experts .
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