Standard of Living

OVERALL RATING

Nine hundred residents shared their views through telephone and online opinion surveys conducted in the first half of 2019. Key findings are summarized, including ratings for different aspects of life in Flint. Ratings are based on a scale of one to five, in which five means “very positive” and one means “very negative.” For more information about how the ratings were calculated, see Methodology.

THINGS TO CELEBRATE/
THINGS TO IMPROVE

This section highlights survey results regarding what’s working and what needs improvement. If a section of Focus on Flint does not include information about Things to Celebrate or Things to Improve, it’s because the survey didn’t yield responses to fit the categories.

ALSO HEARD

In addition to results of the opinion survey, Focus on Flint shares information that local nonprofit organizations and agencies have reported hearing from the residents they serve.

SUPPORT FROM MOTT

Support for the organizations and programs presented in bold text includes funding from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, which produced this report. To learn more, visit the Foundation’s website, Mott.org.

FACTS & FIGURES

Each section includes data and statistics that illuminate strengths of the Flint community and highlight challenges. These facts were collected through opinion surveys of Flint residents; from city, state and federal agencies; and from local nonprofit organizations. The Flint surveys were conducted in the first half of 2019. Unless otherwise noted, all remaining data are from 2018.

DID YOU KNOW?

This section highlights organizations and programs working to address issues in the Flint community and provides information about how to connect with them.

THE ISSUE AND THE RESPONSE

Focus on Flint explores nine important issues facing the local community: Arts and Culture, Economy, Education, Health, Housing, Public Safety, Quality of Life, Standard of Living and Water. This section describes why each issue is critical to the community and summarizes work underway.

PHOTO: THE CORRIDOR ALLIANCE CHAPTER OF THE FLINT RIVER WATERSHED COALITION
People head to the water with canoes, rafts and just about anything that floats during the annual Flint River Flotilla.

2.5

OVERALL RATING

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

THINGS TO CELEBRATE

  • Quality options for higher education
  • Access to quality health care

THINGS TO IMPROVE

  • Local economy and job opportunities
  • Cost of water service

ALSO HEARD

  • Many residents lack access to personal transportation.
  • Housing in Flint is more affordable than in neighboring communities.

THE ISSUE

In the 1950s, Flint offered many residents a standard of living that few other communities could match. But the subsequent decline in manufacturing in the city led to decades of job losses. Today, approximately 41 percent of households in Flint live at or below the federal poverty level and struggle to meet such basic needs as housing, food and health care.

THE RESPONSE

The Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce and the City of Flint’s Economic Development Team are working with state and local partners to help reboot Flint’s economy and create more job opportunities. In addition to job-training programs, there are efforts underway to help residents start their own businesses. Until more of these efforts take hold, local nonprofits, such as the United Way of Genesee County and the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan, are doing more to help Flint residents meet their basic needs.

Facts & Figures

PHOTO: MOTT COMMUNITY COLLEGEProfessor Robert Benard (center) meets with students studying information technology at Mott Community College.

DID YOU KNOW?

Since 2017, the Adult Career Pathway program at Mott Community College has helped more than 900 people prepare for, get hired and advance in the fields of manufacturing, health care, human services and information technology. The program provides supportive services to help participants keep their education on track and pursue careers that can raise their standard of living.

CONTACT: Mott Community College, Office of Workforce Development, 810-232-2555

What’s Missing? Let Us Know!