Visualizing the Wealth Gap
WITH COALITION FOR HOME REPAIR
Graphic design to explain systemic barriers to closing the wealth gap through home ownership. The Coalition for Home Repair is a national organization that supports home repair nonprofits through advocacy, funding, and educational resources. Operating amidst a national housing crisis, their efforts help homeowners attain and maintain safe, healthy, and affordable housing.
To support the Coalition’s advocacy efforts, the Work Department created a keystone graphic that illustrates systemic inequities faced by low- and moderate-income homeowners. The graphic provides a clear and impactful visual narrative that links housing affordability, systemic disinvestment, and racial equity with the persistent racial wealth gap. Efforts to support homeownership, such as down payment assistance and first-time homebuyer programs, are not adequate tools to reduce the racial wealth gap. In addition to these resources, homeowners need maintenance and repair support as well.
Built in layers, the graphic illustrates how interconnected issues, such as aging housing stock, rising repair costs, and limited funding access compound to affect homeowners and their communities. Each layer adds depth to the story, emphasizing the urgent need for investment in home repair programs.
Unveiled at CHR’s ReFrame Conference 2024, the graphic supports the organization’s mission and can be used in presentations or reports to advance advocacy efforts.
