Data Day 2009: Using Data to Drive Community Change
July 15th, 2009, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Northeastern University
June 9, 2009 -- Learn how to research housing and demographics in your neighborhood, create custom maps using free tools, network with colleagues, and more, all for free at Data Day 2009.

The goal of Data Day is to help organizations and municipalities expand their capacity to use technology and data in innovative ways to advance their community's goals. This biennial conference is co-sponsored by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, the Boston Foundation, and Northeastern University. It serves as a way to come together with colleagues to see the latest in technology and tools and to highlight the ways in which community groups are already using data to support community change.

Data Day 2009 will feature hands-on interactive workshops on finding and using data, trainings and information about how to prepare for Census 2010 in your community, and presentations and exhibits on the latest technology and information resources. The day will provide an excellent professional development opportunity for organizations looking to get the most from their existing resources and staff.

The free conference will be held at Northeastern University on July 15th, 2009, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.. We will send a special announcement when the event registration website is launched. In the meantime, contact us if you have any questions or are interested in participating as a sponsor or presenter.

View the agenda or register online now.

User Profile -- Jaymie Saks, Community Consulting Teams
This month we are experimenting with a new question and answer format for our user profile.

Q: How did you use the MetroBoston DataCommon?

A: This spring, I volunteered with Community Consulting Teams (CCT). Founded in 1990, CCT is a volunteer organization that brings together business school graduates and non-profit organizations for the benefit of the greater Boston community. CCT has completed more than 100 pro bono management consulting projects for nonprofits in Greater Boston in the past 15 years.

Our client was a local youth mentoring organization. Our team was seeking demographic information for the Greater Boston area, so that the organization could see the cities and towns with the greatest demand for youth mentoring, and the communities with the largest number of potential mentors (which tend to be single people without children). Using the DataCommon site, we were able to provide maps to the client demonstrating various criteria such as number of students on free /reduced-price lunch and percentage of single-parent families. MAPC Analyst Rob Goodspeed also helped me to find Census data showing percentage of never-married adults by town (for identifying sources of mentors).

As we prepare the final presentation for our client, we will be creating overlayed maps that show them several different scenarios for focusing on communities that have the highest demand for their services, and those cities and towns which should be the focus of their recruiting efforts for mentors.

Q: What is your favorite feature or data set?

A: The ability to create color-coded maps quickly and easily. The free and reduced school lunches was a personal favorite!

Q: How can we improve?

A: I found the system complex at first. The user guides help, as did the training class, but I hope that you will continue to find ways to simplify the system to make it more intuitive.

To the right is an example map Jaymie created using the Recipients of Free or Reduced-Price School Lunch layer.

Datasets Updated
June 9, 2009 -- We have recently updated several data layers in our DataMap Tool with updated information.

In the Education folder:
-- The Schools layer has been updated, and the Libraries layer now features all branches in public library systems with more than one location.

In the Imagery folder:
-- The USGS Aerial Orthophotographs for 2008 has been added.

User Profile -- John Fitterer, Nuestra Comunidad CDC
May 12, 2009 -- Boston's Roxbury and North Dorchester neighborhood has been hard hit by the foreclosure crisis. According to the Boston Department of Neighborhood Development, over 20 percent of all real estate transactions in Roxbury and Dorchester were foreclosures in 2006, compared to 2.8 percent citywide.

"Our historical catchment area overlaps with some of the highest foreclosure areas in the city," explains John Fitterer, Nuestra Comunidad CDC's Director of Resource Development & External Affairs. "We're working in three different tiers of service in the community on this issue: we run a homeownership center with two full time foreclosure prevention counselors, we have community organizers working in the community, and are buying and redeveloping foreclosed properties."

Fitterer says the DataCommon has been a crucial tool to study mortgage lending and explain the community to funders and supporters. "We have found the DataCommon's subrime lending data strongly correlates to where foreclosures are happening," Fitterer explains. "When we meet with funders we provide them with a map illustrating subprime lending patterns in the neighborhood, together with the location of mass transit lines, schools, and other facilities."

Fitterer says the maps help explain why the community has struggled with disinvestment and the lack of services in the community. They are also beginning to explore the connections between lending and race and ethnicity, saying the group "considers the foreclosure crisis the next generation of redlining." Despite the long odds, their savvy use of data and proactive, hands-on approach is paying off. Among the 110 clients of the Foreclosure Prevention Program in 2007, 46 successfully avoided foreclosure.

Datasets Updated
May 12, 2009 -- We have recently updated several data layers in our DataMap Tool with updated information.


In the Housing folder:
-- Census Building Permits for 5+ Family Housing has been updated for 2007.

In the Public Health folder:
-- Total Deaths and Total Births for each municipality for 2007.

In the Economy folder:
-- The Unemployment Rate by municipality layer has been updated to include 2008.

User Profile -- Jennifer Dobruck, Crittenton Women's Union
April 14, 2009 -- Dedicated to moving low-income women and families out of poverty and into personal and economic independence, Boston's Crittenton Women's Union offers a range in programs in housing, education, workforce development, and life skills and family support. As the group's Associate Director of Research and Innovation, Jennifer Dobruck uses data to better understand the communities they serve and evaluate program success.

After attending a training session, Dobruck turned to the DataCommon for economic, social, and demographic data. "We were applying for a Department of Justice grant for funding for one of our domestic violence transitional services," Dobruck says, "and the DataCommon helped us pull data about where the community was coming from. It really helped put the program and community in context for the funder in the federal government." The group's grant application included educational attainment, poverty, race and ethnicity, and demographic composition of the neighborhood where the program is located.

In addition to using the DataCommon for neighborhood-level data, the Crittenton Women's Union is exploring other applications, such as using educational attainment data to plan outreach for their GED program, or using employment projections as part of their job training program. "There's so much more we could use this for," says Dobruck.

Datasets Updated
April 14, 2009 -- We have recently updated several data layers in our DataMap Tool with updated information.

In the Housing folder:
-- Cenus Building Permits Data now includes 2007 and Banker and Tradesman Housing Sales Data has been updated to include 2008.

In the Education folder:
-- Recipients of Reduced-Price or Free School Lunches has been updated.

In the Zoning and Land Use folder:
-- The Open Space layer has been updated.

Feel free to contact us to notify us of data errors or find out if an update is available for any existing data layers.

User Profile -- Keith Shoneman, Real Estate Appraiser
March 10, 2009 -- Acton-based real estate appraiser Keith Shoneman uses a wide variety of information to evaluate the value of land and buildings. In order to quickly obtain statistics about a municipality and integrated multiple data sources, he turns to the DataCommon website. "As an appraiser, the key thing is to be able to access data fairly quickly," says Shoneman, "I need to understand some of the physical characteristics of the land, overall multiple characteristics at once, and add notes to the map." Shoneman noted using the DataCommon he could quickly pull up the town's demographics and residential housing sales trends using the community snapshot. Using the mapping tool, he overlays municipal boundaries and multiple environmental layers to assess what environmental restrictions may be present to restrict future development. After displaying the location of wetlands, vernal pools, and wildlife habitats, Shoneman notes he can draw in rough parcel boundaries or make other notes using the drawing tools. "Having the drawing tool, transparency options, and data I need all in one place is very useful. ... The bottom line is [the DataCommon] is another data tool that provides us the information we need to understand any particular property we're working on."

Datasets Updated
March 10, 2009 -- We have recently updated several data layers with updated information.

In the Public Health folder:
-- Total Births has been updated to include 2006 and 2007 for all municipalities statewide -- Total Deaths has been updated to include 2006 for all municipalities statewide (2007 will be added as soon as it is available)

In the Civic Vitality and Governance folder:
-- The Registered Voters layer now includes the number of registered voters, and proportion registered under major political parties, at the time of the 2008 election

In the Education folder under "Quick Maps":
-- The Recipients of Reduced-Price or Free School Lunch layer now includes data from 2003-2004 to 2006-2007 school years.

We continue to updated the DataCommon and will have more to announce next month. Feel free to contact us to notify us of data errors or find out if an update is available for any existing data layers.

User Profile - Paul Yorkis, Patriot Real Estate
Jan. 15, 2009 -- As a real estate agent in Medway, Paul Yorkis frequently talks to people planning to move their homes and businesses in the metropolitan Boston region. "I want buyers and sellers to have as much information as possible," Yorkis says, "in order to make the best decisions possible." The MetroBoston DataCommon provides his company with accurate, comprehensive profiles of Medway and other municipalities in the region. MAPC is "highly credible," Yorkis says, and the DataCommon "makes it easy for a layperson to gain access to a tremendous amount of information in the MAPC region." He includes the DataCommon's Community Profiles in commercial and residential listings, and refers his clients to the website to research communities. His company, Patriot Real Estate, publishes the Medway Community Guide each year for town residents. Designed to be a useful reference, it includes information about local government services, useful facts and forms, and a directory of useful businesses, and a copy of the MetroBoston DataCommon community profile for Medway (PDF), providing both residents and prospective homebuyers alike a unique compilation of statistics about the town.

Regional Maps from MAPC's 2009 Calendar and Annual Report Now Available
Dec. 15, 2008 -- The twelve regional maps featured in Metropolitan Perspectives 2009, MAPC's Calendar and Annual Report, are now available in the Regional Map Gallery. This popular publication features maps and charts focusing on issues of regional significant in Metropolitan Boston, as well as MAPC's projects. This year's calendar features maps on topics including subprime mortgage lending, mixed-use zoning, recycling rates (right), and retail parking requirements. The maps can be downloaded in PDF format from the Regional Map Gallery, and hard copies of the calendar can be requested from MAPC by emailing Lorraine See.

User Profile - Dr. Matthew Liebman, Suffolk University
Dec. 8, 2008 -- Suffolk University adjunt Dr. Matthew Liebman had a problem. He wanted to expose the students in his Introduction to Environmental Science class to the power of a modern Geographic Information Systems (GIS), but only had one class period to do it. He needed something easy to use and free, but powerful enough to demonstrate the analysis possible through GIS.

After reviewing several online mapping tools, he settled on the MetroBoston DataCommon DataMap Tool. The online mapping tool contains over 20 layers about environmental topics, including wetlands, streams, hiking and biking trails, and endangered species habitats. The tool also allowed him to demonstrate the ability of GIS to display several layers simultaneously to complete an analysis by combining the environmental information with data about transportation and population. Liebman points out it also worked more reliably than other tools available, and did not require installing any special software to use.

During the laboratory class, the students explored the available data layers, displayed a population density gradient, and used the advanced tools to measure distance and create polygons. The students were then assigned to create a map using three different data layers. The student map to the right shows population, train routes, and major ponds.

New Data - Municipal Broadband Availability, 2007
Nov. 21, 2008 - A new data layer from the Massachusetts Broadband Initiative contains information about broadband accessibility in each Massachusetts municipality, collected by the John Adams Innovation Institute in June 2007. It contains the following fields: the primary cable provider, availability of multiple cable providers, fiber to the premises (FTTP), DSL, and WIFI. It also includes information about Internet access at the Town Hall. After collecting this information, the John Adams Innovation Institute assigned each community a category: unserved (no access), underserved (limited access), monopoly (one provider), duopoly (two providers), competitive (three or more providers). Access this information in the DataMap Tool under "Data by Topic" and "Technology."

New Data - FY 2008 Foreclosure Auctions by Municipality
Nov. 18, 2008 - This timely new dataset features the number of foreclosure auctions in each municipality in the state. Although it does not include the many homes in the lengthy foreclosure process, it is an essential resources for planners interested in understanding the foreclosure crisis in our state. The data is derived from information produced by the Warren Group that was compiled by Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). The data was released as part of DHCD's planning process to distribute the state's allocation of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program funds. The dataset includes for each municipality the number of foreclosure auctions in FY2008, the percent of all foreclosure auctions in the state, number of Block Groups within the municipality with 10 foreclosure auctions, number of housing units from Census 2000, and the number of foreclosure auctions per thousand housing units. To view the data, launch the DataMap Tool to the left and look under "Data by Topic" and "Housing."

Use the DataCommon for Suburban Mobility/TDM Grant Applications
Nov. 12, 2008 - Wish your town had more public transit options? The Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) has made $650,000 available to suburban municipalities, unserved or underserved by public transit to develop suburban mobility programs. Now in its fourth year, the process for applying for funding for FY2009 starts soon. Letters of interest from applicants are due on December 4th, and the final application is due April 2nd. The DataMap Tool contains a special collection of data related to suburban transportation planning. The data layers can be found in the DataMap tool under the Special Datasets folder, Suburban Mobility/TDM. Click here for more details on the program.

New Data - 2008 Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment Test Results
Nov. 7, 2008 - The education section of the DataCommon Tool now contains Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment (MCAS) testing results from the 2007-2008 school year. With the new test results, the following are available for comparison: 3rd Grade Reading/English Language Arts Proficiency from 2001 to 2008, 4th and 10th Grade Math and English Language Arts proficiency from 2001 to 2008, as well as proficiency rates for selected special populations for the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 school years. The DataCommon scores are for the public school systems serving each of the 101 MAPC communities, scores from private or charter schools are available on the Department of Education website.

User Profile - Meg Kiely
Oct. 29, 2008 -- When Federal Reserve bank officials announced a visit to Chelsea to see the local effects of the foreclosure crisis, the staff of a local nonprofit turned to the MetroBoston DataCommon to create a map illustrating where they were focusing their efforts

Chelsea Neighborhood Developers (CND) Senior Project Manager Meg Kiely wanted to create a map to use for a neighborhood tour for Federal Reserve Governor Randall Krosner and Federal Reserve Bank of Boston President Eric Rosengren. The Federal Reserve officials wanted an on-the-ground understanding of how the foreclosure crisis was impacting neighborhoods and learn more about the group's work to prevent foreclosures. Using the DataMap Tool's aerial photography and drawing tools, Meg Kiely created a custom map to use for the visit. "It enabled us to show them the neighborhoods that where hardest hit, where we were focusing our efforts."

A nonprofit community development corporation, Chelsea Neighborhood Developers builds affordable housing, fosters social capital in the community, provides financial literacy training, and engages residents in community-based revitalization. "We use data to identify need, respond to issues happening in the neighborhood, and for funding applications," Kiely said. In particular, their Housing and Community Development program uses data to target which neighborhoods are facing many foreclosures, and their Resident Asset Development program analyses local economic and ethnic patterns to customize their outreach.

After using the tool to create the map, Kiely planned a DataCommon training for the entire staff. On October 1, the staff completed a hands-on training where they explored newly available subprime lending data. Kiely pointed out the MetroBoston DataCommon has many data sets available, but observes "people need to be encouraged to use it." To inquire about arranging a MetroBoston DataCommon training for your class, community organization or other group, please contact us.

Boston Globe Features Census Response Rates Data
Oct. 22, 2008 -- MAPC data and analysis is featured in a front-page story in today's Boston Globe. The story, "Mass. Fears a Gap in Census," discussed how the political climate surrounding immigration could make an accurate count difficult for the 2010 census, impacting the amount of federal funds allocated to the state. The story also features this short video by MAPC President and Chelsea City Manager Jay Ash.



Click here to read the article.

New Data - Census 2000 Mail-in Response Rates
Oct. 14, 2008 -- A new data set available through the DataMap Tool shows the percentage of homes who returned the census form mailed to them by the U.S. Census Bureau in 2000 in every census tract in the state. Every ten years, the U.S. Census Bureau mails questionnaires to most households. The Census Bureau does not mail forms to some addresses, including areas with seasonal addresses or group quarters. Census workers collect information about households who do not receive a form, who do not respond to the mailed form, in person or by phone. Because this extra effort costs time and money, higher mail response rates allow the Census Bureau to focus follow-up activities where they are most needed to ensure a complete and accurate count.

Census 2000 mail-in response rates varied widely in our state. The average for all Census tracts was 75.8%. The highest response rates were found in 19 tracts where over 90% of all surveys were returned by mail. The lowest response rates were below 50%, and the tract with the lowest mail response rate in the state was in the city of Boston. Tracts with lower response rates are generally comprised of hard-to-count populations such as students, renters, new immigrants, and households where English is a second language.

U.S. Census population statistics determine the size of the state’s congressional delegation and Massachusetts's share of over $300 billion of annual federal funding. Public outreach can help residents understand how important the Census is and how the confidentiality of responses is protected. For more information on the next census see http://www.census.gov/2010census/.

The new data set is available in the DataMap Tool as a Quick Map under General Population Statistics.

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