Growing connections between Housing, Health, and Social Design.

On February 28, 2025, an inspiring narrative workshop was held with MFA DSI social designers and medical residents from the Montefiore Primary Care & Social Internal Medicine Residency program. The goal was to co-design narratives that support the connection between housing and health and support advocacy for tenant rights in our Bronx Communities.

Our community partner, Northwest Bronx Community & Clergy Coalition (NWBCCC), is working to give Bronx residents more control over their housing through the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA) legislation. Collectively, we discussed how medical and design leaders can use our strengths to be community advocates, explored how stable and affordable housing and support better health, and designed communications that would increase awareness and energy around TOPA.

After the workshop, Montefiore residents met tenants from a community-owned housing in the Bronx to hear firsthand their experience with tenant ownership. MFA DSI students and alums are supporting this effort through the redesign of community engagement materials. Watch this space!