Back to Our Work

Place

Our approach to improving where we live focuses on two influential social factors: housing and digital access.

Where we live impacts how healthy we are.

We are building health and wealth by improving access to safe, healthy, and affordable housing and homeownership. We’re also working to ensure everyone has the access and knowledge required to use digital tools.

Key Strategies

Outcomes

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Accordion Content
  • Increased supply of — and access to — safe, healthy, and affordable housing
  • Adoption of policies that improve or expand access to housing and maintain homeownership
  • Greater funding opportunities for homeownership and creation of housing stock
Accordion Content
  • Adoption of policies and practices that promote digital equity
  • Increased accessibility and affordability of high speed internet
  • Increased digital literacy and skills
  • Increased use of digital services (e.g. telehealth)

Our intended impact

The impact we seek will not happen overnight. We know change is possible if we come together as a community and strategically focus our efforts to move toward systems that benefit all of us.

High-quality, equitable community health ecosystem

Strong community organizations and voices

Equitable and just places that foster health and economic advancement

View our purpose, mission, and values

News and updates

Keep up-to-date with our latest news.

View All News

Funding Announcement

Health Forward awards $1.3 million to support healthy, affordable housing across Kansas City region

June 23, 2025

Funding Announcement

Health Forward gifts $515,000 to provide greater economic opportunities through increased access to broadband

April 3, 2025

Funding Announcement

Health Forward awards $1.6 million to support healthy and affordable homeownership opportunities

September 26, 2024

News Release

New report reveals high economic risk of anti-DEI laws in Kansas and Missouri

February 29, 2024

Meet our team

Our team reflects the communities it serves, from the Board of Directors to our committed staff. Meet the team that makes our work in this purpose area possible.

McClain Bryant Macklin, JD MBA
Chief Policy and Impact Officer
Adriana M. Pecina, M.S. Ed.
Impact Strategist – Place
Jennifer Tidwell
Principal Impact Strategist – Place
John Tramel, MSW
Impact Strategist – Place

Funded partners

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  • Groundwork NRG
  • Heartland Center for Jobs and Freedom, Inc.
  • Heartland Center for Jobs and Freedom, Inc.
  • KC Tenants
  • Neighborhood Legal Support Of Kansas City
  • PCs for People Kansas City LLC
  • STW Charities, Inc.
  • Thrive Allen County
  • Truman Medical Center (dba University Health) Charitable Foundation
  • United Community Services of Johnson County, Inc.
  • Urban Neighborhood Initiative

Request a consultation

Health Forward welcomes and encourages conversations to learn more about your organization, your work, or an idea that may align with our strategic purpose areas — People, Power, Place, and Platform.

Schedule a conversation

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