HCD Releases Animated Video: Upstream Vs. Downstream
- mpack19
- 7 days ago
- 2 min read
Everyone in our communities deserves the opportunity to thrive. We can make that happen by investing more resources in addressing the root causes of poor health and well-being. As part of our efforts to educate community members, funders, and elected officials about the Vital Conditions, HCD released an animated video explaining the difference between upstream and downstream interventions. The video uses ‘the parable of upstream versus downstream’ to highlight what happens when we focus time, attention, and resources upstream to address the root cause of problems.
When we see people struggling downstream in a river, we want to throw them a life preserver, but that won’t change why they fell into the river in the first place. If the root cause of people falling into the river is a rickety bridge, we must go upstream to fix the bridge and prevent future victims. Lasting generational change is only possible if we go beyond urgent needs to solve problems upstream through investing in the Vital Conditions.
Service nonprofits, such as those that provide direct aid in the areas of health or food security, address downstream problems. This work is necessary and important, but it cannot solve the broken systems that still hold the root problems in place. Upstream interventions like building affordable housing or creating community-driven revitalization plans may be more expensive and take longer to show measurable outcomes, but they meaningfully disrupt the generational barriers to thriving communities.
In our previous grant cycles, HCD has funded upstream interventions in the form of revitalization and implementation plans, community beautification efforts, and resident-led community partnerships. One example of a nonprofit performing upstream work is NeighborGood’s “passive house” project. In 2024, HCD granted NeighborGood Partners $277,496 to undertake a planning effort that included the construction of 4 affordable, energy-efficient homes. These unique houses are designed to deliver healthy indoor air, consistent comfort and significantly lower utility bills to reduce monthly housing costs, supporting the Vital Condition of humane housing.
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