Midwest

Columbus is addressing rising housing instability that disproportionately impacts BIPOC communities, recent immigrants, and residents in underserved neighborhoods. The Columbus Department of Development is engaging FUSE Executive Fellow Nicole Jackson to develop a data-driven early warning system that identifies key factors contributing to housing insecurity, such as rising rents, predatory... Read more

Columbus, OH, is confronting a growing mental health crisis, with vulnerable communities—especially Black residents and low-income households—facing disproportionate challenges in accessing care due to systemic barriers like transportation, stigma, and financial constraints. Columbus Public Health (CPH) is leading efforts to bridge these gaps through programs addressing postpartum mental health, social... Read more

Columbus is advancing its Comprehensive Neighborhood Safety Strategy 2.0 by incorporating cutting-edge public safety sensor technologies to build stronger, safer neighborhoods through transparency and community collaboration. These technologies—such as real-time cameras, noise sensors, and license plate readers—offer the potential to enhance police response and public safety. However, to ensure responsible... Read more

In response to the pervasive issues of blighted properties affecting neighborhoods and economies, the City of Cleveland is embarking on a transformative initiative. With 30% of the city’s land in public hands, the aim is to convert vacant brownfields into accessible jobs, capitalizing on Cleveland’s industrial heritage. FUSE Executive Fellow... Read more

The community of Cincinnati aims to accelerate its transition to renewable energy and electrification to achieve the newly established goals of carbon neutrality. With the provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), Cincinnati has the opportunity to address energy inequities and leverage... Read more

The Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas (UG) is dedicated to addressing climate risks and developing a resilience plan that protects the citizens of Kansas City, Kansas (KCK) and the built environment. This endeavor requires interdisciplinary and intersectional approaches, including culture change strategies to engage stakeholders who... Read more

The Cincinnati/Hamilton County community has identified a pressing need for transitioning to a sustainable, green economy, specifically creating quality green jobs. This was a significant finding during the community engagement process of the 2023 Green Cincinnati Plan. The project aims to support low-income communities by creating training programs, career development... Read more

Kansas City, Missouri, is preparing to host the FIFA Men's World Cup in 2026 and recognizes the importance of addressing potential human rights impacts that may arise from the tournament. The City is establishing a Human Rights Advisory Council to support this effort, which will work closely with FIFA officials.... Read more

The community in Northern Cleveland is trying to solve the lack of equitable access to green space, particularly for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) residents. Despite the shoreline on Lake Erie offering natural amenities and recreational areas, it is cut off from the city by railroads, a highway,... Read more

In June 2022, FIFA (the international body that governs professional soccer) announced that Kansas City, MO would host the 2026 World Cup. Kansas City has four years to prepare for a large influx of visitors from around the world. A core component of the KC2026 bid was sustainability: they want... Read more