NVCOG Equity Explorer

Our analysis is based on research conducted to identify and better understand the Naugatuck Valley’s underserved or disadvantaged communities in relation to the environmental justice and equity analyses completed at the federal and state levels. During the analysis, NVCOG staff identified relevant datasets from the following federal and state agency sources pertaining to equity and environmental justice:  

• White House Justice 40 Initiative 

• U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Justice 40 

• U.S. DOT’s Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) areas of Persistent Poverty and Historically Disadvantaged Communities 

• Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Title IX Program 

• Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) EJScreen 

• Connecticut Department of Economic Community Development’s (DECD) Distressed Communities  

• the State of Connecticut’s Environmental Justice communities from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) 

• Connecticut Institute for Resilience & Climate Adaption’s (CIRCA) Environmental Justice Screening Tool 

Access to the geospatial resources for the above programs is available on the External Resources of the Maps & Data page,  under the “Environmental Justice Data & Tools” tab.

NVCOG used Census Tracts as the geographic boundaries for the equity analysis. The U.S. Census Bureau recommends using tract-level data where there is less population density, such as is the case in Connecticut. Using Census tracts, the NVCOG analysis can be easily compared and aligned with the analyses conducted by the Justice 40 initiative and EPA.   Sixteen key socioeconomic and environmental indicators were examined to provide insights into disparities and inequalities across different geographic areas and demographic groups. The equity indicators outlined in Table 1 were selected following an evaluation of Title VI/Environmental Justice guidelines alongside comparable anti-discrimination regulations, the accessibility of data, insights from peer agencies undertaking similar initiatives, and an assessment of the COG’s ongoing priorities.

A composite scoring system was used for this analysis. Each indicator was assigned a score of 1 or 2, reflecting its significance in the overall equity analysis. Factors such as historical disparities and policy priorities were considered when assigning a score to different indicators. NVCOG determined that required populations would receive a higher score than the other population groups. Required populations are those population groups for which analyses are required to comply with federal laws and guidance relating to Title VI, E.O. 12898, and E.O. 13166 (minority, low income, and Limited English Proficient). Beyond these required populations, NVCOG assigned a score of 2 to the severely cost-burdened households considering the extreme impact on the residents.  A household that is severely cost burdened is spending more than 50% of their income on housing costs, meaning these households have less to spend on other household costs including transportation, healthcare, education, food, and the like. A score of one is assigned to each of the twelve remaining indicators.

Analysis for each indicator is completed for every Census tract in Connecticut. The mean and standard deviation are calculated for each individual indicator. An assigned score of 0 is given to any Census tract less than one standard deviation above the mean on any individual indicator. A Census tract that equals or is greater than one standard deviation above the mean on a specific indicator will receive a score of 1 or 2, determined by the value given in Table 1. An overall Equity Score is calculated for each Census tract by adding up all the individual indicator scores within that geographic boundary. The maximum possible Equity Score is 20. The Equity Score allows for the ranking and comparison of different tracts, highlighting disparities and identifying areas in need of targeted interventions. Communities with a total combination of indicators at or above a score of 6 are deemed to face greater challenges compared to those with scores below that marker, therefore these communities are identified as Equity Emphasis Communities.

Socioeconomic Indicators 

• Race & Ethnicity (ACS 2018-2022 5-Year Estimates) 

• • The percent of individuals who list their racial status as a race other than white alone and/or list their ethnicity as Hispanic or Latino. In other words, all people other than non-Hispanic white-alone individuals are in the minority. 

• Limited English Proficiency (ACS 2018-2022 5-Year Estimates) 

• • The percentage of the population over the age of 5 with limited English proficiency (LEP). 

• Living in Poverty (ACS 2018-2022 5-Year Estimates) 

• • The percentage of the population with incomes below 200% of the federal poverty level. 

• Elderly Population (ACS 2018-2022 5-Year Estimates) 

• • The percentage of population aged 65 or older. 

• Educational Attainment (ACS 2018-2022 5-Year Estimates) 

• • The percentage of the population 25 years old and over whose educational experience was not enough to earn a high school diploma or equivalent. 

• Disability (ACS 2018-2022 5-Year Estimates) 

• • The percentage of the population with a disability. 

• Unemployment (ACS 2018-2022 5-Year Estimates) 

• • The percentage of the population over the age of 16 who are unemployed. 

• Tenure: Renter-Owner Ratio (ACS 2018-2022 5-Year Estimates) 

• • The percentage of renter-occupied housing units. 

• Housing Cost as Percent of Income (ACS 2018-2022 5-Year Estimates) 

• • The percentage of household income spent on housing. If 30% to 49.9% of a household’s income is spent on housing costs, that household is deemed cost burdened. If the household spends 50% or more of its income on housing costs, that household is severely cost-burdened. 

• Vehicle Availability (ACS 2018-2022 5-Year Estimates) 

• • The percentage of households with no access to a vehicle. 

Environmental Indicators 

• Proximity to Brownfields (EPA EJScreen) 

• • The count and distance to listed brownfield sites from the Connecticut Brownfield List. 

• Proximity to Superfund Sites (EPA Superfund National Priorities List) 

• • Ranking of the distance to the proposed or listed NPL – also known as superfund – sites within 5 miles. The ranking is as follows:
    • If the Census tract is within a half mile of a site, it ranks as 5.
    • If the Census tract is within one mile of a site, it ranks as 4. 
    • If the Census tract is within two miles of a site, it ranks 3.
    • If the Census tract is within three miles of a site, it ranked 4.
    • If the Census tract is within five miles of a site, it ranks 1.

• Particle pollution from fine particulates (PM 2.5) Levels (EPA EJScreen) 

• • The annual average of the levels of Particle pollution from fine particulates, commonly known as PM 2.5, is the presence of fine particles or particulate matter (having a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less) in the surrounding air from sources like burning fossil fuels, vehicle emissions, and road dust. EPA sets an ambient air quality target of 9.0 PPM (parts per million) or less for PM 2.5. More information about PM 2.5 can be found on the EPA website.

• Ozone Levels (EPA EJScreen) 

• • Average of the annual top ten daily maximum 8-hour ozone concentrations in air.  New Haven and Fairfield Counties are considered “maintenance areas” for conformity, meaning that all transportation projects occurring within the area have to be modeled to ensure they won’t exceed emission limits set by EPA for the area. The Connecticut Department of Transportation creates Air Quality Control reports for the state.

• Traffic Density (EPA EJScreen) 

• • Count of vehicles (AADT, avg. annual daily traffic) on major roads within 500 feet, divided by length of segment in feet. The statistic in the Explorer is AADT/feet.

Councils of Governments (COGs) and Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) play a crucial role in fostering collaboration among local and regional governments to address common challenges and achieve shared goals. In order to ensure that the planning and implementation processes are inclusive, fair, and beneficial to all communities, especially underserved and marginalized groups, COGs and MPOs adhere to various federal equity policies.  

Title VI Program

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. This policy ensures that federally funded projects and initiatives implemented by COGs are carried out in a non-discriminatory manner. As a direct recipient of FTA funds and FTA grant recipient for the Valley Transit District’s capital program, the NVCOG is required to follow Title VI rules with respect to its transit capital and planning program as well as the host agency of the CNVMPO and as the co-host and participating agency member of the Greater Bridgeport and Valley MPO.  

NVCOG updates its Title VI and Environmental Justice analysis triennially. The most recent update was published and endorsed by the NVCOG Board in June 2022. 

Environmental Justice (EJ) Executive Order 12898 

Environmental Justice amplifies the provisions found in Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Executive Order 12898 directs federal agencies and federally funded agencies to develop strategies to address disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects of their programs on minority and low-income populations. EJ advocates for the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people in environmental decision-making processes.  

The NVCOG updated and adopted the Environmental Justice Policy for the Naugatuck Planning Region in October 2020. The policy embodies the Environmental Justice provisions as set forth by E.O 12898.  

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990: 

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. MPOs must ensure that their transportation plans and projects are accessible to individuals with disabilities and provide reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access to transportation resources.  

Executive Order (EO) 14008: “Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad” 

Executive Order (EO) 14008 created a government wide “Justice40 Initiative” that aims to deliver 40 percent of the overall benefits of relevant federal investments to disadvantaged communities. The Justice40 Initiative is also aligned with the goals of EO 13985, “Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government,” and will be implemented as part of the USDOT’s broader equity agenda. 

Executive Order 13985: Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government: 

Executive Order 13985 aims to promote equity for all, including people of color and others who have been historically underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality. 

Executive Order # 13166: Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency 

Executive Order # 13166 requires agencies to ensure that limited English proficiency persons are able to meaningfully access the services provided consistent with and without unduly burdening the fundamental mission of each federal agency.  

NVCOG completed a Language Assistance Plan as part of the Title VI Plan development, using the “Four Factor Analysis” detailed in the FTA Title VI Circular. The process requires the NVCOG to determine the number and proportion of the population with Limited English Proficiency (LEP). The LEP analysis also determined if certain non-English speaking populations required special consideration under the Department of Justice’s Safe Harbor provision. Safe Harbor provisions apply if the eligible LEP population in a given language exceeds 5% or 1,000 members of the eligible population for transit district’s services. If these thresholds are attained, vital written materials will be translated to accommodate their needs.