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i. Racially or Ethnically Concentrated Areas of Poverty (R/ECAPs) <br />R/ECAPs are geographic areas with significant concentrations of poverty and minority <br />populations. HUD has developed a census -tract based definition of R/ECAPs. In terms of racial or <br />ethnic concentration, R/ECAPs are areas with a non-White population of 50 percent or more. With <br />regards to poverty, R/ECAPs are census tracts in which 40 percent or more of individuals are living <br />at or below the poverty limit or that have a poverty rate three times the average poverty rate for <br />the metropolitan area, whichever threshold is lower. <br />Where one lives has a substantial effect on mental and physical health, education, crime levels, <br />and economic opportunity. Urban areas that are more residentially segregated by race and income <br />tend to have lower levels of upward economic mobility than other areas. Research has found that <br />racial inequality is thus amplified by residential segregation. Concentrated poverty is also <br />associated with higher crime rates and worse health outcomes. However, these areas may also offer <br />some opportunities as well. Individuals may actively choose to settle in neighborhoods containing <br />R/ECAPs due to proximity to job centers and access to public services. Ethnic enclaves in <br />particular may help immigrants build a sense of community and adapt to life in the U.S. The <br />businesses, social networks, and institutions in ethnic enclaves may help immigrants preserve their <br />cultural identities while providing a variety of services that allow them to establish themselves in <br />their new homes. Overall, identifying R/ECAPs is important in order to better understand <br />entrenched patterns of segregation and poverty. <br />a) Identify any RIECAPs or groupings of RECAP tracts within the jurisdiction and Region. <br />131 <br />75A-410 <br />