How to Use the Location Opportunity Footprint Tool

The SparkMap Location Opportunity Footprint Tool (“LOFT”) identifies areas where opportunities exist by finding neighborhoods with proficient schools, job opportunities, and low housing and transportation costs. The underlying data used in this tool are from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Location Affordability Index Program (Version 3.0) and the HUD School Proficiency Index.

Access the LOFT

Use the LOFT

Overlay Other Map Layers

Generate Demographic Report

Step 1 – Access the Location Opportunity Footprint Tool

Open the Map Room.

Navigate to a location of interest by zooming into the map, or searching for a location in the bottom right search bar.

Navigate to Tools on the left-hand menu and select “Location Opportunity Footprint” (Figure 1).

Map Room Tool menu with red arrow pointing to Location Opportunity Footprint tool
Figure 1: Location Opportunity Footprint Tool in the Map Room Tools pane

Looking to create a ZIP code-level Community Needs Assessment? You can do so with a Premium Annual Subscription. Already a Premium Annual Subscriber? Check out our tutorial, How to Build A ZIP Code-Level Community Needs Assessment.

Step 2 – Use the LOFT

Once you’ve opened the Tool, the map will populate with colors representing different thresholds (Figure 2). Areas that meet two or more of the thresholds will be highlighted in purple.

Location Opportunity Footprint on Map showing green and purple areas that meet criteria
Figure 2: Little Rock, AR, with the Location Opportunity Footprint enabled
  • Light purple ( ) represents areas that meet 2 of the 3 criteria
  • Dark purple ( ) represents areas that meet all 3 criteria
Location Opportunity Footprint indicator threshold slider menu

The indicators used in this tool determine levels of opportunity in three domains:

  • School Proficiency Index Score
  • Job Gravity Score
  • Monthly Cost of Housing and Transportation for Family at 50% AMI

Once you’ve loaded the LOFT, adjust the indicator threshold values using the sliders (Figure 3). The map will dynamically populate areas that meet the updated thresholds.

This tool allows users to adjust for spatial variation and relative importance of the three opportunity factors. For example, to prioritize the proficiency of schools, slide the first meter to a higher value. To prioritize affordability, slide the last meter to a lower value.

LOFT for Little Rock, AR with sliders changed
Figure 3: Location of indicator threshold sliders, showing threshold sliders adjusted

We recommend that you adjust these thresholds based on the unique conditions of the area you are examining.

Step 3 – Overlay Other Map Layers

You can easily add other layers to your map with this tool. Click the “Add Data” tab on the left menu to start adding layers to your map.

SNAP Authorized retailer locations overlayed on LOFT with blue points
Figure 4: SNAP-Authorized Retailers data added to LOFT data for Little Rock, AR

For our example here, we chose SNAP-Authorized Retailers – the SNAP layer and the LOFT are now both visible on our map (Figure 4). Using additional data can help provide a more robust assessment of opportunities in your area of interest.

Step 4 – Generate a Demographic Report

The LOFT also includes a handy Quick Report that summarizes demographic information as well as additional population data.

In the Footprint Map Layer pane, click the “Quick Report” button (Figure 5).

Red arrow showing Quick Report button
Figure 5: Button location to generate Quick Report

This report contains the generated map, legend, basic demographic information, race/ethnicity breakouts, gender/age breakouts, and more detail about the vulnerable populations.

*Note: Only areas of your map view that meet all three threshold criteria will be included in the Quick Report.

You can continue to add additional layers, save, export, or share your map. For more information on how to use the Map Room, explore our other support materials.