Walking groups. Research suggests that the built environment is a powerful influence on behaviors. Significant environmental barriers to walking, particularly among multi-cultural low-income women, have been well-documented and include lack of sense of safety and lack of places to exercise. Pilot work indicates that walking groups are well-accepted by public housing residents, with about 20% of residents participating across 4 housing complexes, reporting self-reported increases in days of walking and social cohesion. Walking groups were held weekly, with HLAs serving as walk group leaders and promoting the groups in the developments via flyers and word of mouth.