AGENDA - San Antonio Housing Authority

TRANSFORMATION PLANEASTSIDE CHOICE NEIGHBORHOOD TRANSFORMATION PLANPEOPLEA COMMUNITY VISION FORIMPROVED QUALITY OF LIFEUrban Strategies Inc. will serve as the leadagency for implementation of all effortsunder “People”. 1 The Choice NeighborhoodPeople planning principles are centered oneducation, safety, employment, economicmobility, social service support and healthand wellness efforts. These are essentialquality-of-life issues that directly impactresidents and are fundamental to communityrevitalization.1 Urban Strategies is based in St. Louis, MO, and works with Public HousingAuthorities across the country to creatively design and implementservices that address specialized needs of individuals and families and linkthem to a variety of relocation services. Detailed information can be foundat their website: http://www.urbanstrategiesinc.orgPeople GoalsDuring the public planning process andthrough discussions with community stakeholdersand partner organizations, a seriesof goals emerged that focused directly onquality-of-life issues:• Start with education…and improve it atevery level• Understand that People strategies canbe complex—create partnerships withorganizations that have a proven trackrecord• Strengthen the relationship with the City,San Antonio Police Department andother potential partners to promote andsupport a safe environment• Improve and create new workforcecareer ladder and growing industries;make job creation a priority for all newdevelopment initiatives• Make sure all residents have access tosocial services and healthcare• Promote and support health and wellnessinitiatives• Create community by promoting programsand neighborhood activities thathelp to bring people together. This willencourage neighborhood stability andcohesionFrom these goals, the following strategieswere developed.Residents worked together to prioritize strategies relating to quality of life issues within the study area.Increase Job Training/EmploymentOpportunitiesA neighborhood of Choice reflects incomediversity, and the ability to attract, retain,and train for high paying jobs. Overall, theStudy Area’s labor population totals 3,557 individualswith the majority working in service-basedpositions, such as Construction, Education andEntertainment & Food Service. The total number of32