AGENDA - San Antonio Housing Authority

THE EASTSIDE CHOICE NEIGHBORHOOD TODAYEASTSIDE CHOICE NEIGHBORHOOD TRANSFORMATION PLANPEOPLEThe Transformation Plan builds from existingassets, e.g., microloans by San Antoniofor Growth on the Eastside for new businessstarts; internal and external workforce developmenttraining and adult education; proximityto two major employment centers (FortSam Houston and downtown); and, significantinvestments by the City in the targetarea. The Eastside Choice Neighborhood isaligned with the Eastside Promise Neighborhood,SA2020 (a citywide strategic planningprocess), and the Eastside ReinvestmentSummit organized by a City CouncilwomanTaylor and Mayor Julian Castro.Positive outcomes for Wheatley propertyresidents will be achieved through on-sitecase management providing a range ofneeded services and backed by a network ofSAHA and San Antonio Community ServiceProviders. In response to community identifiedneeds and resident interest in obtainingemployment, a particular emphasis will beon expanding job readiness, training andplacement programs through SAHA’s Movingto Work Program, Goodwill Industries’ GoodCareers Academy, and St. Philips College.Improved access to health care and servicesaimed at improving resident healthwill occur through expansion of Healthservices, better connection to the FrankBryant Health Center, and programmedgreen spaces around the neighborhood. Akey partner to the Eastside Choice NeighborhoodInitiative and sister grant is UnitedWay’s Eastside Promise Neighborhood,which will implement cradle to college/career programs for children, youth andadults.Urban Strategies case management teamwill coordinate closely with the EPN team toensure that family supports enhance comprehensiveeducational efforts and create acommunity of Choice. Public safety will beimproved by more consistent, positive communicationbetween law enforcement andresidentsThe aggregation of these new, enhancedand expanded resources, augmented by thearea’s proximity to downtown and major employmentcenters, will trigger a resurgenceof the area’s popularity for families and individualsof all ages. The longest-term resultwill be an Eastside community whose assetsare owned and managed by its residentslong after Choice is gone. 11 Source: United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County Website -UnitedWay awarded $24.6 million Eastside Promise Neighborhood implementationgrant18