The Promise of Promise Zones
In the Summer of 2015 HUD will publish a Notice in the Federal Register requesting public comment on the proposed selection process, criteria, and submissions for the third and final round of the Promise Zones initiative. This notice will provide urban, rural, and tribal communities the opportunity to help shape the third round application guide and efforts to support other communities more effectively in future years.
Early in 2015 the Obama Administration announced eight additional Promise Zones across the country; six cities, one rural area, and one tribal community. Promise Zones are high poverty communities where the federal government partners with local leaders to increase economic activity, improve educational opportunities, leverage private investment, reduce violent crime, enhance public health and address other priorities identified by the community. Through the Promise Zone designation, these communities will work directly with federal, state and local agencies to give local leaders proven tools to improve the quality of life in some of the country’s most vulnerable areas.
The new Promise Zone designations are in the following communities:
- Camden, New Jersey
- Hartford, Connecticut
- Indianapolis, Indiana
- Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Sacramento, California
- St. Louis/St. Louis County, Missouri
- Pine Ridge Indian Reservation of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, South Dakota
- South Carolina Low Country
I live near Sacramento, CA. The Sacramento Promise Zone encompasses some of the economically hardest-hit neighborhoods in the city – from Del Paso Heights in the North Area to The Avenues in the South County. More than 30% of residents in the Promise Zone have yet to achieve a High School diploma or GED. Nearly a quarter of the residents are foreign born with limited English proficiency. The Promise Zone has alarmingly high unemployment and mortality rates.
As the lead applicant, the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency,
in partnership with key partners, will work to coordinate resources, build
capacity and create public-private partnerships to drive area revitalization. The
partners have adopted the following five goals to improve the quality of life and
accelerate revitalization.
• Create Jobs
• Increase Economic Activity
• Improve Educational Opportunities
• Improve Health and Wellness
• Facilitate Neighborhood Revitalization
Does your community qualify as a Promise Zone? Please feel free to contact us for assistance in determining if your area is a good fit for this funding.