A Promise Zone is a federal program designed to pair federal government partners with local leaders to streamline resources across agencies and deliver comprehensive support to designated Promise Zones.

The targeted 6.4 square mile area encompasses a stretch of San Diego from East Village and Barrio Logan in the west extending to Encanto and Emerald Hills in the east with a current population of over 80,000 residents.

This zone is characterized by high unemployment, low educational attainment, insufficient access to healthy foods, concentrated poverty, rising crime, high rates of youth unemployment, and the least affordable housing in the nation.

The City of San Diego is the lead agency with implementing partners including Civic San Diego, County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation, San Diego Housing Commission, San Diego Unified School District, and San Diego Workforce Partnership and over 70 additional supporting partners including: BAME CDC (Bethel Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Community Development Corp.), Barrio Logan College Institute, Family Health Centers of San Diego; Home Start; International Rescue Committee; Jackie Robinson YMCA; Kitchens for Good; LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation); MAAC (Metropolitan Area Advisory Council); National University; Project New Village; Reality Changers; SANDAG (San Diego Regional Association of Governments); San Diego Futures Foundation; San Diego Grantmakers; San Diego Youth Development Office; San Ysidro Health Center; SAY (Social Advocates for Youth) San Diego; Second Chance; University of California, San Diego; Urban Collaborative Project; Urban Corps of San Diego County; Urban League of San Diego County; and Workshop for Warriors.

The goals include job creation, increasing economic activity, improving educational outcomes, increasing access to affordable housing, reducing serious and violent crime, increasing access to healthcare and increasing access to affordable housing.

By tapping into existing resources of the participating federal departments which can provide leadership, support and funding to organizations in the community that are addressing the issues locally.

There is no defined dollar amount as each zone is different, but in the previous two rounds of the Promise Zone initiative, over $550 million has been invested in targeted communities nationwide.

For more information about the SDPZ, visit the Promise Zone website or contact the City of San Diego at PromiseZone@Sandiego.gov