San Diego Promise Zone

The San Diego Promise Zone, on June 6, 2016, became one of 22 federally designated Promise Zones in the United States and one of only four in California. The San Diego Promise Zone (SDPZ) covers a 6.4-square-mile targeted area that spans East Village and Barrio Logan east to Encanto and is home to the City’s most disadvantaged and underserved communities.

More than 80,000 San Diegans live in SDPZ. Unemployment is high (15.61 percent), and poverty is concentrated (39.06 percent). The area struggles with low educational attainment, insufficient access to healthcare and healthy foods, rising crime rates and the least affordable housing in the country.

Through the  Promise Zone initiative, federal government partners work with local government agencies, community-based organizations, direct service providers, residents, and business owners to streamline resources and deliver comprehensive support. Leading the effort, the City has partnered with numerous local organizations and agencies to develop programs and initiatives in six Working Group goal areas to improve quality of life and accelerate revitalization in the SDPZ. Working groups include:

• Economic Activity 
• Housing Affordability 
• Healthy Communities 
• Education 
• Creating Jobs 
• Safety 

The Promise Zone designation lasts for 10 years. The goals can be reviewed in the SDPZ Ten Year Strategic Plan

Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on all things related to the Promise Zone including working group meeting information, grants and funding information, and community resources. Sign up link below.

For more information about the SDPZ, contact us:

• Xiomalys Crespo, Promise Zone Manager, City of San Diego Economic Development Department
• Amanda Yamamoto, AmeriCorps VISTA, Grants and Research Associate
• Anna Fox, AmeriCorps VISTA, Civic Engagement Associate
• Emma Bray, AmeriCorps VISTA, Operations Associate
• Nina Quach, AmeriCorps VISTA, Grants and Research Associate
• Rhiannon Koh, AmeriCorps VISTA, Communications Associate

Digital Inclusion in the Promise Zone Workshop Series

The San Diego Promise Zone presents a workshop series to address digital inclusion topics.

Series 1 -  Getting to a Common Agenda - 12/15/20

• Agenda
• Recording

Series 2 - Access to Connectivity - 5/18/21

• Agenda
• Recording

Get Involved

• Attend a Working Group Meeting. Check out the Promise Zone Events Calendar for the meeting schedule and past meeting notes.

Get It Done App PowerPoint Presentations

• Get It Done PowerPoint Short Version
• Get It Done PowerPoint Long Version

Community Survey Results

• San Diego Promise Zone Community Survey - Executive Summary and Key Findings
• San Diego Promise Zone Community Survey - Results

Learn more