Economic Development
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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
- Anna Fox, AmeriCorps VISTA, Civic Engagement Associate
- Emma Bray, AmeriCorps VISTA, Operations 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
Series 2 - Access to Connectivity - 5/18/21
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
Community Survey Results
- San Diego Promise Zone Community Survey - Executive Summary and Key Findings
- San Diego Promise Zone Community Survey - Results
Learn more
Read about the City's plan to improve the quality of life in the San Diego Promise Zone.