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 leaders to streamline resources across agencies 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.

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
• Alex Southard, Promise Zone Coordinator, City of San Diego Economic Development Department
• Allie Carter, AmeriCorps VISTA, Communications Associate
• Haley Winstch, AmeriCorps VISTA, Community Outreach Associate
• Nina Quach, AmeriCorps VISTA, Grants and Research Associate

San Diego Promise Zone Working Groups

• Economic Activity ( Fact Sheet)
• Housing Affordability ( Fact Sheet)
• Healthy Communities ( Fact Sheet)
• Education ( Fact Sheet)
• Creating Jobs ( Fact Sheet)
• Safety ( Fact Sheet)

Get It Done App PowerPoint Presentations

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

Get Involved

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

Community Survey Results

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

Measuring Success

To measure and track progress, Working Groups have developed a series of San Diego Promise Zone Data Indicators available here.

Learn more