From the Sacramento Housing & Redevelopment Agency's newsletter:
The Sacramento City Council recently voted to approve funding that would invest millions into the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency’s Marina Vista and Alder Grove public housing communities.
According to an announcement by the City of Sacramento, the $2.5 million will go to providing funding for activities, enrichment and educational programming for youth within the communities in an effort to increase safety and security for residents and their guests. Allocated by the 2018 Measure U sales tax that provides an additional $60 million a year for the City of Sacramento, the list of investments includes park improvements, soccer and basketball programs in partnership with the Street Soccer and Ball Out Academy, after school programming, parent support and improved broadband.
A $1.4 million broadband infrastructure allocation to SHRA is the largest item in the package and the result of the success of a pilot that offered high speed broadband to a small group of Marina Vista residents. At full implementation, 751 residents between the two communities will have free broadband access for at least five years.
The funding comes one year after the death of 7-year-old Isabel Martin, who was struck by gunfire while visiting family in the Marina Vista community.
According to a City of Sacramento press release, Councilmember Katie Valenzuela is thankful for changes to come. “It’s really gratifying to see this finally coming before Council,” said Councilmember Valenzuela, “This neighborhood has historically lacked access to opportunities, and Isabel’s death was a stark reminder that it was past time for us to change that. I’m very proud of the work my office has done to work with community leaders to find tangible steps we can take to provide new opportunities and support to these residents. When we talk about upstream strategies to prevent violence, these kinds of investments are exactly what we’re envisioning."
SHRA Executive Director La Shelle Dozier says the investment in the latest digital technology will give children a more competitive edge in their learning environment.
“Expanding the Broadband Infrastructure Project to all families in the Marina Vista and Alder Grove communities, as well as the Leataata Floyd Elementary School and Health Professionals High School will significantly narrow the digital divide and improve learning outcomes for the children who will have access to this 21st century technology,” said SHRA Executive Director La Shelle Dozier. "These children will now have a greater assurance that a bright future with unlimited opportunities is within reach simply by having free high speed Wi-Fi service conveniently available both in the classroom and at home.