Political Science – �鶹��Ƶ

San Diego State University Mission Valley Housing Policy Options

Victor Manzanilla — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 03:39:07 +0000

This report was created through a partnership with the Sage Project at San Diego State University (SDSU) during the spring of 2019. The research contained herein was conducted by students in an upper-division political science course headed by Professor Brian Adams. The given goal was to provide a policy analysis providing options for affordable housing at the future SDSU Mission Valley site. A differentiation between market-rate and non-profit-provided housing was made to divide this research into two main policy areas with multiple subsections within those areas. The data gathered on these topics include definitions, advantages, disadvantages, case studies, and potential feasibility. We acknowledge the fiscal, temporal, and political limitations that could prevent SDSU from pursuing some of the more philanthropic options in delivering housing to its community; bottom lines must be considered, and loans repaid. Market-rate student housing can be delivered through various avenues including the public (university-owned) and private sphere. A confluence between the two parties can allow for public-private partnerships, which have been successfully used to create student-only housing, as seen at The Green, at the University of California, Davis; or mixed-use buildings with retail and commercial spaces that include both student and residential housing, as seen in the University of Central Florida’s Creative Village. Micro units are a growing trend showing favor among student-aged demographics that could be accomplished through both the public and private sector. Non-profits organizations, like the Collegiate Housing Foundation, have financed over $3.1 billion in student housing facilities with multiple examples at the University of California, Irvine. On a smaller scale, student housing cooperatives, such as the Berkeley Student Cooperative, have provided students with low-cost housing for nearly a century—although the model seems limited in scalability. We recognize how contingent SDSU’s decision-making will likely be when considering policy options for its Mission Valley site. Our aim is to allow for informed decision-making given quality information.

The Sage Project Contact Info
Kristofer Patron
Program Administrator
kpatron@sdsu.edu
(619) 594-0103

University Faculty Contact
Brian Adams

Local Government / Community Contact

SDSU Mission Valley: Concerns and Considerations on Affordable Housing

Victor Manzanilla — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 03:39:07 +0000

San Diego State University (SDSU)’s partnership with the Sage Project has allowed current students to be involved in the planning process for the new Mission Valley campus. In its initial run of collaborations, SDSU staff had a goal in mind for participants: to conduct individual policy analyses related to housing in Mission Valley, focusing primarily on affordability and lessons from other contexts. In this study, we analyzed potential issues the project might face in future public-private partnerships and student access. We also addressed the question of who might be eli-gible for affordable housing programs. Five reports were conducted and compiled into one comprehensive document, using primary and secondary sources, and pre-senting current similar projects in higher education as models.

In this report, we explore three primary research questions in order to develop recommendations for the SDSU Mission Valley project based on its stated goal and through conversation with individuals involved in the planning process for Mission Valley. Based on our research, we offer three recommendations moving forward. First, maintain a clear dedication to maintaining affordability for residents in all mis-sion statements for in any public-private partnerships the university considers. Second, maintain open channels of communication with students and other stakeholders in the planning and development process in order to maximize student access. Finally, consider transfer students as a priority population for affordable housing units, as they are most likely to meet eligibility criteria.

The Sage Project Contact Info
Kristofer Patron
Program Administrator
kpatron@sdsu.edu
(619) 594-0103

University Faculty Contact
Kristen Hill Maher

Local Government / Community Contact

Urban Edible Landscapes in Lemon Grove: City Park Orchards, Community Gardens, and School Gardens

Victor Manzanilla — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 03:39:02 +0000

In partnership with the City of Lemon Grove and the Sage Project at San Diego State University, this study analyzed the feasibility and popularity of building various urban agriculture programs in Lemon Grove. City park fruit orchards, local community gardens, and after-school garden programs were found to be the most feasible urban greening methods for Lemon Grove. Between January and June of 2017, our team conducted interviews with community leaders and city residents to determine interest in urban agriculture programs. We examined the practical challenges that Lemon Grove may face in implementing public park orchards, community gardens, and after-school garden programs and developed recom-mendations for the city to introduce scalable solutions for successful implementation. Lemon Grove residents recognize the benefits of adding green space and are motivated to build urban agriculture and edible landscapes in Lemon Grove. Edible landscapes can help promote sustainable development, city beautification, community growth, and nutritional education for Lemon Grove. Urban agriculture can help promote a healthier, more sustainable, and more secure community in Lemon Grove. As part of a community wellbeing initiative, public park orchards, community gardens, and school gardens can prevent obesity and positively affect community public health outcomes. With a year-round growing season and the “best climate on earth,” Lemon Grove can feasibly move towards a more healthful, sustainable future by planting edible landscapes and urban agriculture.Keywords: edible landscapes, urban orchards, after-school, community, gardens

The Sage Project Contact Info
Kristofer Patron
Program Administrator
kpatron@sdsu.edu
(619) 594-0103

University Faculty Contact
Kristen Maher
Political Science

Local Government / Community Contact

Assistant City Manager

The Effectiveness and Efficiency of the Serial Inebriate Program

Victor Manzanilla — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 03:39:02 +0000

The Serial Inebriate Program (SIP) was created 16 years ago as a new and forward thinking pilot program for the City of San Diego. Its purpose has always been to help the population of homeless who are so often incapable of finding help for themselves—chronic homeless individuals who are serial inebriates. This report provides a snapshot of the progress SIP has made with the target population in conjunction with an analysis of its economic benefits.

To accomplish these goals, political science students partnered with the City of San Diego and the Sage Project at San Diego State University to prepare an objective analysis of the program. Data was gathered from the San Diego Police Department, Mental Health Systems, and other agencies in order to present a snapshot of the effectiveness and efficiency of SIP. All comparisons were made between what SIP offers, in terms of treatments and costs, to the alternative of letting the target population continue without assistance. At the end of the project, we found evidence that SIP has been effective in reducing the number of homeless individuals who suffer from serial inebriation and also offers substantial cost savings to local governments.

The apparent effectiveness and efficiency of SIP prompted us to recommend an expansion of this model to other homeless populations. In addition, we recommend ways to make SIP more effective at its own goals. In short, we recommend that SIP expand its eligibility classifications, aim for better communication among and between agencies, and create an avenue for post-treatment tracking of those who complete the program. As a part of the cost-benefit analysis, we also recommend that a separate report be completed singularly on the costs and benefits of SIP. Without the concerted effort of all those involved, this report would not have been possible. For that, we are grateful and hope this report shows the progress and impact that the Serial Inebriate Program has and will continue to have in San Diego.

The Sage Project Contact Info
Kristofer Patron
Program Administrator
kpatron@sdsu.edu
(619) 594-0103

University Faculty Contact
Brian Adams
Political Science

Local Government / Community Contact

Police

Lemon Grove: Municipal Strategies to Address Homelessness

Victor Manzanilla — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 03:39:01 +0000

A 2016 report by the San Diego County Grand Jury found that the East County cities of El Cajon, La Mesa, Santee, and Lemon Grove lacked an adequate response to addressing homelessness (San Diego County Grand Jury, 2016). Lemon Grove had the smallest overall population among the four cities referenced in the report, as well as the smallest unsheltered homeless population (Regional Task Force on the Homeless, 2015). Pub-lication of the grand jury’s report garnered media attention and public interest, leading to the city’s partnership with the Sage Project at San Diego State University to explore strategies to address homelessness (Pearlman, 2016). This study incorporates qualitative research of primary and secondary source data from county, regional, state, and federal public records, direct communication with stakeholders, site visits, and peer-reviewed literature from political science, public health, sociology, organizational behavior, and public relations to examine the existing framework addressing homelessness and pro-vide recommendations for small to medium-sized cities in San Diego County, like Lemon Grove, to connect with available resources and deliver them to their homeless residents through membership and participation in the Regional Task Force on the Homeless.This report explores four main research questions in order to develop recommendations to Lemon Grove city leadership based on their inputs to Sage Project participants, as well as additional documentation they provided from other studies undertaken to support the city’s General Plan Update in 2017. The results of scholarship yield two key recom-mendations for city leaders. First, it is recommended that the Lemon Grove City Council make homelessness a top priority in the agenda it provides to the city manager and staff to execute. Second, it is recommended that Lemon Grove join and take an active, participatory role in the San Diego Regional Task Force on the Homeless.Keywords: homelessness, housing, Lemon Grove, Sage Project

The Sage Project Contact Info
Kristofer Patron
Program Administrator
kpatron@sdsu.edu
(619) 594-0103

University Faculty Contact
Kristen Maher
Political Science

Local Government / Community Contact

Assistant City Manager

Growing Community: Bringing Green Spaces and a Community Garden to Lemon Grove

Victor Manzanilla — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 03:39:00 +0000

This study was conducted through San Diego State University’s (SDSUs) Department of Political Science, the Sage Project and The City of Lemon Grove in order to investigate the potential benefits, challenges, and overall feasibility of implementing green spaces and a community garden in Lemon Grove. Read the final student report delivered to the local gov/community [...]

Housing Conditions Survey for Central City Area and CDBG Target Area

Victor Manzanilla — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 03:37:02 +0000

Undergraduate political science students will create a survey instrument for the Town of Milton that assesses the
impact(s) of noise pollution from nearby Logan Airport. The Town will use the survey tool as a guide in collecting data
on how the noise from low-flying airplanes impacts residents’ quality of life.

Read the final student report delivered to the local gov/community partner.

MetroBridge Projects Contact Info

University Faculty Contact
Spencer Piston
Political Science

spiston@bu.edu

Local Government / Community Contact

Designing a Community Feedback Survey on City Service Delivery

Victor Manzanilla — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 23:27:39 +0000

Undergraduate political science students will design, implement, and analyze a public feedback survey of Providence residents asking them to evaluate their perceived access to city services, and the quality of these services (e.g., trash removal, sidewalk repair, constituent service requests). The City of Providence will use this information to help guide needed improvements to city service delivery.

Read the final student report delivered to the local gov/community partner.

MetroBridge Projects Contact Info

University Faculty Contact
Katherine Einstein
Political Science

kleinst@bu.edu

Local Government / Community Contact

Reducing Car Dependency and Promoting Alternate Transit Options

Victor Manzanilla — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 23:27:39 +0000

Undergraduate political science students will help public officials in the City of Everett explore options for reducing residents’ dependency on cars and encouraging alternate transit methods such as bus service, biking, or walking. Read the final student report delivered to the local gov/community partner. MetroBridge Projects Contact Info University Faculty Contact David Glick Political Science [...]