SSJNN Survey of Historic Little Italy

November 2000 Survey Results

In November 2000, eleven months after the founding of the Sisters of St. Joseph Network Neighborhood (SSJNN), the organization began to conduct a door-to-door interview survey of Little Italy Neighborhood residents. The target area was defined as the area between 12th and 21st Streets from State Street to Cranberry Street.

According to the US Post Office mailing list, there were 2,078 potential mailing addresses in the target area, but many were found to be empty houses or businesses. By count, there were actually 980 buildings in the target area, some with multiple housing units. SSJNN estimated that there were about 1,500 households, acknowledging that the actual number fluctuates due to the transient nature of many of the residents.

The survey itself was developed by a sub-committee of the West Side Partnership, a “loosely organized group” including three Neighborhood Watch Groups, church groups, Trinity Center, Saint Vincent Health Center, SSJNN, and various businesses and interested parties. Interviews were conducted over a six-month period primarily by SSJNN staff in conjunction with members of the Neighborhood Watch Groups and employees of Trinity Center. 350 households were contacted yielding 296 completed surveys.

The major categories focused upon in the survey were:

• Age
• Race/Ethnic Background
• Religion
• Marital Status
• Language
• Household Income
• Home Ownership
• Crime
• Social Services/Economics

One key observation that emerged from the interviews as a whole was the "great need for food” among area residents. Similarly, the following four issues were identified as major challenges for neighborhood residents:

• Adequate housing
• Nutritional needs
• Drug trafficking/prostitution
• Access to education – including basic life and job skills

Based on the survey input, there was an average of 2.46 persons per household in the Neighborhood. Given the estimated 1500 households, that computes to a target area population of 3,690. Again, based on the survey input percentages -

• 35% are under 18
• 51% are between 18 and 60
• 14% are over 61

• 82% are Caucasion
• 16% are African American
• <1% each are Native American or Asian

• 50% are Protestant
• 44% are Catholic
• 3% are Muslim

• 35% are Single
• 37% are Married
• 9% are Divorced
• 18% are Widowed

• 40% own their homes
• 60% rent

While the majority of the residents are of Italian, German or Irish heritage, there are over 23 other ethnic backgrounds represented within the Neighborhood, most recently including immigrants from the Balkans.

Nearly 60% of the households interviewed had household incomes less than $14,150 (in 2000).

44% of the households surveyed had no one with steady employment. Of that 44%,

• 54% are retired
• 21% are disabled
• 25% are “simply unemployed”

60% felt that the neighborhood was unsafe, with drug trafficking and prostitution  being the crimes of most concern.

While the majority or the residents indicated that they do have health insurance (mostly government-funded programs such as Medicare or Medicaid), 7% indicated that they do not have a physician and 26% that they do not have a dentist.

When asked to identify needed or desired social services in the area, the top five services mentioned were:

• Home Repair
• Educational Programs
• Substance Abuse Counseling
• Child Care
• Social Activities

97% of those surveyed indicated that one of the greatest needs in the area was a low-cost grocery store.

As a result of the neighborhood needs identified through this survey and other inputs, in the Fall of 2000, SSJNN began several assistance programs including:

• A soup kitchen in partnership with parishioners of St. Paul’s Church
• Responding to emergency needs for food
• Offering English as a Second Language instruction in peoples’ homes
• Serving as advocates in assisting persons
• • Find ways to pay their rent
  • Obtain clothing for children
  • Work with utilities and landlords
  • Communicate with the public assistance office

In 2000, future plans for SSJNN included:

• Continuing with the soup kitchen
• Expanding the English as a Second Language program
• Explore “housing concerns” at several levels
• • Collaboration with Habitat for Humanity and/or HANDS
  • Explore opportunities for educational programs for simple home repairs and upkeep
  • Explore a mentoring program in conjunction with landlords to assist residents with home maintenance skills
  • Work with City officials to demolish abandoned houses and clean vacant lots
• While continuing to focus on education for basic life skills, define additional educational needs of area residents
• Continue the survey process to help establish relationships and respond to residents’ needs.