The resident survey is here! One of the core principles of Near West Side Partners (NWSP) is community and resident engagement. For the last five years, we have been talking with and surveying residents on their perception of the Near West Side. While this year’s surveying looks slightly different than previous years, our survey will only take about 5-10 minutes and is easily accessible online.
Resident engagement is important to the Near West Side because it helps connect community members to resources that can improve our community. It builds relationships and understanding that is necessary for the future of NWSP. The information we receive from the resident survey guides where the Near West Side Partners focus efforts and funding in the community.
For example, in 2017, only 56% of residents agreed that “neighbors look out for each other”. While this is more than half, we know how important it is for neighbors to connect with each other and feel united. In the following year, NWSP increased resident engagement initiatives and community events, and by the end of the year, more than 71% of residents now felt that their neighbors were looking out for each other.
In the 2016 resident survey, more than 20% of participants stated that improved lighting would make them feel safer in their neighborhood. Seeing this, NWSP developed the Brighter Near West Side lighting initiative, a program that subsidized the purchase and installation of residential light fixtures and security cameras. At the close of the program, over 35 properties received new lights and cameras.
These programs and initiatives were created in analyzing our past resident surveys. Our organization wants to continue to address problems in our neighborhood, but we need your help to do so. Please take the survey here:
