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WHAT MAYOR PETE BUTTIGIEG IS SAYING: <br /> —Pete ButtiBleg,Mayor of South Bond,IN . . I ., I <br /> is <br /> Transportation is the primary barrier to maintaining stable employment;a problem that has perplexed <br /> countless public and private entities. Reliable transportation is the primary barrier to stable employment <br /> for shift workers, contributing to annual turnover upwards of 55%. Turnover costs approximately$3,000 <br /> per employee and has cascading socio-economic impacts. South Bend has succeeded where others have <br /> failed by developing a program that reliably gets residents to work and is financially sustainable without <br /> relying on long-term philanthropic investment. <br /> Our solution leverages existing technology to provide an integrated network of on-demand transportation <br /> options.We will quantify savings for employers due to reduced turnover and increased employee <br /> productivity, incentivizing them to fund the program.We are delivering transportation as a benefit by <br /> connecting shift workers with the most appropriate and reliable transportation service through a network <br /> of"on-demand" providers. Providing stable transportation improves employee reliability and <br /> productivity, resulting in reduced turnover and cost savings for employers. <br /> Previous solutions, both in South Bend and other cities, have focused on increasing access to existing <br /> transportation providers(e.g. bus passes, scheduled van rides)to alleviate transportation problems. <br /> These efforts have been inefficient, and unsustainable due to reliance on public subsidies and high <br /> operational costs. <br /> Our solution does not require costly capital assets, instead leveraging on-demand, data-driven <br /> transportation providers(i.e. Uber,Waze Carpool)to lower cost of delivery and increase ridership. By <br /> pooling the demand of participating employers,the transportation-as-a-benefit program achieves <br /> economies of scale to distribute overhead costs,and risk of underutilization. <br /> By providing transportation as a benefit for employees, South Bend will build a stronger, more resilient <br /> local economy. <br /> What we've learned & Next Steps <br /> Westside Qualitative Study <br /> The purpose of this research study is to investigate the impact of urban blight on residents' self-efficacy, <br /> as well as, resident perspectives on City services.Additionally,academic literature including Massey and <br /> Denton, Elijah Anderson,William Julius Wilson, have all discussed the stressors of poverty and race <br /> neighborhoods on its' residents.These links provide a theoretical framework for the link between <br /> the physical structures of neighborhoods to residents' self-efficacy.The full research will conclude by the <br /> first quarter of 2020 with a final presentation to Council by our research partners at the University of <br /> Notre Dame.Our team plans to communicate preliminary data results and next steps throughout spring <br /> of 2019. <br /> Love Your Block <br /> In 2018, we were one of ten cities selected by Cities of Service for its flagship grant award-Love Your <br /> Block.We based our application in a resident-led,volunteer model developed by Westside neighborhood <br /> associations. Love Your Block is a small-scale home repair program that offers mini-grants of up to$5000 <br /> to community organizations. Groups can apply by assembling an application that lists houses within 5 <br /> blocks of one another that need small-scale repairs. Repairs will be made in collaboration between <br /> 13 <br />