Community Assessment Windshield Survey

Community Assessment Windshield Survey

Community Name

What is the name of your community? Why did you select the above community?

Boundaries

Are the boundaries geographical, political, or economic? Do neighborhoods have names?

Are there sub-communities? How are these identified?

Housing and Zoning

What is the age of the buildings?  Are the residences single family or multifamily dwellings?

Signs of Decay

Is the area well maintained or in disrepair? Is there garbage strewn? Are there trashed/abandoned cars, places for rodents or other wildlife to hide, vacant lots?

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Community Assessment Windshield Survey

Parks and Recreational Areas

Are there play areas for children and adults? Are they safe and maintained? Is there a Community Center? Who uses them?

Common Areas

Where do people collect for social gatherings; where do they “hang out”? Are they for particular groups or are they open to all? Are there signs posted?

Stores

What stores (grocery, retail, drug, dry cleaning, etc.) are in the area? How do residents travel to them?

Transportation

How do most people get around the area? Is there public transportation? If so what kind and does it appear to be used? Who uses it? What is the condition of the streets, roads, highways?

Communication

Is there evidence of local and national newspapers to other media? Are there informational posters on streets, busses, billboards, etc.?

Community Assessment Windshield Survey

Service Centers

What services are available in the community – health care, social services, schools, employment offices etc.?

People in the Community

Who is in the area during the day?  What evidence is there a particular “classes” of people – upper, middle, working, lower?

Industries

What are the major industries located in the area? What types of occupations are evident?

Protective Services

Where are fire and police stations located? Is there evidence of police and fire protection in the area?

Religion

What churches and church-run schools are in the area (denomination)? How many are there of each denomination?

Community Assessment Windshield Survey

Health and Morbidity

Is there evidence of any health problems such as drug/alcohol abuse, communicable or chronic diseases, mental illness (etc.)?

Ethnicity

What is the predominant ethnic group? Are there residents from a variety of ethnic backgrounds or is the community mostly one group? Which one? Are there stores, restaurants, churches, schools, or languages that indicate a particular ethnic group(s)?

Politics

Is there evidence of political activity?  Are there any signs that indicate a predominant political party (parties)or concern(s)?