Social Compact maintains a number of mapping tools and applications that expose its data in interfaces that are easy to use and open access, multiplying the effectiveness our data.

Existing applications include Social Compacts CityDNA, MortgageLeadr, and Service Finder tools.

Click here to download Social Compacts project overview video.

CityDNA Data Mapping Tool

Social Compact’s CityDNA is designed to host data resulting from multiple initiatives serving as a powerful tool that will allow different stakeholders to access and visualize an increasingly expanding pool of local level, multidisciplinary information in their decision-making processes. The specific goal of CityDNA, an interactive web-based system, is to deliver critical content (data, mapping tools and reports) to an organized network of community development users working from a common information platform toward a common goal in underserved urban neighborhoods. CityDNA is designed for both experts and novice users, providing information for several geographies (i.e. neighborhood, tract, trade area) based on the search and query of a complete database of indicators.

Mortgage LeaDR Project

Mortgage LeaDR is a collaborative project between Social Compact and CitiMortgage Strategic Markets (CMI) designed to test, enhance, and demonstrate new methods for identifying homeownership opportunities in traditionally underserved markets and improving market capture of associated mortgage originations. Despite the challenging economic circumstances, many families, including those of ethnic minority origin and/or low-to-moderate-income (LMI), are ready to embark on buying a home through responsible and affordable homeownership financial products and services. This project aims to capture and meet that, as yet, unidentified and untapped demand.

In underserved neighborhoods across Los Angeles, CA, Miami, FL, and Washington, DC, Mortgage LeaDR has two overarching objectives:

• To create and pilot a mutually beneficial application of Social Compact’s innovative platform while identifying and capturing homeownership and lending opportunities in currently underserved markets, with a particular focus on minority communities and on low and moderate income census tracts within the Citibank footprint.

• To use the pilot to further refine/enhance Social Compact’s indicators and CityDNA platform and to demonstrate their value to interested parties, particularly those that can generate widespread interest in, and acceptance of these innovative analytical approaches.

Service Finders

A wide range of organizations and programs (private and public) provide a variety of services and resources for residents and the community. However, there is generally no standard process for people to learn about these services and resources beyond community bulletin boards and listservs. The Finder mapping system makes it possible to ensure broad knowledge about programs, organizations and additional resources that provide needed services and opportunities. Such a tool can provide residents (in need or otherwise) with an empowering method to understand and locate the options available to them. The Finder also serves as a reliable, up-to-date database of resources that social service providers, caseworkers, and community-based organizations can share with their clients and constituency.

Example Application: The DC Food Finder

The Finder is a free and accessible, online mapping tool that provides a search system to people with all levels of computer skills. The Finder is user-friendly, simple and visually appealing.

Specifications

• Information is reliable and updated on a frequent basis (every 6 months)
• Users are able to conduct a search on the homepage
• Icons are large and clearly labeled
• Information about the services and food resources is straight-forward
• Users do not need to navigate through a series of screens to obtain information
• Users are able to locate resources based on any address or neighborhood
• Resource information identifies the kind of service(s) offered, the populations eligible for services and the days and times of operation/availability
• Data is easily updatable by other organizations and via an online interface
• The website is available in all of the main languages spoken in a city
• The tool includes analytics to track site use as well as customer satisfaction



Social Compact continues to extend the reach of its service finder tools, and will soon open a Financial Services finder for the Miami Dade Metropolitan area.