the edinburg housing authority (eha), a research study on transparency

8/13/2015

PUBA 6306: Past, Present, and Future of Public Administration

Summer 2015, Module 2Dr. Aziza Zemrani

The Final Proposal

Edinburg Housing Authority, A Research Study on Transparency 1

Intentionally Left Blank


The Edinburg Housing Authority (EHA)

A Research Study on Transparency

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Group 9 Research Team Members

Epifanio Rey Garcia, Project Lead, Editor, Data Contributor

Claudia Serrano, Content, Data Contributor, Power Point Collaborate

Daisy Lopez, Content, Data Contributor, Power Point Design

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The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV)College of Social & Behavioral Sciences

Department of Public Affairs and Security Studies

Public Affairs-Administration Studies

Dr. Aziza Zemrani

The Final ProposalAugust 13, 2015

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Table of Contents

Abstract ……………………………………………………………………… 6Introduction ………………………………………………………………….. 7

Statement of Research Problem ……………………………………… 7Hypothesis …………………………………………………………… 8Organizational Profile …...................................................................... 9

Background ………………………………………………………………….. 10Forms of Transparency ……………………………………………… 10

Open Government …………………………………………… 10Gov 2.0 ………………………………………………………. 10E-Government ……………………………………………….. 10

Literature Review ……………………………………………………………. 11Overview ……………………………………………………………... 11Purpose ……………………………………………………………….. 11Recognition & Awards ……………………………………………….. 11Previous Research Studies / Strategic Plans………………………...… 12

Strategic Plan (2014-2018) …………………………………… 12Strategic Plan (2015-2020) …………………………………… 12

Transparency …………………………………………………………. 13Transparency Terms ………………………………………….. 13

Open Government ……………………………………. 13Gov 2.0 ……………………………………………….. 13E-Government ………………………………………… 13

Sub-Sections / Transparency Initiatives ………………………………. 14Citizen Engagement …………………………………………………… 14

Citizen Engagement & Technical Terms ……………………… 14Findings and Results from Previous Studies ………………………….. 16Strengths and Weaknesses ………………………………….................. 17Research Methods …………………………………………………….. 17Organizational Analysis ……………………………………………….. 18Recommendations / Variables – Correlational ………………………… 18About the Research Team ….………………………………………….. 19

Methodology …………………………………………………………………. 20Mixed Methods Research ……………………………………………. 20Correlational Study …………………………………………………... 20Extraneous Variables ………………………………………………… 21

Findings and Recommendations ……………………………………………… 22References ……………………………………………………………………. 23


Abstract

The Edinburg Housing Authority (EHA) is on the precipice of expansion to not only

provide safe, healthy living environments for the underprivileged, but to provide a means to

young people who wish to be competent for verging global markets. This study will examine the

relevance of website execution through the EHA organizational mission and align it with

successful administrative network practices with clients. Research indicates that a public entity’s

organizational mission should not only provide transparency and ease of access in development

of online infrastructures, but that employees involved in the scope of management of such

instruments must be fully committed to the proper execution of e-government.


Introduction

The Edinburg Housing Authority (EHA) serves a subpopulation of people in need in

Edinburg, TX by managing 367 housing units, Section 8 voucher program, and a smaller

subsection of apartments for the aged and disabled. The organization’s purpose is to “promote

self-sufficiency throughout the agency … [and] help … develop the necessary work skills and

education to succeed” (Edinburg Housing Authority, 2015).

The EHA works beneath the umbrella of the United States Housing and Urban

Development (HUD). Currently, HUD runs an initiative for strategic outreach of youth or the

parents of children in HUD funded housing to not only help communities, but uplift communities

from years on inequity, all with the goal to better prepare future generations for a globalized

economy. The EHA’s commitment to HUD’s initiative is featured on the newly restructured

website, where visitors can learn about recent accomplishments via newsletters and

announcements. The website and citizen engagement methods will be the main focus of analysis,

for every strategic plan in the twenty-first century must acknowledge the need for a strategic

online presence. E-government, much like E-commerce, should be considered when formulating

and launching plans for service to the public. Understanding e-government and reviewing the

context behind that and issues of transparency and efficiency may also be of help.

Statement of Research Problem

An organizational analysis of the information reviewed shows the Edinburg Housing

Authority’s (EHA) website does not provide very much depth or scope for the EHA’s internal

workings in terms of chain of command, E-mails or phone numbers. It also offers limited citizen

engagement options. There is a nominal amount of interactivity and transparency for EHA' s

online presence There is also a lack of interactivity that could be improved with online forms,


walkthroughs or even explanations to a person’s rights when it comes down to housing, such as

clean water, electricity, fair housing or strategic plans for inclusive housing. In fact, there is little

information to prove that the website was restructured at all; rather it maintains itself as a gallery

of accomplishments lending itself to more superficial versus useful tools for information. In

addition, the android application does not work or the site is not capable of handling mobile

visitors.

“Government agencies must evaluate how strategic e-government plans are developed,

communicated, and integrated into the work environment … [and] without the proper

understanding of the importance of e-government initiatives, employees do not place high value

on e-government initiatives” (Koh, Prybutok, Ryan, & Ibragimova, 2006, p. 22). EHA’s e-

government has been afforded very limited strategic planning which may ultimately be a barrier

for the people it serves. From these conclusions, the research team recommends analysis of

EHA’s strategic plan(s) for its IT administration. Further, the organization’s overall

understanding of a strategic model for e-government must be assessed.

Hypothesis

If a strategic plan for the Edinburg Housing Authority’s (EHA) information technology

(IT) is lacking for implementation or even structure, it can be deduced that if a strategic plan

with IT infrastructure is put into motion, then transparency and e-government service will occur.

The goal is to isolate the variables that create passive versus active websites with a

generalization that poor strategic plans may result in poor IT infrastructure.


Organizational Profile

The Edinburg Housing Authority (EHA) is an organization that exclusively serves the

needs of low income families that pertain to that specific jurisdiction. Their main focus it to

provide the availability of decent, safe and affordable housing. The organization also ensures

equal opportunity in housing. They promote self-sufficiency and asset development and the

work to improve community quality of life and economic viability. EHA provides two programs

(Public Housing Program & Housing Voucher Section 8 Program) of which provide housing to

individuals that qualify. They also work alongside with other organizations such as the Salvation

Army, the Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley, and among other organizations that assist low-

income level families. These organizations work in conjunction to assist families that struggle

financially to be self-sufficient.

EHA is openly committed to the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) campaign for

a strategic outreach campaign of youth or the parents of children in EHA housing to better

prepare future generations for a globalized economy. These sentiments are echoed on the newly

restructured website, where visitors can learn about recent accomplishments via newsletters and

announcements.


Background

After reviewing the Edinburg Housing Authority’s (EHA) website, the research team

concludes that the existing website includes limited transparency initiatives. The website’s social

media include Facebook, Twitter, and broken link to LinkedIn. Today’s Internet-savvy users are

continuously engaged via their smart devices and they demand, clear and credible information,

whether its business or government related. The communication must be easily accessible via

information services, such as web and social media. Transparency originates from Open

Government, eGovernment and Gov 2.0; fostering openness, collaboration, and an efficient

public sector through public data. The Edinburg Housing Authority (EHA) would achieve true

citizen engagement by the form of E-Government.

Forms of Transparency

1) Open Government is the transparency of government actions, the accessibility of

government services and information, and the responsiveness of government to new

ideas, demands and needs.

2) Gov 2.0 is use of technology to collaborate with the citizens

3) E-Government is a means of communication with citizens, businesses, and other

governments by government agencies to better delivery of services, interactions and

citizen participation.


Literature Review

Overview

The Edinburg Housing Authority (EHA) was first established in 1949. It is a government

assisted housing agency directly supervised and funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and

Urban Development (HUD).

Purpose

The purpose of this research study is to examine the Authority’s strategic goals to

implement transparency via its website/content management system and execute continuous

citizen engagement. True transparency, whether in the form of e-government or open

government, must be stated and reflected through the organization’s mission statement, it must

align itself with continual administrative support and therefore, initiate a successful array of

networking practices with its clients. The organizational mission should not only provide

transparency and ease of access in development of online infrastructures, but that employees

involved in the scope of management of such instruments must be fully committed to the proper

execution of e-government.

Recognition & Awards

On June 25, 2015, the Authority was presented with eleven prestigious awards from the

National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO), which are based on

merits and recommendations. EHA also received the following media recognitions: Best Annual

Report; Best Newsletter; Best Media Recognition; and Best Other Publications.


Previous Research Studies / Strategic Plans

Two recent strategic plans have been commenced; the first, by the U.S. Department of

Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the second, by the University of Texas-Rio

Grande Valley, School of Business

A. Strategic Plan (2014-2018) – The first plan was implemented by HUD on April 2014

and spans from 2014 through 2018. The plan’s four goals are to guide the agency in

meeting the urgent housing and development needs of the community.

1) Goal 1: Strengthen the Nation’s Housing Market To Bolster the Economy and Protect

Consumers.

2) Goal 2: Meet the Need for Quality, Affordable Rental Homes.

3) Goal 3: Use Housing As a Platform To Improve Quality of Life.

4) Goal 4: Build Strong, Resilient, and Inclusive Communities.

B. Strategic Plan 2015-2020 – The second plan was implemented by a group of students

from the University of Texas-Pan American, School of Business on May 2015 and spans

from 2015 through 2020. The plan’s four goals place emphasis on empowerment,

improvement, acknowledgment and expansion of services.

1) Goal 1: Empower adults and the youth by providing them with educational resources;

2) Goal 2: Improvement of housing programs, classes and services provided;

3) Goal 3: Acknowledge and invest in the development of our staff to provide the best

service possible; and

4) Goal 4: Expand our programs into the private sector.


Transparency

The Authority is deficient when it comes to their transparency efforts. Transparency,

applies to an organization that is open, accountable, and honest. It promotes citizen engagement,

via mobile devices, apps, web, social media, email, text, network and cloud computing, with

complete and total access to open documents via the agency’s information technology encrypted

data servers that provide secure access to the community. A transparent government follows any

one of the three models, Open Government, Gov 2.0 or E-Government.

A. Transparency Terms

1) Open Government - Open government is defined by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OEDC) as “the transparency of government actions, the accessibility of government services and information, and the responsiveness of government to new ideas, demands and needs.” (Harper, L. (2013, June 10). A Citizen's Guide to Open Government, E-Government, and Government 2.0. Retrieved August 10, 2015, from https://onlinempa.unc.edu/a-citizens-guide-to-open-government-e-government-and-government-2-0/).

2) Gov 2.0 - Gov 2.0 or Government 2.0 is defined by Gartner Research as “the use of IT to socialize and commoditize government services, processes and data.” (Harper, L. (2013, June 10). A Citizen's Guide to Open Government, E-Government, and Government 2.0. Retrieved August 10, 2015, from https://onlinempa.unc.edu/a-citizens-guide-to-open-government-e-government-and-government-2-0/).

3) E-Government - E-Government is defined by the World Bank as “the use by government agencies of information technologies that have the ability to transform relations with citizens, businesses, and other arms of government. These technologies can serve a variety of different ends: better delivery of government services to citizens, improved interactions with business and industry, citizen empowerment through access to information, or more efficient government management. The resulting benefits can be less corruption, increased transparency, greater convenience, revenue growth, and/or cost reductions.” (Harper, L. (2013, June 10). A Citizen's Guide to Open Government, E-Government, and Government 2.0. Retrieved August 10, 2015, from https://onlinempa.unc.edu/a-citizens-guide-to-open-government-e-government-and-government-2-0/).

https://onlinempa.unc.edu/a-citizens-guide-to-open-government-e-government-and-government-2-0/







B. Sub-Sections / Transparency Initiatives

HUD is actively involved in both Transparency and Open Government initiatives

that promote citizen engagement. The following sub-sections promote transparency in the

form of related projects HUD is currently working on, or will be undertaking.

1) T-1: Ensure HUD Regulations are More Easily Available and Usable Online.

2) T-2: Publish HUD-Assisted Housing Locations and Related Information.

3) T-3: Make Housing Related Laws more Accessible to the Public.

4) E-1: Provide Improved Online Feedback Capabilities for Customers.

5) E-2: Provide Online Capabilities for Public Review of HUD Regulations Prior to

Implementation.

Citizen Engagement

Citizen engagement is what open government is all about. It links the citizen and

participation to true transparency and accountability via the website or content management

system. The following is a list of communications software, hardware and devices used to

engage citizens. HUD currently uses the following tools to engage with the public.

A. Citizen Engagement & Technical Terms

1) Citizen Engagement – According to Google Online Dictionary, Citizen Engagement

is what open government is all about. It is a vital link between transparency and

accountability.

2) RSS Feeds – According to Google Online Dictionary, Rich Site Summary or RSS

Feeds, originally RDF Site Summary; often called Really Simple Syndication, uses a

family of standard web feed formats to publish frequently updated information: blog

entries, news headlines, audio, and video.


3) HUD Facebook page – According to Google Online Dictionary, Facebook is a social

utility used to connect both business and non-business endeavors with the

community.

4) HUD Twitter – According to Google Online Dictionary, Twitter is an instant

messaging tool used to send up to the minute information to its community of

followers.

5) HUD YouTube Channel – According to Google Online Dictionary, YouTube is a

video sharing channel, which HUD uses to share with the public.

6) HUD Wiki – The agency’s encyclopedia, built collaboratively using wiki software. It

is a type of reference work or compendium of finding.

7) HUD Mobile – The agency’s mobile website, often compatible with all smart

devices. The mobile website is: http://portal.hud.gov.

8) Citizen Engagement Software – This would include the following, but not limited to

the Internet, social media, text, email, mobile device software, cloud computing, apps,

website(s), content management, and encrypted security software.

9) Citizen Engagement Hardware – This would include, but not limited to outgoing

dedicated data server(s), web server(s), content management server(s), email

server(s), routers and other network hardware.

10) Citizen Engagement Devices – This would include, but not limited to computers,

laptops, notebooks, netbooks, tablets, and cell phones.

11) Content Management System (CMS) – According to Google Online Dictionary,

CMS is a computer application that allows publishing, editing and modifying content,

organizing, deleting as well as maintenance from a central interface. The evolution

http://portal.hud.gov/


from the dated, stagnant HTML coded website to a collective flow of information

using Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) used to manage the workflow in a collaborative

environment.

Findings and Results from Previous Studies

Strategic Plans

The research team found that EHA has two strategic plans already in place. The first plan

was implemented by HUD at the national-level and promotes strength, and addresses the

community’s needs, quality of life, and involvement. Its vision is inclusive of all residents,

partners, employees/staff, and public and neighboring communities to strengthen and build

American dreams. The second plan was implemented by the University of Texas Rio Grande

Valley (UTRGV), School of Business and focuses on empowering the community, improvement

of services, acknowledgement of staff, and expansion by creating an outreach program to the

private sector. The group of students found the strengths residents felt their community had:

solidarity, good communication with their managers, the emphasis in education, actively

engaged teenagers and motivated parents.

Transparency / Open Government

The research team found that EHA, which is directly supervised and funded by HUD, is

in need of citizen engagement at the local-level, while at the national-level, HUD is strong in

both citizen engagement and collaboration efforts via their organization’s website and social

media, while actively participating in open government and transparency. (See also

http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/open/plan/transparency-initiatives

http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/open/plan/transparency-initiatives


Strengths and Weaknesses

After reviewing the organizational profile, previous studies and findings, the research

team has outlined the following strengths and weaknesses of the Authority.

Strengths

Award winning and recognized by the National Association of Housing and

Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) and the media.

Recently developed two realistic strategic plans.

Weaknesses

Not much initiative at the local-level on transparency, open government or e-government

efforts.

The current strategic plans do not include transparency and lack citizen engagement

tools.

The organization has two strategic plans already in place, which in the long run can be

confusing when trying to focus on the goals.

Research Methods

Mixed Approach / Secondary Data

The research team uses mixed approach with mostly secondary or quantitative data that

has already been collected, such as previous case studies, strategic plans and reports. The use of

qualitative data (verbal) is also used if unable to collect data via previous findings.


Organizational Analysis

A deep organizational analysis of the information by the research team (Group 9) of the

Authority’s website/content management system does not provide very much depth or scope for

the EHA’s internal workings in terms of chain of command, E-mails or phone numbers. There is

also a lack of interactivity that could be improved with the use of citizen engagement tools, such

as mobile web, online forms, walkthroughs or even explanations to a person’s rights when it

comes down to housing, such as clean water, electricity, fair housing or strategic plans for

inclusive housing. In fact, there is little information to prove that the website was restructured at

all; rather it maintains itself as a gallery of accomplishments lending itself to more superficial

versus useful tools for information. This creates barriers for the clients EHA serves and thus,

should be analyzed for proper strategic government planning, which sets transparency and

citizen engagement as a goal.

Recommendations / Variables - Correlational

The research team recommends that in order for the Authority to achieve true

transparency, the following variables must be identified and how the relationship correlates with

each variable.

Extraneous Variables

The research team justifies the following extraneous variables in order to achieve true

transparency, staff attitude, involvement, moral, and level of training. Also staff availability and

some infrastructure.


About the Research Team

The research team/group is comprised of three professional Public Administration - MPA

candidates from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), College of Social &

Behavioral Sciences, Department of Public Affairs and Security Studies, who were selected to

study the Edinburg Housing Authority’s (EHA) website and citizen engagement methods.


Methodology

Mixed Methods Research

A mixed methods type of research will be approached in this study, where qualitative

and quantitative data is compiled and analyzed via a retrospective-prospective study design

which demonstrates the relationships between an organizations implementation of e-government

and overall participation rates of the clients they serve and how intervention can improve such

outcomes.

Correlational Study

A correlational study will be utilized to assess EHA’s current IT, citizen engagement and

communications infrastructure and outputs. The purpose of such a study will determine if there is

a relationship between a weakness in the initial strategic plan and the subsequent website and

communications content. This same correlational approach can be used to identify IT

infrastructures better suited to E-government.



In addition, causal relationships will be determined through the analysis of the model in

fig 1. Extraneous variables such as staff attitudes and available staffing and infrastructure should

have a marked influence on the resultant passive website.

Data collection will be primary and secondary in nature, where primary data is collected

via online surveys of EHA employees and clients on attitudinal scales of e-government in public

administration. Secondary data collection will analyze other housing authority websites and

citizen engagement methods of similar size and scope to understand what the fundamental

differences or what commonalities these organizations share with one another. Additional data

will be gathered from secondary journal articles to infer potential success rates for successful IT

implementation in e-government.

EHA’s Strategic Plan Passive Website

Attitudes, Staffing, Available

Infrastructure

Independent Variable Dependent

Variable


Figure 1


Findings and Recommendations

After studying and analyzing the Edinburg Housing Authority (EHA), the research team

has determined that the EHA lacks transparency efforts (E-government, Open Government, or

Gov 2.0), and has strategic planning that does not promote citizen engagement. The research

team proposes an analysis of EHA’s existing strategic plan(s).

An update or amendment to the existing plans should consist of thoughtful planning of a

transparent strategy with an E-government approach that will achieve the goal of true citizen

engagement that will shape and guide the Edinburg Housing Authority (EHA) for a better

future. The purpose of a five year transparency strategy, is to help EHA engage, collaborate,

share, and be continuously involved with the community by focusing on aligning the needs of the

public with the goals of the organization; therefore, allowing for both to share a vision of an

organization that is known for its world-class transparent customer service via any method

accessible to the public 365 days a year.

The goal(s) must be realistic and have the support of the community and the

Administration of the Edinburg Housing Authority (EHA). The update or amendment to the plan

needs to establish attainable goals and objectives that are in relation with the variables.

Strategic Terms:

Transparency - Openness, accountability, and honesty. E-Government - Electronic government, also known as e-gov, Internet government,

digital government, online government, connected government, which consists of the digital interactions between a citizen and their government (C2G), between governments and government agencies (G2G), between government and citizens (CGC).

Citizen Engagement - Open government linking the citizen to true transparency and accountability.

Goals – The object of a person's ambition or effort; an aim or desired result. Objectives – A thing aimed at or sought; a goal. Variables - An element, feature, or factor that is liable to vary or change.


References

”Building an open and innovative government for better policies and service delivery” - OECD Guiding Principles for Open and Inclusive Policy Making. (2010, June 9). Retrieved July 16, 2015, from http://www.oecd.org/gov/46560128.pdf

Definition of E-Government-The World Bank. (n.d.). Retrieved July 16, 2015, from http://web.worldbank.org

DiMaio, A. (2009, November 13). Government 2.0: A Gartner Definition - Andrea DiMaio. Retrieved July 16, 2015, from http://blogs.gartner.com/andrea_dimaio/2009/11/13/government-2-0-a-gartner-definition/

Edinburg Housing Authority in Texas. (n.d.). Retrieved July 8, 2015, from http://affordablehousingonline.com/housing-authority/Texas/Edinburg-Housing-Authority/TX062/

Edinburg Housing Authority Wins 11 Texas NAHRO Awards. (2015, July 11). Retrieved July 12, 2015, from http://www.themonitor.com/life/edinburg-housing-authority-wins-texas-nahro-awards/article_90369afc-2752-11e5-8ee9-63c6cda85421.html

Harper, L. (2013, June 10). A Citizen's Guide to Open Government, E-Government, and Government 2.0. Retrieved August 10, 2015, from https://onlinempa.unc.edu/a-citizens-guide-to-open-government-e-government-and-government-2-0/

Koh, C. E., Prybutok, V. R., Ryan, S., & Ibragimova, B. (2006). The importance of strategic readiness in an emerging e-government environment. Business Process Management Journal Vol 12 No.1, 22-33.

Section 8 Is Broken. (n.d.). Retrieved July 8, 2015, from http://www.nhi.org/online/issues/127/section8.html

UTPA Business Students Develop Strategic Plan for Edinburg Housing Authority. (2015, May 13). Retrieved July 13, 2015, from http://www.themonitor.com/life/utpa-business-students-develop-strategic-plan-for-edinburg-housing-authority/article_e08730ca-f8ef-11e4-ae69-ab9af7b75105.html

http://www.themonitor.com/life/utpa-business-students-develop-strategic-plan-for-edinburg-housing-authority/article_e08730ca-f8ef-11e4-ae69-ab9af7b75105.html



http://www.nhi.org/online/issues/127/section8.html



http://www.themonitor.com/life/edinburg-housing-authority-wins-texas-nahro-awards/article_90369afc-2752-11e5-8ee9-63c6cda85421.html

http://www.themonitor.com/life/edinburg-housing-authority-wins-texas-nahro-awards/article_90369afc-2752-11e5-8ee9-63c6cda85421.html

http://affordablehousingonline.com/housing-authority/Texas/Edinburg-Housing-Authority/TX062/

http://affordablehousingonline.com/housing-authority/Texas/Edinburg-Housing-Authority/TX062/

http://blogs.gartner.com/andrea_dimaio/2009/11/13/government-2-0-a-gartner-definition/

http://blogs.gartner.com/andrea_dimaio/2009/11/13/government-2-0-a-gartner-definition/

http://web.worldbank.org/

http://www.oecd.org/gov/46560128.pdf

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