Neighbors at work to help
elderly in the community.

Housing & Neighborhood Services Department Community Tool Shed

In 2002 the City of San Antonio’s Housing & Neighborhood Services Department was awarded a $20,000 grant from the Annie E. Casey Foundation to support the Neighborhood Sweep Program and special beautification and clean-up projects in distressed neighborhoods. The Neighborhood Action Department (HNSD) has utilized Annie E. Casey foundation funds to acquire equipment, tools and supplies necessary to establish a community tool shed as recommended through the Community Revitalization Action Group. HNSD has purchased push mowers, weed eaters, riding mowers, chain saws, and other equipment which is available to San Antonio neighborhoods through the Community Tool Shed.

In addition to being used in conjunction with the Extreme Target Sweep Program, the items are available to recognized community and neighborhood-based groups and individual residents interested in completing beautification and clean-up projects in distressed communities. To qualify for use of Community Tool Shed equipment an individual or organization must provide the following information: Name, Address, Phone Number of recognized organization/individual, point of contact for organization, description of Service Project to be completed (including location/address), and the number of volunteers to be coordinated.

Use of equipment must be coordinated with staff of the Extreme Target Sweep Program at a minimum of a week in advance. Tools will be assigned on a first come first serve basis, so it is recommended that you submit your request at your earliest convenience to ensure that equipment is available. At time of request for tools, an organization or individual must also submit dates and times for pick up of tools and drop off of tools.

One of the goals of the Community Tool Shed is to encourage recognized community and neighborhood based groups and individual residents to coordinate problem-solving strategies at the neighborhood level with the support of the City.

Use of tools from the Community Tool Shed is coordinated in partnership with various Departments, including the San Antonio Police Department and the Parks and Recreation Department. SAFFE Officers in partnership with Code Enforcement Officers located in each SAFFE Unit will utilize the Community Tool Shed to address safety and code issues in neighborhoods.