The Edinburg Housing Authority (EHA), A Research Study on Transparency

8/13/2015 The Edinburg
Housing Authority
A Research Study on Transparency
PUBA 6306: Past, Present, and Future of Public Administration
Summer 2015, Module 2
Dr. 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
***********
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
**********
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 Proposal
August 13, 2015
***********

Table of Contents
Abstract ……………………………………………………………………… 6
Introduction ………………………………………………………………….. 7
Statement of Research Problem ……………………………………… 7
Hypothesis …………………………………………………………… 8
Organizational Profile …...................................................................... 9
Background ………………………………………………………………….. 10
Forms of Transparency ……………………………………………… 10
Open Government …………………………………………… 10
Gov 2.0 ………………………………………………………. 10
E-Government ……………………………………………….. 10
Literature Review ……………………………………………………………. 11
Overview ……………………………………………………………... 11
Purpose ……………………………………………………………….. 11
Recognition & Awards ……………………………………………….. 11
Previous Research Studies / Strategic Plans………………………...… 12
Strategic Plan (2014-2018) …………………………………… 12
Strategic Plan (2015-2020) …………………………………… 12
Transparency …………………………………………………………. 13
Transparency Terms ………………………………………….. 13
Open Government ……………………………………. 13
Gov 2.0 ……………………………………………….. 13
E-Government ………………………………………… 13
Sub-Sections / Transparency Initiatives ………………………………. 14
Citizen Engagement …………………………………………………… 14
Citizen Engagement & Technical Terms ……………………… 14
Findings and Results from Previous Studies ………………………….. 16
Strengths and Weaknesses ………………………………….................. 17
Research Methods …………………………………………………….. 17
Organizational Analysis ……………………………………………….. 18
Recommendations / Variables – Correlational ………………………… 18
About the Research Team ….………………………………………….. 19
Methodology …………………………………………………………………. 20
Mixed Methods Research ……………………………………………. 20
Correlational Study …………………………………………………... 20
Extraneous Variables ………………………………………………… 21
Findings and Recommendations ……………………………………………… 22
References ……………………………………………………………………. 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 ResearchProblem
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 ResearchStudies / 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/).

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

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

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.
ResearchMethods
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 ResearchTeam
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.

Extraneous Variables
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
ExtraneousVariables
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

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