Arlington Comprehensive Plan Update Adopted 3-17-2015 | Page 64

While the city does not directly provide elementary or secondary education services or facilities, the relationship with schools in the city is crucial to sustaining a quality educational system and providing adequate school facilities. Since school facility location choices interact with land uses decisions, cooperation between the city and school administrations is vital to ensure that schools are adequately located. Similar relationships must also be maintained with the University of Texas at Arlington and Tarrant County College, as they have similar roles in providing higher education facilities within Arlington. Perceptions about the quality of local schools influence how residents view the community as a whole. While school quality can be subjective, the perceived quality can affect housing prices and housing values. The Arlington Independent School District, for example, is responding to districtwide needs by reinvesting in facilities and programs. A $663.1 million dollar bond election passed in 2014, and proceeds will be used to build new facilities, address safety and security districtwide, upgrade technology infrastructure and equipment, provide fine arts equipment, and address transportation issues. Human Services The need for health and human services has increased as a result of the nationwide economic downturn that started in 2008. The segment of the population 55 years and older has grown the most since 2000, and the amount of services this age group will require will continue to increase. This is a natural trend, considering the Baby Boomer generation is now entering their 60s, and advances in health care allow many more people to live well into their 80s and beyond. The city actively addresses many issues through its 5-year Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan, which lists the proposed projects that will be implemented with funds provided from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Many 58