Austin city leaders are pushing an initiative to improve Hispanic quality of life.  It will be modeled after the city led African-American Quality of Life initiative that began in 2005 and cost more than $700,000.

The Hispanic community makes up 37-percent of the population in the city limits.  Councilmember Mike Martinez says the community is long overdue for a conversation related to Hispanic issues.  The initiative passed overwhelmingly and now goes to City Manager Marc Ott for funding.

“I think we’re going to identify key areas of concern, talking about education, healthcare, workforce development, and see what it is as a community we can do to improve opportunities for Hispanics,” said Martinez.  “We've implemented every recommendation as of two weeks ago. It's a living breathing document, not something that just goes away. This is not just an issue that goes away."

According to the latest U.S. Census data, more than 460,000 Hispanics live in the greater Austin area, a 35-percent increase since the year 2000.  By 2011, the Hispanic population will increase to more than 560,000, making Hispanics the largest minority population in the area at 31-percent.

"Given we'll be the minority majority by 2020, it's important for us to start working on addressing those critical issues that face our community,” said Paul Sadana, President and Principal of Adelante Solutions, Inc.

The goal of the initiative is to develop an action plan that closes the performance gap in education, ensures minority and women-owned businesses are successful and that Hispanics remain engaged in the community.

"What we're saying with the Hispanic Quality of Life is let's not wait until there is a critical issue or crisis facing our community.  Let's take the momentum and synergy we have and engage folks to do something in the future,” said Saldana.

Gathering information for this project will be a two-year process.  Supporters say it will create a document that will benefit Austin for years.