Equitable and Community-Driven Development June 14th, 2017
Who We Are o o ELACC was founded 21years ago to advocate for economic and social justice issues in Boyle Heights and Unincorporated East Los Angeles. We work to provide economic and housing services to low-income families, but also build grassroots leadership and community led campaigns to address root causes of economic and housing injustice.
Our Approach HOUSING JUSTICE ECONOMIC JUSTICE
Historical Context 1935 1909 1940 s 1970s 1990s
Land Use Context Racial Covenants Red Lining Suburbanization White Flight Pacific Palisades Santa Monica/ Venice Beverly Hills Mid-Wilshire Culver City Hollywood Baldwin Hills Ingleswood Silverlake Echo Park MacArth ur Park Sur Los Angeles Vernon Central Eagle Rock Alhambra Chávez Ravine Boyle Heights Huntington Park/ South Gate
Boyle Heights Today o o o o 6.6 sq. miles 99,000 population 95% Latino 14,000 resident per sq/mile (high) o $24,000 AMI- family of 4 o (Compared to $82,000 LA County AMI) o o 76% renters 61% of households spend more than 30% of income on rent
Investment Map, Foreclosure Data, Rent Increase Data,
Caridad Vasquez
Our Approach HOUSING JUSTICE ECONOMIC JUSTICE Housing Development Tenant Services Community Organizing Community Asset Development Asset and Wealth Building Services Community Organizing
The People s Plan Metro Campaign Street Vending
ELACC s Proposal Los Tulilpanes and Los Lirios Affordable Housing Developed on Metro-owned land through Metro s Joint Development Program Los Tulipanes Senior Apartments Project Mixed use affordable housing TOD project with 5,000 Sq. Ft. retail and 38 senior units large community room Unit Mix One - bedroom units: 37; Two - bedroom units: 1 Affordability 30-60% AMI Parking 26 Spaces + 1 loading Los Lirios Family Apartments Project Mixed use affordable housing TOD project with 12, 500 Sq Ft retail and 48 family housing units (restricted.(a total of 49 units, large community room Unit Mix One bdrm:18; Two bedrm: 13;Three bedrm:18 Affordability 30-60% AMI Parking 60 Spaces + 1 loading
Challenges o We were perceived as just a developer and not as a community-based organization. o The community was critical of Metro s process (and rightfully so) and convoluted our proposal with other Metro proposals. They were all deemed bad developments imposed on the community because of Metro s lack of transparency. o Other community organizations who had taken a stance against all development became critical of our work. o Our own base started to raise questions on the affordability levels of our housing development
Equitable and Community-Driven Development?
Pragmatic Organizing Transformative Organizing Pragmatic organizing looks at the currently available paths and finds the one that seems to be the most feasible given current constraints/opportunities. It focuses on current conditions and endeavors to make the most out of them possible. In general, ideology is not as important as achieving realistic accomplishments. You fight for just and immediate demands, but you don t need to frame campaigns within fundamental structural challenges to systems of oppression. Transformative organizing is in opposition to the oppressive power structures of hetero-patriarchy, white supremacy, and capitalism and seeks to transform the political and socio-economic system itself. It leads with a vision and transforms the consciousness of people who participate in the process of building organizations, campaigns, and movements. It builds individual and collective capacity to fundamentally challenge systems of oppression.
Leadership Academy o 14 session training for ELACC tenants and community members (non ELACC tenants) where they: Learn about systems and root causes of socio-economic issues Learn basics of organizing and advocacy Practice popular education to create communal and interactive learning space
Leadership Academy Building Housing for Poor Communities Under Capitalism in the United States THE STATE (federal government, state, local) + CAPTIALISTS (owners of the means of production) + CIVIL SOCIETY (non-profit organizations, religious organizations, community organizations) = Housing for our Communities (public housing, affordable housing)
Grupo de Trabajo del Derecho a la Tierra Right to the Land Workgroup o Community leaders who have built a vision around the belief that housing and land are human rights o Meet bi-weekly to organize and advocate around housing and land-use issues o Are involved in city, state, and national coalitions that support Renter Protections and development of more Affordable Housing o Support ELACC staff in developing communitydriven engagement tactics and building community support for affordable housing
Los Lirios Community Engagement Youth and Education Focus Group Community Meeting Affordable Housing 101 Community Meeting on Different Options Homeowner and Property Owner Focus Group
Los Lirios Community-Driven Development
Linda Vista Community Land Trust o o Offers opportunity for community controlled land and promotes communal ownership Evolving Community-Driven Process Months of community visioning before landing on any specific development concept Establishing separate non-profit entity, separate board, guiding values and principles, before engaging development timeline Trust-building among community members, educational workshops and leadership development Video
Equitable and Community-Driven Development Organizing Leadership Arts &Culture Development