Changemakers LA

In 2020, LISC-LA created the South LA Economic Inclusion Implementation Plan, a 3-year implementation plan that supports an integrated, place-based approach to advancing economic mobility for communities in South LA.

The plan recommendations seek to connect South LA residents and businesses across three distinct districts in South LA: the Crenshaw Corridor, Exposition Park, and the Goodyear Tract to the regional economy and foster connection across local organizations to create ladders of economic opportunity for South LA residents.

The recommendations outlined in the South LA Economic Inclusion Implementation Plan seek to grow South LA’s strengths, combat the root of institutional oppression, and connect local organizations to bring more accessible economic opportunity for all South LA residents.

In this episode, Tunua sits down with three of our South LA Implementation partners and HUD S4 grantees to discuss what can be done for advancing economic mobility for communities in South LA.

View the full shownotes here: https://www.lisc.org/los-angeles/regional-stories/advancing-economic-mobility-communities-south-la/

In 2018, almost half of all renters in the United States were considered to be either moderately or severely cost-burdened, which means housing costs exceeded 30% of the family income. The COVID-19 crisis has highlighted and exacerbated the growing income inequality that has left millions of households behind.

Specifically, income inequality between Black and White households worsened. Although the median incomes of both Black and White households grew in the last decade, Black household incomes rose much more slowly. The median income for Black households in 2019 was $43,200—roughly 60% of that of white households and the lowest of all other racial groups.

In this episode, Tunua sits down with three experts to explore the topic of advancing equitable growth in the affordable housing industry.

Joining LISC LA for this conversation are:

The average net worth of a White family in America is 10x greater than the average net worth of a Black family. Let that sink in. In this episode, Tunua sits down with two experts to explore the topic of Coronavirus resiliency and racial inequity, especially during this unprecedented time.

Joining LISC LA for this conversation are:

In this episode we explore:

** This episode was recorded in December 2020 **

We’re almost a full year into the COVID-19 crisis and so many individuals and businesses are months behind in their rent due to the effects of the pandemic. In this episode, Tunua sits down with 3 experts to chat about the timely topic of cancelling the rent and what steps we can take to work to provide rent relief to those in need.

Joining LISC LA for this conversation are:

In this episode we explore:

About our panel:

Tom DeSimone, CEO and President of Genesis LA. Genesis LA’s mission is to deliver financial solutions that advance economic and social opportunities in underserved communities. As President and CEO, Tom brings years experience to funding and implementing capital resources for work on much needed local community development.

Director of Community Economic Development of the Little Tokyo Service Center, Tak Suzuki. Tak is a veteran at the The Little Tokyo Service Center having spent 20 years serving the Little Tokyo community. Through his work at the LTSC he helps provide social services and community development focused on improving the lives of local individuals and families.

Rudy Espinoza is the Executive Director of Inclusive Action for the City, a leader in local community development with extensive experience in the field. At Inclusive Action, he leads the organization as they work to bring people together to build strong, local economies that uplift low-income urban communities through advocacy and transformative economic development initiatives

This pandemic has been with us for over half a year. And though the mask wearing and social distancing have become a part of everyday life, small businesses – especially those in historically marginalized communities – are still feeling the impact of COVID-19 just as intensely as when it first began. Business owners may be settling into this new normal, but it begs the question: what is the best way to promote resilience in our communities right now, in a way that is sustainable and provides for people struggling in the current moment? Today, we’re hoping to answer some of those questions through the frame of economic development and community investment.

In this episode of the Changemakers LA podcast, we meet with leaders with firsthand experience in the community development field during COVID-19 and beyond.

Joining LISC LA for this conversation are:

- Mikaela Randolph, the board president of SoLA Food Co-op, a community owned grocery business

- Mary Lee, the former Deputy Director of PolicyLink

- Robert Lewis, the President of the Black Cooperative Investment Fund

In this episode we explore:

- How small minority-owned businesses can promote thriving local economies

- How and why gentrification impact small businesses, especially in LA and especially during COVID-19

- How the pandemic will impact business and community development in the years to come, specifically in LA

This episode of the Changemakers LA Podcast was made possible by our partner, JP Morgan Chase. To learn more about our community investment and small business investment programs, visit our website at https://www.lisc.org/los-angeles 

In the past year, the number of people experiencing homelessness within the Los Angeles County has risen by 13%. But today, hundreds of thousands more Angelenos are at risk of losing their homes as the pandemic has thrown both our city’s physical and financial health into limbo. In response to this crisis within a crisis, the City has protected Angelenos from ending up without a home by instating an eviction moratorium. But with thousands at risk and the moratorium set to expire, how do we prepare for what is still to come? 

In this episode of the Changemakers LA podcast, we meet with leaders taking on homelessness in Los Angeles to discuss what is yet to come and how we can best respond.

Joining LISC LA for this conversation are:

In this conversation we explore:

This episode of the Changemakers LA Podcast was made possibly by our partner, Wells Fargo.

This podcast was recorded on 8/24. If you would like to learn more, visit the show notes at: https://www.lisc.org/los-angeles/, or view the Affordable Housing Toolkit at https://www.lisc.org/los-angeles/covid-19-response/supporting-affordable-housing-owners-during-covid-19/.

In recent months of pandemic response, the ‘Safer at Home’ order has reminded us of the importance and necessity of housing for a safe and healthy Los Angeles. However, for Angelenos at risk of losing housing or without a home, it has brought about an intensified need for supportive, affordable housing. As our city is coming to an acute awareness of the importance of housing for all, we must reform and expedite our approaches to working towards a housed and healthy Los Angeles.

On this Changemakers LA episode, we discuss the future of housing in this unprecedented time. We are proud to have Paul Beesemyer, Bill Huang, Rebecca Louie, and Audrey Peterson join us to discuss the effects of the current pandemic on affordable housing.

Our guests joining us for this episode are:

● Paul Beesemyer, Director of Southern California for the California Housing Partnership

● Bill Huang, Director of the Housing and Career Services Department for the City of Pasadena

● Rebecca Louie, Vice President/COO of Wakeland HDC

● Audrey Peterson, Senior Projects Manager at Clifford Beers Housing

In this episode, you will learn:

● What the coronavirus has taught the field about the relationship between housing, health and safety

● How coronavirus and the resulting lockdown is affecting the already rising demand for affordable housing

● How developers can adapt the services they provide to better serve residents who are sheltering in place

This episode of Changemakers LA was made possible by our partner, MUFG Union Bank.

If you would like to learn more, visit the show notes at https://www.lisc.org/los-angeles/regional-stories/changemakers-la-future-housing-unprecedented-time

A shortage of affordable housing is causing displacement of residents and driving some into homelessness. While policymakers are trying to find ways to preserve affordable units and to encourage the development of new ones, some nonprofit organizations have figured out how to make more affordable housing available faster and cheaper.

On this Changemakers LA episode, we discuss a couple of innovative housing solutions. We are proud to have Brilliant Corners and Genesis LA join us to discuss what they’re doing to make housing development faster and less expensive.

Our guests joining us for this episode are:

In this episode, you will learn:

If you would like to learn more about how we provide capital support for innovative housing at LISC LA, please visit us online at https://www.lisc.org/los-angeles and follow us on twitter @LISC_LA

More than 150,000 Californians slept in shelters, cars or on the street in 2019. This reflected a 17% increase from 2018. Close to 59,000 people were homeless in L.A. County, 61% of which represent the city of L.A.

Rising rents have displaced lower-income Californians and created a shortage of 1.4 million affordable housing units. While $1 billion in this year’s state budget has been allocated to help build shelters and long-term housing, eviction counseling and other homeless prevention strategies are needed.

On this Changemakers LA episode, we discuss how landlords and community members can mitigate displacement and keep residents housed. We are proud to have Social Justice Learning Institute and Mercy Housing join us to discuss what they’ve done to support residents stay in their homes.

Our guests joining us for this episode are:

• Dr. D’Artagnan Scorza, Founder and Executive Director of the Social Justice Learning Institute

In this episode, you will learn:

• What it took to get rent control in Inglewood

Resource:  Eviction Prevention Program (EPP) http://www.neighborworks.org/Documents/TrainingandServices_Docs/Training_ProfDev_Docs/In-Person-Training/Eviction-Prevention-Programming-Best-Practices-Review.aspx

Learn more about our work at https://www.lisc.org/los-angeles

Union Pacific Railroad partnered with LISC in 2018, investing $3 million to connect unemployed and underemployed workers to LISC Financial Opportunity Centers (FOCs) in four cities nationwide including Los Angeles. The funding supports connecting low-income residents to careers in the Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics (TDL) industry. According to the LA Economic Development Corporation’s Report on the TDL Sector in Southern California, this industry is on the rise as the San Pedro Port Complex (Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach) continues to grow and expand impact across the region. The Complex handles more containers per ship than any other port complex in the world.

On this Changemakers LA episode, we discuss the goals of the partnership and the successes we’ve seen so far. We are proud to have Union Pacific, CRCD and MAOF join us to discuss how they’re connecting low-income residents to living wage jobs.

Our guests joining us for this episode are:

In this episode, you will learn:

Learn more about LISC and the work we do on our website at https://www.lisc.org/los-angeles