Community Progress Makers (CPM) Winners Series: ELACC
5.13.2019
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LISC StoriesEconomic Development
The Community Progress Makers fund is a $20 million, two-year initiative by the Citi Foundation to support high-impact community organizations that are driving economic opportunities in their communities. These 40 change agents are addressing a range of urban challenges in the U.S., from economic development and affordable housing to environmental sustainability and urban infrastructure. In addition to core operating grant support, Community Progress Makers have access to technical assistance from leading experts and are part of a learning cohort to share best practices.
LISC LA was named part of the City Progress Makers cohort and joins organizations working in Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, San Francisco Bay Area, and Washington D.C. The Los Angeles cohort is made up of 7 dynamic organizations that are leading economic and housing inclusion initiatives across the County. LISC LA’s longtime partner, East LA Community Corporation (ELACC) is also one of the forty winners of the Community Progress Makers fund.
East LA Community Corporation (ELACC) works across multiple neighborhoods to create housing that retains their arts and culture, while at the same time improving the quality of life for those they serve. As community organizers, they cultivate leadership and facilitate civic engagement to ensure responsible economic development that benefits current residents. As bilingual financial counselors, they educate families and individuals on mainstream financial tools, their rights as consumers, and resources that help them build and sustain their assets and wealth. They're in the business of changing the trajectories of entire families.
ELACC with neighbors celebrating May Day 2019.
As a Community Progress Maker, they will continue to work to curtail the displacement of East LA residents by building grassroots leadership to advocate for local needs, developing affordable housing, and providing access to economic opportunities for the families and businesses that call Boyle Heights and East Los Angeles home.
Fighting gentrification has been a driving force behind our work in Boyle Heights and East Los Angeles, where a large number of low-income families are struggling to stay in the neighborhood.
LISC LA has a 24 year relationship with ELACC. Over the years, we have supported ELACC with $4,969,109.64 of capital investments to build affordable housing units and $1,312,629.53 in grants to support their capacity as community development leaders. This year, we are inspired by their pursuit of establishing a Community Land Trust for East LA residents.
ELACC with Renters' Right to Counsel Los Angeles and City Councilmember Paul Koretz at a press conference calling for Mayor Garcetti and City Council to approve $10 million in funds for a right to legal representation for tenants facing eviction.
ELACC is leveraging its experience in land development, community organizing, and community wealth building to innovate land ownership through new programs. The Tierra Libre Community Land Trust is a program to start the first community land trust in Boyle Heights to address the challenge of resident ownership of land and increasing access to affordable housing.
