Our Work
Our Work
T.R.U.S.T. South LA works with low-income community residents to transform the built environment and social conditions in South Los Angeles by: serving as a steward for community-controlled land; being a catalyst for values-driven, community-serving development; building awareness and community leadership in issues of housing, transportation and recreation; and creating programs and initiatives that encourage community building and economic opportunity.
Land Stewardship
Environmental &
Mobility Justice
Membership & Leadership Development
Advocacy
Land Stewardship
What is a CLT
T.R.U.S.T South LA is a community land trust (CLT) grounded in the leadership of South LA residents to prevent displacement, promote equitable development, and ensure affordable dignified housing and other community benefits.
A CLT is a 501(c)3 that works towards de-commodifying real estate by acquiring, managing, and developing land to ensure permanent affordability and democratic community control. As a CLT, we foster stewardship, or responsibility of care, by separating the land from the buildings’ services on the land. The CLT holds the land and through its democratic governance ensures the property is taken out of the market and is protected as a community good for generations. The CLT then supports its buildings’ residents to exercise community control, or the ability to democratically manage their buildings.
Our current portfolio includes 157 permanently affordable housing units, through the preservation of unsubsidized housing, as well as new construction.
Through community ownership, CLTs enable residents to have a say in local development, preserve affordability, and create opportunities for community-driven decision-making. This model stabilizes neighborhoods by maintaining access to housing and services for current and future residents.
Rolland Curtis Gardens
138 Units, Mixed Use (St Johns Health Clinic, and Commercial Space)
Development Partners: Abode Communities
Financing: 4% LIHTC + Bonds, 9% LIHTC + Bonds, AHSC, Private loans
In 2011, a new owner of the poorly maintained 48-unit complex moved to transform the USC-adjacent property into market-rate student housing by issuing tenants 60-day notices to vacate. T.R.U.S.T. South LA elevated residents’ voices to begin intervening and preventing their displacement. In 2012, T.R.U.S.T. South LA established a partnership with nonprofit developer Abode Communities, to purchase the site for $8.33 million and quickly began a community engagement process to empower residents in the planning and design of the development, which now features a community health clinic and commercial site. “T.R.U.S.T. South LA and Abode Communities brought us together and helped us understand our rights,” said artist David Mosely, a returning resident.
The development was opened in 2019, where TRUST South LA supported all tenants who had a right to return to submit their documentation to continue as residents of the new development. About 50% of the original tenants were able to return.
As a Transit Oriented Development (TOD) in Exposition Park, RCG features an east and west building with a total of 138 affordable housing units, open space, 9000 square feet of community-serving commercial space.
T.R.U.S.T. South LA remain as owner of the land and has a ground lease agreement with Abode communities to remain as owners and managers of the housing units, health clinic and commercial space.
South LA Community Mosaic
Multi-Family, 5 Units
Development Partners: Restore Neighborhoods Los Angeles (RNLA)
Financing: Lorenzo Development Community Benefits Agreement, Genesis LA, Enterprise Community Partners, Catholic Campaign for Human Development
Acquired in 2016, this multifamily building marked a significant milestone for TRUST as its first step in expanding the Community Mosaic Program, aimed at preserving affordable small and medium-sized multifamily residential units in South Los Angeles. Partially funded through the Lorenzo Project Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) secured by the UNIDAD coalition, the acquisition also highlighted the pivotal role of local CDFI Genesis LA, which provided its inaugural loan to a Community Land Trust. This initiative not only advanced anti-displacement efforts but also reinforced the principles of community control and equitable development.
Vecinos 23
Multi-Family, 2 units
Financing: Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA) Community Land Trust Partnership Program, CDFI Loan
Through LA County Development Authority’s CLT Partnership Program, TRUST South LA successfully acquired a duplex in the Adams Normandie neighborhood, home to long-time South LA residents and located just blocks from University Park and USC. The property owner, a motivated seller, was committed to supporting TRUST’s mission of promoting community ownership and helping transition the property to tenant ownership. He engaged with TRUST’s staff for over four years, patiently waiting for the right opportunity to sell his property in a way that would benefit his tenants. In December 2021, he sold the duplex to TRUST South LA for less than half its speculative market value, ensuring his tenants had a viable path to becoming homeowners.
“As a landlord, you realize you have a lot of power and that’s [what] bothered me: this idea of power over someone… To me, that dehumanizes both the tenant and the landlord. Human life and human community should not be organized in such a fashion. So at some point, I had to ask myself, ‘Do I want to continue to live my life as that kind of person?”
– Joe Bautista, Former Landlord who sold his property to TRUST South LA
Reclamar la Tierra
Multifamily, 4 units
Financing: Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA) Community Land Trust Partnership Pilot Program, CDFI Loan
In May 2022, TRUST South LA achieved a significant milestone by acquiring its second property through the LA County Development Authority’s Community Land Trust Partnership Program. This building, home to long-standing residents, is located in the historic Pico-Union neighborhood, just a few blocks from downtown’s L.A. Live and north of USC. This acquisition is a major victory for neighborhood stabilization, as the area faces pressures from gentrification. Securing this site for permanent affordability safeguards its residents against displacement.
5900 Figueroa
6 units multi-family, new construction
Development Partners: Little Tokyo Service Center
Financing: 3Cs Initiative
The Connecting Capital and Community (3C) initiative, facilitated by the Center for Community Investment, is funding innovative collectives in cities across the U.S. to tackle our housing crisis and generations of disinvestment in communities of color. The Los Angeles 3C table, led by Genesis LA, includes partners, T.R.U.S.T. South LA, Little Tokyo Service Center, Coalition for Responsible Community Development, Community Coalition, and architects at Off Top Design.
Through this initiative, we were able to remove one more parcel of land from the speculative housing market from the Figueroa corridor. With our development partner, Little Tokyo Service Center, we are constructing 6 units into permanently affordable ownership as a Transit Oriented Development. This site is located within the $35 million Transformative Climate Communities investment boundary and just a block away from the Rail-to-Rail active transport corridor. This development is positioned to further advance our mission to stabilize this neighborhood amid great investment for a South LA that is climate resilient.
Membership and Leadership Development
Empowering South LA Through Leadership Development
At T.R.U.S.T. South LA, we are cultivating a movement where residents are not just participants but also leaders, advocates, and architects of a more equitable and vibrant South Los Angeles. Our Membership and Leadership Development initiatives empower residents with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to drive meaningful change, while also addressing the pressing needs of the broader community.
Leadership Development at Every Level
Our programs are designed to foster civic engagement, deepen understanding of systemic issues, and empower residents to take active roles in shaping South LA’s future.
Membership Meetings
Membership meetings provide a welcoming space for members to discuss priorities, address challenges, and collaborate on solutions. These gatherings allow members to influence the organization’s direction and ensure their voices remain central to our work. Members in good standing are eligible to take on leadership roles, including running for and participating in elections for the Board of Directors.
Board of Directors
Our board operates under a unique tripartite structure to ensure community representation and accountability:
- Four leaseholder representatives living in T.R.U.S.T. South LA Community Land Trust (CLT) properties
- Four general members earning below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI)
- Four public representatives from allied organizations, appointed by the board and confirmed by a two-thirds membership vote at the annual meeting
- Three additional appointees selected by the board
This structure embodies the Community Land Trust model’s commitment to strong community governance and shared power.
Leadership Development Opportunities
Through in-house training sessions and partnerships with value-aligned organizations, our members participate in transformative programs that immerse them in the history of South LA’s justice movements. These programs provide hands-on training in advocacy, campaign development, and civic engagement, equipping participants to become effective leaders in their communities.
Civic Empowerment
We empower residents to engage in civic processes, advocate for policy changes, and lead campaigns that amplify South LA voices. By equipping members to take meaningful action, we ensure that South LA residents are leading transformative change in their communities.
Addressing Immediate Needs While Fostering Engagement
In addition to leadership development, T.R.U.S.T. South LA supports residents by connecting them with external resources to address housing, mobility, and food insecurity.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we expanded our efforts to meet urgent community needs:
- Provided food assistance to over 5,000 families over three years.
- Managed the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), securing $6.4 million in rental arrears for 800 South LA families and 200 others across California.
These efforts not only stabilized families during a crisis but also inspired many residents to transition from receiving support to becoming active community leaders. Several have joined the Board of Directors or committees, further strengthening the organization’s reach and impact.
Transforming South LA Through Collective Action
At T.R.U.S.T. South LA, we believe that lasting change begins with community leadership. By combining leadership development with direct support, we address systemic barriers while creating opportunities for stability, growth, and resilience across South LA.
Together, we are building a united South LA where justice, equity, and opportunity thrive.
Housing Advocacy
LA County CLT Pilot Program
In 2022, T.R.U.S.T. South LA along with members of the LA Community Land Trust (LACLT) coalition finalized the first round of the LA County CLT Pilot Program, which was passed in 2020.
The program allocated $14 million for the purchase of unsubsidized properties for affordable housing. Preliminary findings suggest the program offers a cost-effective, missing strategy that, if scaled, could intervene and combat displacement in low-income communities of color and mitigate the risk of vulnerable populations falling into homelessness.
Together, the LACLT coalition acquired 8 buildings, establishing permanent affordability of 43 homes and preventing the displacement of 110 community members. And we partnered with Liberty Hill Foundation, The California Endowment, and LeSar Development Consultants to evaluate the program. The report can be found here.
Los Angeles County Affordable Housing Solutions Agency (LACAHSA)
SB 679 was signed into law in 2022, it would establish a new regional government entity called the Los Angeles County Affordable Housing Solutions Agency (LACAHSA). The agency will focus on allocating more funding for non-traditional solutions for housing production, housing preservation, and renters/tenant protections.
It is made up of a 21-member Board of Directors, with representatives from LA County, LA City, San Gabriel Valley, Southeast LA, South Bay, North County and San Fernando Valley, Small Cities, 3 experts in production, preservation, and protections, and a citizen’s oversight chair.
The LA Community Land Trust (LACLT) coalition is happy to have Jonathan Jager, Staff Attorney at Public Counsel, serve as the production expert on the LACAHSA Board.
T.R.U.S.T. South LA works closely with the LACAHSA Board Experts to provide support and coordinate the experts as they craft strategies to address housing production, preservation, and protections.
Measure ULA
In 2022, voters across LA City passed Measure ULA, a citizen initiative. Measure ULA is a one-time tax on the sale of properties above $5 million to fund affordable housing production, homelessness prevention, and social housing. Along with our United to House LA coalition allies, T.R.U.S.T. South LA is actively involved in implementing Measure ULA so that it addresses homelessness and housing insecurity and designs a path for social housing.
USC Development Agreement
In 2012, the UNIDAD (United Neighbors in Defense Against Displacement) Coalition worked closely with the City of Los Angeles as the City negotiated a Community Benefits Agreement for the South LA neighborhoods adjacent to University of Southern California (USC).
After years of the coaltion’s community organizing efforts, these were among the resulting benefits — job training, local hire, and a $15-20M affordable housing fund.
The first $10M of the housing benefits were paid by USC to the City in 2013, with an additional $5M paid in 2023, and, if USC is not providing on-campus housing to 70% of their undergraduate students, an additional $5M will be paid by the University in 2033.
T.R.U.S.T. South LA, along with key allies from the UNIDAD coalition, have engaged in a lengthy process to advocate for South Central families– advocating so that the city deploys much needed funds for the preservation of affordable housing along the USC Nexus Area. An area that has seen an increase in costs of housing and displacement of long-term South LA residents.
Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA)
Since 2021, the LACLT Coalition has been advocating for the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to adopt the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA) which would create new rights for tenants that would give them the first opportunity to buy the building they live in if and when the building owner decides to sell.
On May 22, 2023, the LA County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs released their report on recommendations for an LA County TOPA policy.
The LACLT Coaliiton continues to educate residents in LA County, especially unincorporated areas of Los Angeles, around the importance of TOPA and the positive impacts it can have on combating gentrification and displacement and stabilizing families.
Environmental & mobility Justice
South LA Eco-Lab
The South LA Eco-Lab is a $35 million initiative funded by the California Strategic Growth Council (SGC) through its Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) Program. This project aims to implement transformative climate initiatives, including the planting of 6,000 shade and fruit trees, the installation of solar roofs and EV charging stations, and the expansion of car-sharing and the LADOT e-bike library.
In addition, the Eco-Lab will create workforce development opportunities for South LA residents and provide free Metro passes to over 10,000 eligible individuals. A Displacement Avoidance Plan is also in place, offering free tenants’ rights workshops and additional resources.
T.R.U.S.T. South LA is leading the community engagement efforts alongside Strategic Concepts in Organizing and Policy Education (SCOPE) and CicLAvia, working to educate South LA residents about the climate-resilient resources available to their community.
BlueLA – Electric Car Share Program
BlueLA is a partnership launched in 2018 between the Mayor’s Office, the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT), the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), and the California Air Resources Board (CARB). The program provides affordable, clean transportation options through a network of 100 electric vehicles available for short-term rentals at 40 designated on-street stations throughout Los Angeles. Rental rates start at just $5 per hour for income-qualified users, ensuring accessibility for many residents.
With significant funding from CARB’s California Climate Investments and LADWP, and operated by Blink Mobility, BlueLA aims to expand to 300 vehicles and 100 stations by 2024. As it enters Phase II, the program will enhance access in South LA, Boyle Heights, and East Hollywood by actively seeking feedback from local residents and small business owners.
T.R.U.S.T. South LA is a key player in community engagement, ensuring residents are informed about the program and its benefits while gathering input to address the needs of disadvantaged communities. The Steering Committee, comprising six community-based organizations—including KIWA, SALEF, PMJ, Thai CDC, and Ciclavia—leverages their local roots and expertise to raise awareness and promote mobility justice, facilitating access to affordable, greener transportation for underserved populations.
South Central Power Up – E-Bike Lending Library
The South Central Power Up – E-Bike Lending Library program is a pilot initiative designed to enhance mobility for the South Central community by offering up to 250 e-bikes, including commuter, cargo, and adaptive models. T.R.U.S.T. South LA plays a vital role as a community partner and hub location, facilitating access to these environmentally friendly, motor-powered bikes. This program not only provides a cleaner alternative to gas-powered vehicles, helping to reduce harmful emissions, but also offers residents an affordable and accessible means of transportation. With benefits including lower costs compared to cars and the opportunity for all riders to experience e-biking, this initiative aims to promote sustainable commuting and local exploration.
Land Stewardship
What is a CLT
T.R.U.S.T South LA is a community land trust (CLT) grounded in the leadership of South LA residents to prevent displacement, promote equitable development, and ensure affordable dignified housing and other community benefits.
A CLT is a 501(c)3 that works towards de-commodifying real estate by acquiring, managing, and developing land to ensure permanent affordability and democratic community control. As a CLT, we foster stewardship, or responsibility of care, by separating the land from the buildings’ services on the land. The CLT holds the land and through its democratic governance ensures the property is taken out of the market and is protected as a community good for generations. The CLT then supports its buildings’ residents to exercise community control, or the ability to democratically manage their buildings.
Our current portfolio includes 157 permanently affordable housing units, through the preservation of unsubsidized housing, as well as new construction.
Through community ownership, CLTs enable residents to have a say in local development, preserve affordability, and create opportunities for community-driven decision-making. This model stabilizes neighborhoods by maintaining access to housing and services for current and future residents.
Rolland Curtis Gardens
138 Units, Mixed Use (St Johns Health Clinic, and Commercial Space)
Development Partners: Abode Communities
Financing: 4% LIHTC + Bonds, 9% LIHTC + Bonds, AHSC, Private loans
In 2011, a new owner of the poorly maintained 48-unit complex moved to transform the USC-adjacent property into market-rate student housing by issuing tenants 60-day notices to vacate. T.R.U.S.T. South LA elevated residents’ voices to begin intervening and preventing their displacement. In 2012, T.R.U.S.T. South LA established a partnership with nonprofit developer Abode Communities, to purchase the site for $8.33 million and quickly began a community engagement process to empower residents in the planning and design of the development, which now features a community health clinic and commercial site. “T.R.U.S.T. South LA and Abode Communities brought us together and helped us understand our rights,” said artist David Mosely, a returning resident.
The development was opened in 2019, where TRUST South LA supported all tenants who had a right to return to submit their documentation to continue as residents of the new development. About 50% of the original tenants were able to return.
As a Transit Oriented Development (TOD) in Exposition Park, RCG features an east and west building with a total of 138 affordable housing units, open space, 9000 square feet of community-serving commercial space.
T.R.U.S.T. South LA remain as owner of the land and has a ground lease agreement with Abode communities to remain as owners and managers of the housing units, health clinic and commercial space.
South LA Community Mosaic
Multi-Family, 5 Units
Development Partners: Restore Neighborhoods Los Angeles (RNLA)
Financing: Lorenzo Development Community Benefits Agreement, Genesis LA, Enterprise Community Partners, Catholic Campaign for Human Development
Acquired in 2016, this multifamily building marked a significant milestone for TRUST as its first step in expanding the Community Mosaic Program, aimed at preserving affordable small and medium-sized multifamily residential units in South Los Angeles. Partially funded through the Lorenzo Project Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) secured by the UNIDAD coalition, the acquisition also highlighted the pivotal role of local CDFI Genesis LA, which provided its inaugural loan to a Community Land Trust. This initiative not only advanced anti-displacement efforts but also reinforced the principles of community control and equitable development.
Vecinos 23
Multi-Family, 2 units
Financing: Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA) Community Land Trust Partnership Program, CDFI Loan
Through LA County Development Authority’s CLT Partnership Program, TRUST South LA successfully acquired a duplex in the Adams Normandie neighborhood, home to long-time South LA residents and located just blocks from University Park and USC. The property owner, a motivated seller, was committed to supporting TRUST’s mission of promoting community ownership and helping transition the property to tenant ownership. He engaged with TRUST’s staff for over four years, patiently waiting for the right opportunity to sell his property in a way that would benefit his tenants. In December 2021, he sold the duplex to TRUST South LA for less than half its speculative market value, ensuring his tenants had a viable path to becoming homeowners.
“As a landlord, you realize you have a lot of power and that’s [what] bothered me: this idea of power over someone… To me, that dehumanizes both the tenant and the landlord. Human life and human community should not be organized in such a fashion. So at some point, I had to ask myself, ‘Do I want to continue to live my life as that kind of person?”
– Joe Bautista, Former Landlord who sold his property to TRUST South LA
Reclamar la Tierra
Multifamily, 4 units
Financing: Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA) Community Land Trust Partnership Pilot Program, CDFI Loan
In May 2022, TRUST South LA achieved a significant milestone by acquiring its second property through the LA County Development Authority’s Community Land Trust Partnership Program. This building, home to long-standing residents, is located in the historic Pico-Union neighborhood, just a few blocks from downtown’s L.A. Live and north of USC. This acquisition is a major victory for neighborhood stabilization, as the area faces pressures from gentrification. Securing this site for permanent affordability safeguards its residents against displacement.
5900 Figueroa
6 units multi-family, new construction
Development Partners: Little Tokyo Service Center
Financing: 3Cs Initiative
The Connecting Capital and Community (3C) initiative, facilitated by the Center for Community Investment, is funding innovative collectives in cities across the U.S. to tackle our housing crisis and generations of disinvestment in communities of color. The Los Angeles 3C table, led by Genesis LA, includes partners, T.R.U.S.T. South LA, Little Tokyo Service Center, Coalition for Responsible Community Development, Community Coalition, and architects at Off Top Design.
Through this initiative, we were able to remove one more parcel of land from the speculative housing market from the Figueroa corridor. With our development partner, Little Tokyo Service Center, we are constructing 6 units into permanently affordable ownership as a Transit Oriented Development. This site is located within the $35 million Transformative Climate Communities investment boundary and just a block away from the Rail-to-Rail active transport corridor. This development is positioned to further advance our mission to stabilize this neighborhood amid great investment for a South LA that is climate resilient.
Membership and Leadership Development
Empowering South LA Through Leadership Development
At T.R.U.S.T. South LA, we are cultivating a movement where residents are not just participants but also leaders, advocates, and architects of a more equitable and vibrant South Los Angeles. Our Membership and Leadership Development initiatives empower residents with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to drive meaningful change, while also addressing the pressing needs of the broader community.
Leadership Development at Every Level
Our programs are designed to foster civic engagement, deepen understanding of systemic issues, and empower residents to take active roles in shaping South LA’s future.
Membership Meetings
Membership meetings provide a welcoming space for members to discuss priorities, address challenges, and collaborate on solutions. These gatherings allow members to influence the organization’s direction and ensure their voices remain central to our work. Members in good standing are eligible to take on leadership roles, including running for and participating in elections for the Board of Directors.
Board of Directors
Our board operates under a unique tripartite structure to ensure community representation and accountability:
- Four leaseholder representatives living in T.R.U.S.T. South LA Community Land Trust (CLT) properties
- Four general members earning below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI)
- Four public representatives from allied organizations, appointed by the board and confirmed by a two-thirds membership vote at the annual meeting
- Three additional appointees selected by the board
This structure embodies the Community Land Trust model’s commitment to strong community governance and shared power.
Leadership Development Opportunities
Through in-house training sessions and partnerships with value-aligned organizations, our members participate in transformative programs that immerse them in the history of South LA’s justice movements. These programs provide hands-on training in advocacy, campaign development, and civic engagement, equipping participants to become effective leaders in their communities.
Civic Empowerment
We empower residents to engage in civic processes, advocate for policy changes, and lead campaigns that amplify South LA voices. By equipping members to take meaningful action, we ensure that South LA residents are leading transformative change in their communities.
Addressing Immediate Needs While Fostering Engagement
In addition to leadership development, T.R.U.S.T. South LA supports residents by connecting them with external resources to address housing, mobility, and food insecurity.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we expanded our efforts to meet urgent community needs:
- Provided food assistance to over 5,000 families over three years.
- Managed the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), securing $6.4 million in rental arrears for 800 South LA families and 200 others across California.
These efforts not only stabilized families during a crisis but also inspired many residents to transition from receiving support to becoming active community leaders. Several have joined the Board of Directors or committees, further strengthening the organization’s reach and impact.
Transforming South LA Through Collective Action
At T.R.U.S.T. South LA, we believe that lasting change begins with community leadership. By combining leadership development with direct support, we address systemic barriers while creating opportunities for stability, growth, and resilience across South LA.
Together, we are building a united South LA where justice, equity, and opportunity thrive.
Environmental & mobility Justice
South LA Eco-Lab
The South LA Eco-Lab is a $35 million initiative funded by the California Strategic Growth Council (SGC) through its Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) Program. This project aims to implement transformative climate initiatives, including the planting of 6,000 shade and fruit trees, the installation of solar roofs and EV charging stations, and the expansion of car-sharing and the LADOT e-bike library.
In addition, the Eco-Lab will create workforce development opportunities for South LA residents and provide free Metro passes to over 10,000 eligible individuals. A Displacement Avoidance Plan is also in place, offering free tenants’ rights workshops and additional resources.
T.R.U.S.T. South LA is leading the community engagement efforts alongside Strategic Concepts in Organizing and Policy Education (SCOPE) and CicLAvia, working to educate South LA residents about the climate-resilient resources available to their community.
BlueLA – Electric Car Share Program
BlueLA is a partnership launched in 2018 between the Mayor’s Office, the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT), the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), and the California Air Resources Board (CARB). The program provides affordable, clean transportation options through a network of 100 electric vehicles available for short-term rentals at 40 designated on-street stations throughout Los Angeles. Rental rates start at just $5 per hour for income-qualified users, ensuring accessibility for many residents.
With significant funding from CARB’s California Climate Investments and LADWP, and operated by Blink Mobility, BlueLA aims to expand to 300 vehicles and 100 stations by 2024. As it enters Phase II, the program will enhance access in South LA, Boyle Heights, and East Hollywood by actively seeking feedback from local residents and small business owners.
T.R.U.S.T. South LA is a key player in community engagement, ensuring residents are informed about the program and its benefits while gathering input to address the needs of disadvantaged communities. The Steering Committee, comprising six community-based organizations—including KIWA, SALEF, PMJ, Thai CDC, and Ciclavia—leverages their local roots and expertise to raise awareness and promote mobility justice, facilitating access to affordable, greener transportation for underserved populations.
South Central Power Up – E-Bike Lending Library
The South Central Power Up – E-Bike Lending Library program is a pilot initiative designed to enhance mobility for the South Central community by offering up to 250 e-bikes, including commuter, cargo, and adaptive models. T.R.U.S.T. South LA plays a vital role as a community partner and hub location, facilitating access to these environmentally friendly, motor-powered bikes. This program not only provides a cleaner alternative to gas-powered vehicles, helping to reduce harmful emissions, but also offers residents an affordable and accessible means of transportation. With benefits including lower costs compared to cars and the opportunity for all riders to experience e-biking, this initiative aims to promote sustainable commuting and local exploration.
Housing Advocacy
LA County CLT Pilot Program
In 2022, T.R.U.S.T. South LA along with members of the LA Community Land Trust (LACLT) coalition finalized the first round of the LA County CLT Pilot Program, which was passed in 2020.
The program allocated $14 million for the purchase of unsubsidized properties for affordable housing. Preliminary findings suggest the program offers a cost-effective, missing strategy that, if scaled, could intervene and combat displacement in low-income communities of color and mitigate the risk of vulnerable populations falling into homelessness.
Together, the LACLT coalition acquired 8 buildings, establishing permanent affordability of 43 homes and preventing the displacement of 110 community members. And we partnered with Liberty Hill Foundation, The California Endowment, and LeSar Development Consultants to evaluate the program. The report can be found here.
Los Angeles County Affordable Housing Solutions Agency (LACAHSA)
SB 679 was signed into law in 2022, it would establish a new regional government entity called the Los Angeles County Affordable Housing Solutions Agency (LACAHSA). The agency will focus on allocating more funding for non-traditional solutions for housing production, housing preservation, and renters/tenant protections.
It is made up of a 21-member Board of Directors, with representatives from LA County, LA City, San Gabriel Valley, Southeast LA, South Bay, North County and San Fernando Valley, Small Cities, 3 experts in production, preservation, and protections, and a citizen’s oversight chair.
The LA Community Land Trust (LACLT) coalition is happy to have Jonathan Jager, Staff Attorney at Public Counsel, serve as the production expert on the LACAHSA Board.
T.R.U.S.T. South LA works closely with the LACAHSA Board Experts to provide support and coordinate the experts as they craft strategies to address housing production, preservation, and protections.
Measure ULA
In 2022, voters across LA City passed Measure ULA, a citizen initiative. Measure ULA is a one-time tax on the sale of properties above $5 million to fund affordable housing production, homelessness prevention, and social housing. Along with our United to House LA coalition allies, T.R.U.S.T. South LA is actively involved in implementing Measure ULA so that it addresses homelessness and housing insecurity and designs a path for social housing.
USC Development Agreement
In 2012, the UNIDAD (United Neighbors in Defense Against Displacement) Coalition worked closely with the City of Los Angeles as the City negotiated a Community Benefits Agreement for the South LA neighborhoods adjacent to University of Southern California (USC).
After years of the coaltion’s community organizing efforts, these were among the resulting benefits — job training, local hire, and a $15-20M affordable housing fund.
The first $10M of the housing benefits were paid by USC to the City in 2013, with an additional $5M paid in 2023, and, if USC is not providing on-campus housing to 70% of their undergraduate students, an additional $5M will be paid by the University in 2033.
T.R.U.S.T. South LA, along with key allies from the UNIDAD coalition, have engaged in a lengthy process to advocate for South Central families– advocating so that the city deploys much needed funds for the preservation of affordable housing along the USC Nexus Area. An area that has seen an increase in costs of housing and displacement of long-term South LA residents.
Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA)
Since 2021, the LACLT Coalition has been advocating for the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to adopt the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA) which would create new rights for tenants that would give them the first opportunity to buy the building they live in if and when the building owner decides to sell.
On May 22, 2023, the LA County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs released their report on recommendations for an LA County TOPA policy.
The LACLT Coaliiton continues to educate residents in LA County, especially unincorporated areas of Los Angeles, around the importance of TOPA and the positive impacts it can have on combating gentrification and displacement and stabilizing families.