How L.A. County is Ensuring Data-Informed, Equity-Driven Implementation of the American Rescue Plan

Los Angeles County has developed a series of tools to democratize data on communities most impacted by COVID-19 and the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act programs and services developed to serve them.

2 minute read

February 13, 2023, 11:00 AM PST

By Clement Lau


An aerial view of Los Angeles at dawn, with Westlake and MacArthur Park in the foreground and Downtown Los Angeles in the background.

trekandshoot / Shutterstock

Signed into law on March 2021, the American Rescue Plan (ARP) provides $350 billion in funding for state and local governments to build an equitable economic recovery from the devastating economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. Department of the Treasury specifically states that the goal of these State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund is to “promote and streamline the provision of assistance to individuals and communities in greatest need, particularly communities that have been historically disadvantaged and have experienced disproportionate impacts of the COVID-19 crisis.”

The ARP provides $1.9 billion in funding to Los Angeles County to build an equitable economic recovery from the devastating economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. To help the County comply with federal mandates and implement the Board of Supervisors’ vision for equitable implementation of the ARP, the County's Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion (ARDI) Initiative team, in partnership with internal and external stakeholders, has developed the following data tools:

  • Project Dashboard: The Project Dashboard reports the County’s ARP expenditures and outcomes by project and department. As projects launch, the Dashboard is updated with data on the amount allocated, use of ARP funds, projected outcomes, number of residents served, jobs created, grants provided, and outcomes achieved.
  • Projects Map: This tool displays the service areas and locations of ARP projects that have been approved to launch. Users can select projects to view their service areas or click the map to see what projects are serving that location.
  • Equity Explorer Mapping Tool: This mapping tool allows users to explore census tracts throughout Los Angeles County to identify areas of the highest need based on populations disproportionately affected by COVID-19 prior to embarking on project design by either using the map or a series of filters. 
  • COVID-19 Vulnerability and Recovery Index: This index helps to identify the communities most impacted by COVID-19 and those facing the greatest adverse outcomes related to COVID-19 case rates and myriad economic, health, and social factors. This index was mapped to help identify COVID-19 risk, severity, and recovery need, and provides data to reach those most impacted by the pandemic. 

For more information, please visit this site.

Friday, February 10, 2023 in County of Los Angeles

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Historic homes in St. Augustine, Florida.

Florida Considers Legalizing ADUs

Current state law allows — but doesn’t require — cities to permit accessory dwelling units in single-family residential neighborhoods.

March 18, 2025 - Newsweek

Bird's eye view of manufactured home park.

Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing

Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?

March 25, 2025 - Shelterforce

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

HUD Announces Plan to Build Housing on Public Lands

The agency will identify federally owned parcels appropriate for housing development and streamline the regulatory process to lease or transfer land to housing authorities and nonprofit developers.

March 17, 2025 - The Wall Street Journal

Brick buildings on small town street with red awnings on first floor businesses.

Research: Walkability Linked to Improved Public Health

A study reveals that the density of city blocks is a significant factor in communities’ walkability and, subsequently, improved public health outcomes for residents.

March 26 - Great Lakes Echo

Aerial view of neighborhood under construction with houses and vacant lots.

Report Outlines Strategies for Resilient Wildfire Recovery in LA

Project Recovery offers a roadmap for rebuilding more sustainable and climate-resilient communities after wildfires and other disasters.

March 26 - Urban Land Institute

Red rock landscape in Bears Ears National Monument, Utah.

New Executive Order Renews Attack on Public Lands

An order issued late last week pushes for increased mineral extraction on federally owned public lands.

March 26 - Rocky Mountain Community Radio