L.A. County Public Works has launched an initiative to center equity in all of its processes, programming, and services as it plans, designs, builds, and maintains modern infrastructure that uplifts all communities of the county.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works has created the Equity in Infrastructure Initiative to identify and address disparities across the county in the planning, delivery, and distribution of its investments and services. Guided by policy review, investment analysis, and community engagement, Public Works is leading the charge to address the needs of communities with historical disadvantage, to better plan, deliver, and distribute services.
Working in close alignment with the equity-driven polices of the L.A. County Board of Supervisors, Public Works is leading the charge for infrastructure investments that benefit historically underserved communities and deliver jobs, new projects, and improved life outcomes to the region. Public Works’ focus on equity will drive infrastructure funding and improve services to communities with historical disadvantage, ensuring positive outcomes for all County residents and future generations. This Initiative will help Public Works decide more equitably what gets prioritized, built, and better maintained, boosting the benefits for those communities that have experienced underinvestment in the past.
Public Works wants to hear from residents about ways to improve important services, such as but not limited to: road repairs, flood control, water quality, bike lanes, and waste removal. Public input will be used to help inform recommendations to improve all LA County communities and contribute to the broader Countywide Anti-Racism, Diversity and Inclusion initiative (ARDI). All residents are invited to share their thoughts via an online survey to ensure a more just and equitable future for all of LA County.

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The decision is a victory for environmental groups who charged that freezing funds for critical infrastructure and disaster response programs caused “real and irreparable harm” to communities.
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