The state-ordered demise of the Community Redevelopment Agency has been a huge blow to redevelopment and affordable housing efforts in Los Angeles. A new plan being put forth by city leaders hopes to help fill that void, reports Ryan Vaillancourt.
With the loss of its annual spending in the hundreds of millions of dollars and 192 employees, the shuttering of L.A.'s 67-year-old Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) has left the city with limited resources to help incentivize investment in distressed areas.
"Now," says Vaillancourt, "city officials are hoping that a new department, working with a new nonprofit corporation, could fill the void left by the demise of the CRA. They are moving to create the Economic Development Department [EDD] for the next fiscal year, which begins July 1. The City Council approved the concept last month, pending a more detailed plan for how to staff and fund the department."
New details provided in a report by the city's Chief Administrative Officer, Miguel Santana, outline how the city hopes to accomplish this. In addition to the EDD (which is largely a bureaucratic reshuffling), the city would establish a non-profit economic development corporation.
"A key role of the nonprofit would be maximizing the value of city real estate, said Santana, who envisions the nonprofit negotiating deals with developers to invest in city assets. Much like the CRA stipulated community benefit packages when assigning development rights, the nonprofit would leverage private investment dollars to improve public resources, he said."
"Like the CRA, the nonprofit would prioritize investment in low-income neighborhoods, though it remains unclear how the city would regulate or enforce an emphasis on affordable housing," adds Vaillancourt.
FULL STORY: City Tries to Fill Void Left by Demise of CRA

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

California Invests Additional $5M in Electric School Buses
The state wants to electrify all of its school bus fleets by 2035.

Austin Launches $2M Homelessness Prevention Fund
A new grant program from the city’s Homeless Strategy Office will fund rental assistance and supportive services.

Alabama School Forestry Initiative Brings Trees to Schoolyards
Trees can improve physical and mental health for students and commnity members.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Ada County Highway District
Clanton & Associates, Inc.
Jessamine County Fiscal Court
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service