Liberty Hill

Still MORE On The New Homeless Numbers

The L.A. Times came out with its analysis of the homeless drop today. They quote Joel Roberts whose remarks we posted when the report was first released. The upshot appears to be whether we have 72,000 or 48,000 people living on the streets each night, it's far far too much.

An Update from the HUD Meeting on Public Housing Earlier This Week

POWER send an update on its meeting with HUD deputy Bessy Kong:
 
Good News & Bad News:  Kong committed to "strongly recommend" that Secretary Donovan meet with POWER and other members of National People's Action on November 16 when POWER members are in Washington, DC for our leadership conference. Disappointing, however, that she said doesn't have any power to commit to POWER's request for a moratorium on demolition of public housing units. POWER is a Liberty Hill grantee partner.

Missed the earlier post about POWER's meeting with HUD?

More on What the New Homeless Numbers Mean Or Don't Mean.

Bill Pitkin, who blogs at povertyblog.net, has more to say about yesterday's homeless numbers. Bill is a Sr. Program Officer at the Conrad Hilton Foundation and used to be United Way's numbers cruncher.

Here's an excerpt: When the 2007 numbers came out lower than 2005, a common justification was that the count became more precise as the methodology improved, implying that the earlier count wasn’t as accurate. Having been briefed on this year’s methodology, I agree that the 2009 count is the most reliable we’ve had yet. But, it still begs the question of whether we’re really seeing declines. As one news article characterizes it, “whether the drop was real or the by-product of fuzzy math in previous years, is hard to say.”

Read the whole post.

Economic Growth vs. Economic Equity? That's the Wrong Question.

In the American Prospect, Peter Dreier, Distinguished Professor of Politics at Occidental College, examines new approaches to urban development and how more and more city governments, prodded by local activists, have been using their gatekeeper powers to successfully promote growth with equity.   Led by Liberty Hill partner, Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy (LAANE), Los Angeles is pioneering this national movement calling for greater community participation, transparent standards, a clearer understanding of how businesses make investment and location choices, and public benefits proportional to public subsidies for developers. Read the entire article.

Filed by Liberty Hill's new blogger, Julianna Arnold.

Bus Riders Union, Long The Voice of Low-Income Mass Transit Riders, Raise Concerns

Members of the Bus Riders Union said the 30-year transportation plan approved by The County yesterday "declared war" on the county's 500,000 bus riders. They expect it will involve a series of fare increases, potentially raising monthly single-zone Metro passes from $62 to $88 by 2015. Daily passes could rise from $5 to $7.

Read a story about the transportation plan.

Powered By Liberty Hill - Advancing Change in the Environment

Liberty Hill just announced its Fund for Change Environmental Justice Awards.

Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now-Los Angeles $25,000.00
Greater Long Beach Interfaith Community Organization $20,000.00
Heal the Bay $20,000.00
People's Community Organization for Reform and Empowerment $22,000.00
Strategic Concepts in Organizing and Policy Education $35,000.00
The City Project $20,000.00

Environmental Justice Advocates Have The Ear of US EPA's Lisa Jackson

Michele Prichard who leads Liberty Hill's Common Agenda work just returned from a visit with U.S. EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson. Here's her report:

 

In what many Southern California environmental justice activists hailed as an unprecedented event, on Thursday, October 1^st, U.S. EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson  met with nearly 30 community leaders from around the region in a listening tour to better understand the impacts of pollution in low-income communities of color. 

 

With brief opening remarks that highlighted the “legacy of industrialization and neglect” faced by so many neighborhoods, Administrator Jackson also noted the “informed and demanding citizenry” for which the Southern California region is well known.  She pledged to use the bully pulpit of her current post to hear from communities working for clean air, water and communities free of toxic assault. 

Taxi Drivers Fight Corruption With Another City Hall Win

Amid allegations of a backroom deal, this week the Los Angeles City Council ended a $250,000 contract with a consulting firm hired to help develop a system for regulating taxicabs. L.A. Taxi Workers Alliance, a group of taxi drivers seed funded by Liberty Hill, strongly objected to the contract because it was not subject to public comment. The taxi drivers also blame the contractor for the deplorable state of L.A.'s taxis. The drivers calls them "sweatshops on wheels." Read Daily News coverage.

ACORN in Perspective

Liberty Hill funds ACORN's work in L.A. The ACORN L.A. office was visited by the two individuals posing as a pimp and prostitute this past July and were shown the door. We are in touch with local ACORN staff to discuss their quality control practices.

It is unfortunate the hoopla stirred up by these tapes is causing many to overlook the outstanding work ACORN has done nationally and locally. Political journalist Joe Conason weighed in this morning with a thoughtful piece on Salon.

ACORN's recent accomplishments include helping nearly 50,000 homeowners access foreclosure prevention services, playing a vital role in raising the minimum wage in six states, and leading the fight against predatory lending.

For the range of current blog-bloviating on the story, see this New York Times round up.

Go to the next page for California ACORN's September 21 response to the news.

5,000 Airport Workers To See Wage Increase

The Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously yesterday to require contractors at LAX, Ontario International Airport and Van Nuys Airport that they provide a living wage beginning Jan. 1 to 5,000 workers. Liberty Hill partner L.A. Alliance for a New Economy was instrumental to the win. Read The Business Journal story.