In the early 2010s, Los Angeles communities were experiencing rapid and catastrophic gentrification near transit stations. After a series of community assemblies that were organized specifically to address the displacement of low-income families from transit-rich neighborhoods across Los Angeles, ACT-LA (then called the Alliance for Community Transit - Los Angeles) was born. In 2015, that coalition drove the passage of the ballot measure that led to the Transit Oriented Communities program, LA's most effective affordable housing program since its adoption.
Since then, we haven't let up. By keeping community at the forefront, we've changed how Metro delivers safety, how the City of LA prevents resident displacement, and even begun to build the pathway to decomodify housing.
Dozens of organizations from neighborhoods across Los Angeles have come together to build off local victories and have greater impact in the city and county. Our coalition unites grassroots groups deeply rooted in their communities with “grasstops” organizations under a common agenda to bring to policy makers throughout the city, county and state.
We unite community organizers and resident leaders from across the city to win campaigns for quality jobs, affordable housing and transit equity, and provide organizing support and coordination to grassroots organizations so that our coalition’s campaigns can be led by organizing staff and resident leaders from various organizations.
Our coalition draws upon our members’ collective expertise and partnerships with public agencies and academic institutions to develop policies that address our core issues including land use, housing, jobs, transit, and environmental sustainability. Through strategic advocacy we impact local and state policy, influence planning processes throughout Los Angeles county, and elevate research on our issues to inform public opinion.