BACKGROUND This case study illustrates how TCC-funded affordable housing has enabled Watts residents to move…
A Vision for a Healthier Watts
A collaborative of Watts residents, 40+ organizations, the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles, Mayor Bass’ Office, and Council District 15 committed to improving the public, environmental, and economic health of Watts.
Watts Rising is a Collaborative of organizations and Watts residents working together to
Improve the Environment
Promote Economic Development
Avoid Displacement
Reduce Greenhouse Gases
Improve Public Health
Ground Decision-Making in Data
Lower Utility Bills
Disparities in health and economic opportunities have continued unchecked for decades, with limited investment in the community. That began to change in 2018.
The Watts Rising Collaborative, through the Housing Authority for the City of Los Angeles, was awarded a threeyear $33 million Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) grant from the state of California, $2.8 million from the CA Department of Housing and Community Development’s Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program (AHSC), a $35 million Choice Neighborhood Implementation Grant (CNI) from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in 2020, and most recently a $6.9 million RAISE grant (USDOT) and a $6 million COMPASS grant (NIH) to study the impact of our investments over the next ten years.
This infusion of funds will address environmental concerns through capital and infrastructure investment, including creating new housing, planting trees, developing several community gardens and parks, developing five miles of bikeway, improving walkability through new crosswalks, ADA ramps, and intersection improvements, and developing a 1.5-mile urban trail.
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over 3000 trees planted on Watts streets and within housing developments.
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homes in Watts have solar panels installed.
More than
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lbs
pounds of produce distributed to local residents and/or redirected from landfills to local composting efforts.
Get Involved!
Watts Rising offers a number of ways to get involved in creating a greener, healthier Watts, from free services and programs like solar panels and trees for your home, to joining a walking club or a school safety collaborative, and much more. To explore some of the programs eligible to Watts residents, please visit our Programs & Events page.
