Hello, I am honored to share with you the Los Angeles County Development Authority’s (LACDA) Fiscal Year (FY) 2021-22 Year End Highlights (YEH).
Last FY, the LACDA continued to respond to the evolving challenges presented by the lingering pandemic. In particular, we administered business grants and loans to help keep small businesses operational, launched new programs like the Emergency Housing Voucher Program, continued to enhance our online presence to ensure effective information delivery, and implemented precautionary measures to ensure our lobbies could safely reopen with in-person services while ensuring our own employees were protected.
It is clear that the challenges brought on by the pandemic tested our flexibility while enhancing our ingenuity. In reviewing the information presented in this YEH, you will see how despite many competing priorities and expedited timelines to disperse funding and resources, staff delivered with conviction and professionalism.
As we look back at FY 2021-22, I cannot help but be excited for the upcoming year. The agency will celebrate its 40th Anniversary, a milestone that will enable us to reflect on the evolution of services and programming that have contributed to the vitality of Los Angeles County.
With the talent and vision of the leadership team, and support from agency staff, we will continue to leverage the experiences and lessons we learned throughout the pandemic to think outside the box as new initiatives present themselves, assess our collective needs, and develop protocols to support our clients and one another.
Thank you for supporting our mission to Build Better Lives and Better Neighborhoods, and please enjoy our 2021-22 YEH.
In April 2022, the LACDA successfully sold $31.1 million of LACDA General Revenue Bonds, Series 2022 (Bonds) for the purpose of purchasing and improving its Alhambra Headquarters Building. These new Bonds will result in significant interest cost savings of approximately $5.1 million on a present value basis. The Bonds also included $3.7 million in new money for capital investments into the property including installation of solar panels, additional electric vehicle charging stations, and an upgraded HVAC system. The transaction closed on April 21, 2022, at which time the Alhambra Headquarters Building became a solely owned asset of the LACDA.
Following two years of working remotely, virtual meetings, and providing telephone assistance, it was exciting to be able to return to in-person events with partners and employees, as well as conduct community outreach during FY 2021-22.
We provide innovative programs that position the agency to end generational poverty and homelessness, encourage community development, and empower Los Angeles County residents and businesses to reach their full potential.
In 1982, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors consolidated three entities – the Housing Authority, the Community Development Department, and the Redevelopment Agency – to form the Community Development Commission (CDC).
On May 16, 2019, the agency was officially rebranded as the LACDA. The LACDA is part of the County family, but an independent agency and not a County Department.
The Board of Supervisors currently serves as the Commissioners of the LACDA – setting policy for the agency. The Board of Commissioners receives input from the agency's Housing Advisory Committee, which meets monthly at various locations throughout the County. The Committee reviews and makes recommendations on matters that are presented to the Board of Commissioners for approval, including Section 8 and Public Housing policies and procedures.
The LACDA administers a flexible at-will personnel structure, utilizing a combination of regular and contract positions to meet service demands and respond to new funding opportunities and challenges. For FY 2021-22, the LACDA budget included 602.20 full-time equivalent positions, an increase of 14.35 full-time equivalent positions from the FY 2020-21 final budget. Most of the new positions assisted with the increased lease-up activities related to Housing Assistance programs.
The LACDA's Fiscal Year begins July 1 and ends June 30.
The majority of funds received are from the Federal government, primarily from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through entitlements, allocations, and grants.
The total FY 2021-22 budget was over $869 million, an increase of $83.6 million from the FY 2020-21 budget. The increase is due in part to the additional revenue received from the Federal and State COVID-19 Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds as authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The LACDA will continue its effort in providing business assistance and support families as they face unemployment, food insecurity, and housing instability. Additionally, these funds also boost the LACDA’s commitment to funding high priority programs for services to persons who are homeless, or at the risk of becoming homeless, in the County.
The LACDA’s budget is predominantly Federally-funded for Housing and Community Development programs, 66% of which is provided by HUD. Local revenue sources include Public Housing dwelling rental and County General funds. Other sources of funds come from the Federal Aviation Administration and the Los Angeles World Airport.
| MAJOR SOURCES OF FUNDING | AMOUNT |
|---|---|
| Housing Assistance Programs | $420 MILLION |
| County Funds | $157.5 MILLION |
| State Funds | $125.6 MILLION |
| Public and Affordable Housing | $35.2 MILLION |
| Community Development Block Grant | $45.5 MILLION |
The LACDA is proud to have achieved recognition by public and private entities at the local, State, and Federal levels. The agency strives to be a change maker and leader in the delivery of services, programs, and affordable housing management and development.
| NAHRO AWARDS OF MERIT - JUL 2021 |
|---|
| Public Housing Improvements with No Relocation! |
| Guiding Residents on a Path to Success |
| GOVERNMENT FINANCE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA - AUG 2021 |
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| Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting |
| LOS ANGELES COUNTY PRODUCTIVITY AND QUALITY AWARDS - AUG 2021 |
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| Small Businesses Recovery Program |
| Keep LA County Dining |
| Rent Relief Program |
| Child Care Grant Program |
| NACCED AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE - SEP 2021 |
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| Studio 6 Motel Conversion: A Creative Approach to Permanent Housing |
| NACo ACHIEVEMENT AWARD - MAY 2022 |
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| Rent Relief Program: Ensuring Housing Stability During COVID-19 |
| Keep LA County Dining Grant Program |