LOS ANGELES – (RealEstateRama) — Rep. Karen Bass (D-Calif.) made the following statement after this morning’s announcement by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that South Los Angeles won a federal Promise Zone designation in the third round of the competition. The announcement, held at Los Angeles Trade Technical College (LATTC), was made by HUD Deputy Secretary Nani Coloretti was attended by elected officials who represent the area, community partners working in South Los Angeles, and residents – including students from the Coalition for Responsible Community Development’s YouthBuild Charter Academy, one of SLATE-Z’s partner schools.
“This isn’t just an incredible victory for South Los Angeles, it demonstrates the power of the community and dispels the notion that South LA doesn’t have leadership and organization. I am thrilled that this coalition, led by Los Angeles Trade Technical College President Larry Frank and his team, organized representatives at all levels of government to push for this important Promise Zone designation and I look forward to continuing to work in Washington with my South LA congressional partner Congresswoman Roybal-Allard.
“I also want to personally thank Secretary Castro for his visit last year on this very campus at LA Trade Tech. He recognized the passion of this coalition and the willingness of community leaders to join the SLATE-Z initiative.“
The South Los Angeles Transit Empowerment Zone (SLATE-Z) includes portions of the neighborhoods of Vernon-Central, South Park, Florence, Exposition Park, Vermont Square, Leimert Park and a small portion of Baldwin Hills/Crenshaw. Approximately 94 percent of SLATE-Z’s residents are people of color.
The goal of the Promise Zone initiative, created by President Obama in 2013, is to significantly reduce poverty by creating a federal partnership with communities. South L.A. is now one of thirteen urban Promise Zones in the nation, and Los Angeles is the only city to have two designations within its city boundaries.
