About Us
HISTORY
The LA ROSAH Collaborative came together in 2016, stemming from an initial conversation between a handful of organizations about the LA River, gentrification, and displacement. The small group continued to meet regularly to discuss anti-displacement strategies and other cross-sectoral solutions that could positively impact the LA region. At each meeting, new organizations joined and contributed to the anti-displacement conversation. Over the course of a few months, LA ROSAH emerged as a collective of organizations of different sizes in different sectors, all with a shared commitment to advancing equity, exploring joint development of affordable housing and parks, and preventing displacement in the LA region within the context of green infrastructure, park and open space investment.
VISION
LA ROSAH envisions a thriving Los Angeles in which everyone has equitable access to activated parks, high-quality open space, and healthy affordable homes. Low-income communities and communities of color benefit from urban greening investments without being displaced by them, and marginalized residents play an active role in shaping and staying in their neighborhoods.
MISSION
LA ROSAH’s mission is to advance policies and strategies that prevent displacement in vulnerable communities related to urban greening investments and to create models for accessible, community-driven parks/open space and affordable housing joint development, including housing production and preservation.
VALUES
Equitable investment without displacement. We believe that low-income communities of color deserve access to parks, open space, and affordable housing in economically thriving, safe, and healthy neighborhoods. Such investments should meaningfully involve communities of color from design to stewardship/ownership; and improve the well-being of communities and should not displace existing community members.
Social justice and racial equity. We recognize that low-income communities, communities of color, and other marginalized communities disproportionately experienced negative impacts from a history of public disinvestment, lack of private development, and racist/classist land use decisions and policies that have resulted in underserved, economically-depressed neighborhoods. We believe that advancing equitable investment without displacement must include reallocating and prioritizing new resources for these communities and ensuring investments support the needs of our marginalized communities.
Multi-sector collaboration. We commit to bridging silos and bringing together diverse organizations to engage in interdisciplinary work that enables us to leverage resources, advance shared priorities, and enhance our capabilities to create lasting change.
Inclusivity and accountability. We believe that internal power dynamics must be addressed with transparency, honesty, and a willingness to hold ourselves accountable; and center the perspectives of people of color and other marginalized identities in the Collaborative’s decision-making process.
Community engagement. We commit to making space for low-income communities, communities of color, and other marginalized communities to engage in the development of the Collaborative’s work and decision-making process to determine LA ROSAH’s priorities.
Research and sharing. We believe that we must learn from and leverage existing research and data, as well as conduct our own research to inform our actions and recommendations. We commit to sharing our findings amongst partners, allies, and the public to grow the field.
Focus on outcomes. We believe that the time and resources of our members and the Collaborative should be invested strategically to effectively shape and implement LA ROSAH’s strategic plan and to advance our mission.
