header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
March 28
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir


Over the last 35 years, the Community Development Commission of the county of Los Angeles has dedicated itself to advancing its core program areas: affordable housing and housing, community and economic development.

In 1982, the county Board of Supervisors merged three entities – the Housing Authority of the County of Los Angeles, the Community Development Department, and the Redevelopment Agency – to form the CDC. Today, the CDC is comprised of two separate legal entities, HACoLA and the CDC.

For more than three decades, the two agencies have worked together to ensure families secure stable and affordable housing, increase employment opportunities, and provide access to safe, public spaces in the community.

The CDC prides itself on adapting to the evolving needs of the County and positioning itself to address myriad challenges. For example, in 1988, HACoLA recognized that its responsibility extended beyond putting a roof over tenants’ heads and implemented a support structure to offer onsite services designed to help public housing residents gain the confidence and skills to become self-sufficient.

Today, the Resident Services Program is flourishing with partner agencies offering daily services to public housing residents. Similar wraparound services are also offered in CDC-funded affordable housing developments and are a main component of HACoLA’s current homeless programs.

Further, in 1994, when a 6.7 magnitude earthquake hit Northridge, the CDC and HACoLA mobilized to administer millions in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development funding to house displaced residents, assist business owners in keeping their operations going, and rebuild damaged infrastructure.

Community Development CommissionWhile disasters cannot be predicted, the CDC and HACoLA’s willingness to step up and lend a hand is unwavering, even if the disaster is thousands of miles away. When Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, HACoLA responded to the needs of displaced families by issuing Katrina Disaster Housing Assistance Vouchers to place relocated persons into homes within Los Angeles County.

The CDC is proud to be on the ground every day transforming neighborhoods to improve the livability for all County residents. Within the past 10 years, the CDC has overseen the construction or rehabilitation of 13 community centers, 10 public libraries, four county parks, and three childcare centers.

Investing in safe, public spaces has been a longstanding priority for the CDC. For example, in 2008 the CDC helped fund the development of the La Alameda Shopping Center in Walnut Park, which removed an industrial eyesore and replaced it with an attractive commercial center that brought 500 jobs to the community. Nearly 10 years later, the complex still serves as a community landmark.

The CDC has remained a trusted resource for the Board, often called upon to administer programs and funding, and oversee projects from inception to completion. In 1997, the Board approved the CDC to oversee the County’s Traffic Violator School Monitoring Program. This untraditional relationship has flourished under the CDC, providing technical assistance, customer service, and monitoring services to the Los Angeles Superior Court.

Further, in 2008, the United States found itself in the midst of a housing crisis and the number of foreclosures across the nation were skyrocketing – and Los Angeles was no exception. The Board tasked the CDC with implementing a Homeless Prevention and Rapid Rehousing Program, which helped nearly 4,000 county residents remain in stable housing.

Most recently, the Board has called upon the CDC and HACoLA to be a key player in the County’s homeless initiative. The CDC and HACoLA are leaders or contributing agencies in 27 of the 51 strategies, and have developed award-winning approaches to housing homeless families, veterans, and individuals. In fact, since creating its homeless incentive programs in early 2016, more than 850 people have been housed.

“The agency’s spirit of partnership and ingenuity has paved the road for the successes it’s achieved over the last 35 years,” CDC Acting Executive Director Monique King-Viehland said. “As an agency we constantly assess the needs of the County and position ourselves to address those needs.”

As the agency commemorates its 35th year, it acknowledges the struggles it has had to overcome throughout the years, from drastic budget cuts and political changes in Washington D.C. to funding and programmatic changes in California.

However, these obstacles pale in comparison to the dedication and perseverance of the agency and its employees. The CDC and HACoLA have proven that the two entities are stronger together, and look forward to continuing to work in unison to fulfill the agency’s mission to “Build Better Lives and Better Neighborhoods.”

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

0 Comments

You can be the first one to leave a comment.

Leave a Comment


LOS ANGELES COUNTY HEADLINES
Wednesday, Mar 27, 2024
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters:
Tuesday, Mar 26, 2024
Los Angeles County Inspector General Max Huntsman of the Office of Inspector General has issued a report entitled "Tenth Report Back on Implementing Body-Worn Cameras in Los Angeles County."
Tuesday, Mar 26, 2024
The Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control is hosting March Meowness promotion where all cat adoptions are just $15 from now until April 9.
Friday, Mar 22, 2024
The Music Center announced that 114 of Southern California’s most talented high school students, including three from the Santa Clarita Valley, have advanced to become semifinalists in The Music Center’s 36th Annual Spotlight program, a free, nationally acclaimed performing arts competition, scholarship and artistic development program for teens.
Friday, Mar 22, 2024
California State Parks Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division and its partners are encouraging off-highway vehicle enthusiasts to “Share the Trails,” the theme for the upcoming Spring OHV Safety Week, taking place March 23-31.

Keep Up With Our Facebook
Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir
The California Department of Public Health launched the “Never a Bother” campaign, a youth suicide prevention public awareness and outreach campaign for youth, young adults, and their parents, caregivers, and allies.
California Launches New Youth Suicide Prevention Campaign
The Santa Clarita Master Chorale invites the community to "Let the Sunshine In," a delightful evening of food, wine and song at the annual Cabaret & Cabernet fundraising benefit.
April 20: Santa Clarita Master Chorale’s Cabaret, Cabernet Fundraiser
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters:
March 27 Ocean Water Warning
As an integral ingredient necessary to help the Santa Clarita Valley to flourish, feedback from the business community is the secret sauce for achieving great things.
SCVEDEC Asks For the Business Community’s Opinion on Santa Clarita
Raise your heart rate while raising funds for the Santa Clarita Sister Cities Dollars-for-Desks campaign to provide school desks for students in Sariaya, Santa Clarita's Sister City in the Philippines.
April 13: Sister Cities Zumba-thon Fundraiser
Remo, Inc. is is the world's leading manufacturer and developer of synthetic drumheads and shells. They’ve been in business for 60 years
SCVEDC Company Spotlight: Drumming Up Big Business with Remo, Inc.
California State Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) and Assemblyman James Ramos (D-Highland) have introduced AB 3074 the "School or athletic team names: California Racial Mascots Act."
Schiavo Introduces Bill to Prohibit ‘Derogatory’ School Mascot Names
Los Angeles County’s Justice, Care and Opportunities Department  in collaboration with Local Initiatives Support Corporation Los Angeles is proud to announce the 2nd Annual Pitch Competition for the cohorts of JCOD's Incubation Academy.
March 28: JCOD Incubation Academy Helps Grassroots Non-Profits For the Second Year
Children’s Bureau is seeking foster families and now offers two virtual ways for individuals and/or couples to learn how to help children in foster care while reunifying with birth families or how to provide legal permanency by adoption.
April 18: Children’s Bureau Hosts Virtual Orientation
The Sunburst track was constructed in 1887 by the Southern Pacific Railroad and was a part of the main line running between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Enjoy Spring With a Ride On The Sunburst Track
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond hosted a Personal Finance Summit today where he announced his support for Assembly Bill 2927 (McCarty), legislation that would require a personal finance education course for California high school graduation.
State Superintendent Announces Support for Personal Finance Graduation Requirement
1847 - Probable birth date of Pico Canyon oil driller Charles Alexander Mentry [story]
C.A. Mentry
The first Music Jam Session at The MAIN was held on Thursday, Feb. 22 and was a hit. Come out and join in for the next one on Thursday, March 28 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
March 28: The MAIN to Host Musicians’ Jam Session
Los Angeles County Inspector General Max Huntsman of the Office of Inspector General has issued a report entitled "Tenth Report Back on Implementing Body-Worn Cameras in Los Angeles County."
Office of Inspector General Issues Latest Report on LASD Body Cams
College of the Canyons women's tennis played to a convincing 7-2 conference win over Ventura College on Moica to strengthen its potential playoff resume.
Canyons Closes Out Ventura 7-2 in Final Home Match
Join the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce with the Latino Business Alliance at the Cinco de Mayo Networking Celebration on Tuesday, May 7.
May 7: Latino Business Alliance Cinco de Mayo Celebration
The Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control is hosting March Meowness promotion where all cat adoptions are just $15 from now until April 9.
Adopt a Cat During March Meowness at Castaic Animal Center
California State University, Northridge is partnering with the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians and the Tataviam Land Conservancy to battle the impact of climate change in disadvantaged communities throughout the San Fernando Valley by establishing “urban forests.”
CSUN Partners with Fernandeño Tataviam Band to Build Urban Forests
Join the Santa Clarita Artists Association on Monday, April 15, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Barnes and Noble, 23630 Valencia Blvd., Valencia, CA 91355, for the SCAA monthly meeting and guest demonstrator.
April 15: SCAA Presents Debbie Abshear Watercolor Demo
Residents are invited to join members of the Santa Clarita City Council for a special ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the addition of Santa Clarita's 38th park, Skyline Ranch Park, 18355 Skyline Ranch Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91351, to the Santa Clarita parks system on Saturday, April 6, at 10 a.m.
April 6: Grand Opening for Santa Clarita’s 38th Park
The Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center is preparing for the annual fundraising event, Celebrity Waiter, with the theme “California Dreamin’” on Saturday, April 27 at Bella Vida, 27180 Golden Valley Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91351.
Table Sponsorships Still Available for Celebrity Waiter Dinner
Springtime in Santa Clarita brings not only vibrant blooms and opportunities to embrace the outdoors with warmer weather, but also an array of free, family-friendly events and this Saturday is no exception.
Ken Striplin | A Fun, Festive, Egg-Filled Day
SCVNews.com