First let’s take a quick look back at 2018. We went big on the Expo Transit Neighborhood Plan. As a result of our education and advocacy work the plan was significantly improved, and in the coming years thousands of affordable and market rate homes for Angelenos will be built along the transit corridor. We also supported dozens of individual projects, which collectively will create 10,815 housing units, of which 1,021 are reserved and affordable for low-income families. We also stepped up our support for permanent supportive housing for the homeless, including the Rose Ave project in Venice and at the West LA VA campus. Finally, and in the biggest game changer for our future, we won the LA 2050 grant challenge in partnership with the United Way and the Inner City Law Center. Alongside a grant from CA YIMBY, that means we’re now in a position to fulfill some of our resolutions for next year.
Everything we’ve accomplished so far has been done by volunteers. The dedicated people who put in nights and weekends (and sometimes weekdays too – don’t tell our bosses) to fight for an LA where everyone can afford a place to live. In honor of our noble work, we call ourselves… The Dingbats.
I can’t believe what we Dingbats have done together. Now it’s time to go even bigger. We incorporated as a 501c3. And we’re hiring a full time Managing Director to lead the organization. I personally couldn’t be more excited to see AHLA get even bigger and better, but I’ve gotta admit I’m also a little nervous. There has been a heck of a lot of Dingbat blood, sweat, and tears put in to make AHLA what it is today, so we want to make sure we honor that going forward and pick someone amazing! So if you know someone incredible who you think might be interested in the gig (or if you are yourself), please share the job application or apply.
Having a full time Managing Director on board will help us fulfill our second resolution to bring more people onboard to volunteer as Dingbats. First, we’ll be creating new volunteer positions to write blogs and stories about the housing crisis and how to solve it, as well as creating infographics, videos, and other forms of media to educate decision makers and the public. We’ll be increasing our social media presence (housing gram, anyone?). We’ll help more people get involved in their local community by volunteering for a Neighborhood Council or speaking out at public meetings. And we’ll be recruiting new Dingbats to take the lead in new cities within LA County.
Our final resolution is the broadest. People who don’t have the time to volunteer can make a huge difference as well by becoming a supporting member and donating. Even if it’s only a few dollars, it goes a long way for a couple of reasons. First, a large, committed membership base is the most reliable kind of funding for a nonprofit. Second, that’s a huge selling point in convincing philanthropic types that we’re a worthy organization for bigger donations too.
Everyone who volunteers or donates to Abundant Housing each year will be a supporting member. All members will receive access to our forum. We’ve been trialing the forum within the Dingbats for the last couple of months, and it’s become the place where we do all of communication and coordination. We can’t wait to open it up more broadly so that everyone who cares about Abundant Housing can see what’s happening and join the conversation. When we outgrew our google group in 2016 we lost the ability for everyone in Abundant Housing to communicate with each other, and we’re so excited for this new platform to bring that radical openness back as we grow even bigger. Members will also get some cool schwag. Dingbat pins and these beautiful shirts are coming for sure, let us know if you have other fun ideas too!
With a full time Managing Director at the helm, more volunteers in the fight, and a dedicated group of supporting members we can transform Los Angeles. No one should live in fear of displacement or homelessness. LA can and should be a beacon, an affordable home to everyone who chooses to make a better life in our great city. The dream is housing for all. Let’s make it happen.
