LA County Public Works Launches Equity in Infrastructure Initiative to Drive Funding, Improve Outcomes in Underserved Communities

LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles County Public Works is announcing the Equity in Infrastructure Initiative to center equity in all of its processes, programming, and services as it plans, designs, builds, and maintains modern infrastructure that uplifts all communities of Los Angeles County.

Working in close alignment with the equity-driven polices of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, LA County Public Works is leading the charge for infrastructure investments that benefit historically underserved communities and bring jobs, new projects, and improved life outcomes to the region. The new LA County Public Works initiative is guided by extensive policy review, investment analysis, and community engagement with a focus on addressing historical disparities in infrastructure investments and services for communities who have not had a voice.

“LA County Public Works strives to create vibrant communities that are safe, clean and resilient and where people are thriving and living healthy lives,” said Los Angeles County Public Works Director Mark Pestrella, P.E. “We have a responsibility to address injustices and measure our solutions against the greatest level of need. Public Works is proud to be leading the charge on this historic initiative.”

In August 2021, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors adopted a motion directing Public Works to accelerate the County’s anti-racist agenda. As stated in the motion, “Placing equity at the center of our work means evaluating everything that we do through a lens of equity, prioritizing what we do based on data, community-articulated needs, and a more formulaic approach to investments.”

“The Equity in Infrastructure Initiative is building on the County’s momentum to create and advance a bold anti-racist agenda that will transform our region for generations. County departments, community-based organizations, local government, and other stakeholders must coalesce to eliminate structural racism and ensure equitable practices,” said Dr. D’Artagnan Scorza, inaugural executive director of the Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion (ARDI) Initiative.

At the core of this Initiative is an extensive community engagement effort. LA County Public Works is coordinating with groups that are organizing stakeholders and community leaders to hear from impacted neighborhoods about the inequities and disparities they experience.

LA County Public Works is inviting all County residents to share their feedback through an anonymous survey about important service needs in their community, including road repair, flood control, water quality, traffic safety, bike lanes, and trash hauling services. The feedback will inform recommendations to improve all LA County communities and contribute to the broader Countywide ARDI Initiative.

Visit the Equity in Infrastructure Initiative webpage for additional information.