Community Benefits Agreement Los Angeles: A Potential Solution to Promote Equitable Development
Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) is an agreement between developers and community organizations that outlines benefits that the community will receive in exchange for supporting the developer`s project. In Los Angeles, CBAs have become increasingly popular as a tool to promote equitable development, address community concerns, and ensure that all stakeholders benefit from development projects. This article explores the concept of Community Benefits Agreements and its potential benefits in Los Angeles.
What is a Community Benefits Agreement?
A Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) is a legally binding agreement between a developer or a public agency and community organizations that represent the interests of the community. CBAs outline a set of benefits that the developer or agency agrees to provide to the community in exchange for the community`s support for the project. CBAs often include provisions related to affordable housing, job training and placement, local hiring, environmental protections, and community amenities. CBAs typically go beyond what is required by law, ensuring that community members benefit from development projects.
Benefits of Community Benefits Agreements
Community Benefits Agreements have several benefits, including:
1. Ensuring equity in development: CBAs can help ensure that development benefits all stakeholders, not just the developer. They can help prevent displacement of low-income and marginalized communities, create affordable housing opportunities, and promote local hiring.
2. Building community power: CBAs provide an opportunity for community organizations to negotiate with developers and public agencies to ensure that community needs are being met. CBAs can help empower communities to be active participants in the development process.
3. Providing stability: CBAs provide a sense of stability to communities by outlining the benefits that they will receive in exchange for supporting the project. This can help prevent conflicts and ensure that the benefits promised are delivered.
The Growing Popularity of Community Benefits Agreements in Los Angeles
In Los Angeles, CBAs have become increasingly popular as a tool to promote equitable development, address community concerns, and ensure that all stakeholders benefit from development projects. In 2012, the City of Los Angeles passed an ordinance requiring developers of large-scale projects to negotiate with community organizations. This ordinance has led to the creation of several CBAs, including the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art CBA and the Crossroads Hollywood CBA.
In 2018, the City of Los Angeles adopted a new CBA policy that requires developers of city-owned land to negotiate with community organizations and prioritize community benefits. This policy has the potential to increase the number of CBAs in Los Angeles. Furthermore, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has adopted a similar policy, requiring developers of county-owned land to negotiate with community organizations.
Conclusion
Community Benefits Agreements have the potential to promote equitable development, address community concerns, and ensure that all stakeholders benefit from development projects. In Los Angeles, CBAs have become increasingly popular as a tool to achieve these goals. As the City of Los Angeles and Los Angeles County continue to adopt CBA policies, we can expect to see an increase in the number of CBAs in the future. With community organizations empowered to negotiate with developers and agencies, CBAs can help ensure that development in Los Angeles benefits all stakeholders.