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APRIL COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER |
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As much as we try to slow down—to learn, connect, and have meaningful conversations—we’re often up against systems that move fast, feel transactional, and leave little room for care. Being in two escrows pushed us into that rushed pace: juggling inspections, meetings, and decisions.
Thanks to the deep relationships we’ve built with community and partners, we didn’t have to do it alone. We moved fast, yes—but we moved together.
In this NELA neighborhood issue Escrow x 2: Growing our neighbor-first movement ROOTED in Summer: Join us June 26 for our annual fundraiser Somos NELA Night Market shifts with the sun from 6p-9p. |
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Building a Movement: Community Housing is Growing
After acquiring Arvia last year—our first-ever community-owned housing property in Northeast LA—we’re now in escrow on two more properties. This is a huge step forward, made possible through our partnership with Self-Help Ventures Fund, and marks a turning point in scaling our model for community-led, permanently affordable housing.
We’re still deep in due diligence, but we’re excited to share where we are and what it means for the future of housing in our neighborhoods:
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We are demystifying escrow with our community. |
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Members of our new Community Governance Committee—working-class residents from Northeast LA — joined us for escrow inspections on two properties. Together, we assessed rehab needs, prioritized improvements, and defined what affordable rent should look like in a process that’s usually confusing and closed off. |
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Funders are interested in our model! |
| Our model—buying and rehabbing properties for affordable, dignified rentals without public subsidy—is gaining traction. We’re proud to have received our first Program Related Investment (PRI) from a local foundation. More details coming next month!
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| We're exploring multiple housing pathways with our community. |
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Every resident and property has its own story, so we're creating space to discuss options beyond our model. At our last NELACHA meeting (notes here), we held a workshop on collective homeownership. Join us May 6 from 5-8PM at Arvia for a community celebration or May 27 for our next NELACHA meeting. RSVP with melissa@mas.la. |
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We’re building a community-driven solution to the housing crisis. |
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One that prioritizes local decision-making and permanent affordability without public funding. With each property we acquire and each time we share what we’ve learned—like our recent talk with housing experts and Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez’s office (notes here)—we’re refining a model that can work for communities everywhere.
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It’s Here! ROOTED for NELA on June 26
Our annual fundraiser is back—and it's happening earlier this year! Join us for a powerful evening of handcrafted food, live music, and inspiring conversations as we honor the people and partners shaping the future of Northeast LA.
With over 150 civic leaders in the room, we’ll celebrate bold strides in community development, housing justice, and neighborhood-rooted solutions.
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This year’s ROOTED is extra meaningful. As we grow our community housing model, we’re spotlighting three trailblazing partners who’ve helped make it all possible: Self-Help Ventures Fund: For fueling community ownership through creative capital and deep trust. Little Tokyo Service Center: For showing us what true community self-determination and ecosystem care look like. L.A. County Affordable Housing Solutions Agency (LACAHSA): For championing new models in affordable housing, preservation, and tenant power.
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Grab your tickets now and be part of an evening that’s about the power of place, people, and possibility.
Want to make a bigger impact? Become a Rooted 2025 sponsor—contact ronnie@mas.la.
Thank you to our Host Committee: Co-Chairs: Betty Avila and Natalie Donlin-Zappella With: Andre McLaughlin, Dalia Yedidia, Eva Chavez, Giselle Kasim, Helen Campbell, Jenna Hornstock, Jess Skylar, Jordan Gonzalez, Lauren Kim, Lila Higgins, Marco Covarrubias, Maryam Hosseinzadeh, and Wendy Gomez.
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Spring hours have sprung at SOMOS NELA!
Spring is here, and so are new vendors, fresh energy, and longer evenings at SOMOS NELA. Our weekly Friday night market now runs from 6-9 PM, giving you more time to connect, shop, and laugh with your neighbors.
"My grandfather used to live in this neighborhood. I'm so glad this place is returning to being a community space." — NELA resident |
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| SOMOS NELA isn’t just a market—it’s a community-powered space where local culture, economic opportunity, and housing justice come together. Come support vendors like Pilar Quispe, who’s serving up amazing Peruvian food (get there early for her famous papas rellenas) while keeping cultural traditions alive.
Pilar is a longtime community leader who’s working to improve food access in NELA. By supporting vendors like Pilar, you’re enabling local leaders to remain active forces for positive change in our neighborhoods. Watch Pilar talking about her delicious food here! |
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April and May activities at SOMOS NELA 👧🏻 April 25 and May 30: Kids’ activities with Pajaritos Forest School
🕺🏽 May 2 and 16: Sidewalk dance party with DJ Ocelotl
🎨 May 23: Art-making with Crush n Touch Art Supply
Want to help shape the future of SOMOS NELA?
Join our Community Economies meeting on April 29 at 5:30 PM. RSVP with miguel@mas.la.
Follow @northeastla_market on Instagram for the latest!
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From celebration to direct support, here are two meaningful ways you can help strengthen our community right now:
1. Save the Date: ROOTED—June 26
Celebrate our collective wins and honor the partners powering change.
🎟️ Get your tickets
2. Support Community Housing
Help us secure two more properties this spring and keep families rooted in NELA. We’re seeking grants, PRIs, low-interest loans, and donations.
📩 Contact helen@mas.la
Thank you!
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| Your support ensures our neighbors can continue to call Northeast Los Angeles, home! 🏘️
Join this work by making a tax-deductible donation to LA Más. |
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LA Más is a community organization building collective power in Northeast Los Angeles to promote neighborhood stability and economic resilience for working class communities of color. |
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