Skip to Content
Streetsblog California home
Streetsblog California home
Log In
CA Air Resources Board (CARB)

State Agencies to Hold Joint Discussion on Equity

Drone shot of downtown LA skyline in the far smoggy distance, suburban city in foreground

City of Commerce by Ken Lund

This Thursday starting at 9 am, the California Air Resources Board (CARB), the California Transportation Commission (CTC), and the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) will meet online to coordinate their diverse agency actions and goals.

That's the plan, at least, as called for by state law, which requires the three agencies to meet at least twice a year "to coordinate implementation of policies that jointly affect transportation, housing, and air quality."

These meetings have not always been super productive, with board members and commissioners sometimes talking past each other- but they have, over time, at least helped create relationships between the agencies, which was at least part of the point of the effort.

This week's meeting will focus on equity. The topic has long been neglected and, while lately risen to the attention of many, is not always well understood nor effectively incorporated into plans, policies, and actions from these and other state agencies.

Speakers will include staff who are leading equity efforts in each of the agencies. The agenda does not yet offer specifics, but agency staff is slated to discuss ways the three agencies are coordinating their actions on increasing housing and reducing driving, and how equity plays into those issues.

Also on the agenda is a presentation from Fresno-based Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability on recent community-based initiatives in the Central Valley. Leadership Counsel will discuss how agencies can deepen and improve community engagement, ensure that state transportation investments prioritize the needs of existing and under-served communities, and refrain from causing more harm in terms of displacement and other potential adverse impacts from state transportation programs.

City Heights Community Development Corporation and the Thrivance Group will offer similar examples of successes and challenges in their work to improve community leadership on investments in affordable housing and low-carbon transportation.

Also on the agenda is a report from another state agency, the Strategic Growth Council, on the California Transportation Assessment. This report is required Assembly Bill 285, which calls for an assessment of state progress, or lack thereof, on reducing greenhouse gas emissions through investments in transportation and housing.

More information about the meeting can be found here, and agenda details will be posted on Thursday morning.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog California

Metro Ridership Snapshot Suggests Added Service, Bus Lanes, and Walk/Bike Projects Increase Riders

Overall Metro ridership grew 7.5 percent year-over-year, but some rail and bus lines grew 10-20+ percent. SBLA explores factors that influenced outsized system-leading ridership increases.

November 8, 2024

Safe-Streets Politicians Gain in the Bay Area

Against the national news of suck, here's a bit more good news around the Bay Area

November 8, 2024

Friday Video: Would Our Cities Be Better Off Without Public Hearings?

Is the way America does public hearings making our cities more democratic, or obstructing the kinds of human-centered projects we need most?

November 8, 2024

Friday’s Headlines

It's climate change; Walk in L.A.; Silicon Valley ridership has recovered; LCFS debate still focusing on gas prices; More

November 8, 2024

Eyes on the Street: 57/60 Freeway Confluence Construction in Progress

New off-ramps have begun to sprout out of the dirt, and widening surface streets are going through the growing pains of construction closures

November 7, 2024
See all posts