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Retrofit LA
Founding Cohort

Cohort
Members

Founding Cohort

Retrofit LA brings together leading community development organizations committed to advancing building preservation strategies in affordable multifamily housing.

As the lead organization, Sustento supports the multi-organizational cohort from project development through financing and construction. We engage with capital providers and ecosystem partners, equip members with streamlined tools and shared resources, and track and synthesize the project pipeline—all resulting in the co-development of the Field Guide.

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

  • East LA Community Corporation (ELACC)

    A community-based nonprofit organization that develops, owns, and manages affordable housing in East Los Angeles. ELACC owns 21 affordable multifamily housing properties in Los Angeles, including Lorena Terrace—the first completed Comprehensive Affordable Multifamily Retrofit (CAMR) project and a model for how strategic building improvements preserve affordable housing portfolios.

    LEARN MORE →

  • Little Tokyo Service Center (LTSC)

    Little Tokyo Service Center provides culturally-aware social services and builds affordable housing for underserved communities in Los Angeles. Founded in 1979, LTSC strengthens neighborhoods through community development, supports low-income families, and preserves Little Tokyo's cultural heritage.

    FIND OUT MORE →

  • Esperanza Community Housing

    Esperanza Community Housing Corporation is a social justice nonprofit serving South Central Los Angeles since 1989. They develop affordable housing, champion environmental justice, promote health equity through their renowned Promotora model, support local economic opportunities, and advocate for policies protecting human rights in Indigenous, Black, Latino, and immigrant communities.

    HOW THEY WORK →

  • California Housing Partnership

    California Housing Partnership is a nonprofit founded in 1988 that creates and preserves affordable homes for low-income Californians. They provide expert financial consulting, policy advocacy, and technical assistance to nonprofit developers and public agencies. With over 75,000 homes created statewide, they combine hands-on support with research-driven policy solutions.

    EXPLORE FURTHER →

FEATURED PROJECT

Vallejo Retrofit

Project Overview

Through the grant from the Center for Community Investment, Retrofit LA is enabling the comprehensive retrofit of Vallejo, a 100-year-old, 17-unit multifamily affordable housing asset owned by East LA Community Corporation.

Project Goals

  • Demonstrate comprehensive building preservation approach in historic affordable housing

  • Extend building lifecycle and improve long-term financial viability

  • Create replicable model for similar properties across LA

  • Document lessons learned and share with broader field

Project Timeline
18 months

Retrofit Measures
The scope includes a full electrical rewire for both buildings, installation of heat pumps for HVAC, heat pump water heaters (central and unit-level), Energy Star dual-pane windows, LED lighting, low-flow fixtures, and induction cooktops. Electrical upgrades include new switchgear, meters, subpanels, and solar-ready conduit.

LEARNING & IMPACT

Retrofit LA is committed to building field-level understanding of what it takes to create, fund, and implement successful building preservation strategies. We are documenting and sharing insights about:

  • Resident engagement and ownership models 

  • Capital deployment and financing strategies 

  • Organizational capacity and time management

  • Effective multisector collaboration 

  • Overcoming barriers to comprehensive retrofits

VIEW THE COHORT MAP

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