Bridging the Gap: Advancing Equity Through ARPA Investments
The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) enacted in March 2021 to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic gave local governments a once-in-a-generation opportunity to address systemic inequities and invest in long underserved communities. ARPA’s strong commitment to equity allowed its funding to help dismantle barriers and foster inclusive economic growth.
Los Angeles County received an unprecedented amount of this funding—$1.9 billion—to put in place an equitable response to the devastating harm the COVID-19 pandemic inflicted on vulnerable communities.
Facing critical decisions about how to allocate that money, community organizations including Community Coalition, InnerCity Struggle, SEIU Local 2015, and Catalyst California came together to form the Coalition for Equitable ARPA Implementation, to ensure funds went to residents and areas of the county most affected by COVID-19.
In November 2021, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors adopted a motion, Moving Forward on Equitable Implementation of the American Rescue Plan, to address the urgent needs of communities through equitable distribution. A recent nationwide survey of the degree to which localities built equity into their ARPA implementation plans found that this far-reaching motion was the most successful in the country.
Catalyst California developed a case study investigating the implementation of each component of the motion. It involved conducting interviews with county departments and stakeholders, and analyzing the data on the county’s dashboard.
The document, Case Study: Los Angeles County ARPA Equity Motion, helps the county and advocates learn how equity was embedded into the distribution of ARPA funds. The goal was to determine what equity practices and resources can be incorporated into county programs beyond those funded directly by ARPA—with a view to ensuring the county is stronger, more resilient, and more equitable than it was before the pandemic.
Understanding ARPA’s Equity Focus
The case study highlights the strategic allocation of funds to ensure disproportionately affected communities received necessary support. This includes investments in affordable housing, workforce development, healthcare access, and small business recovery, among other critical areas.
One of the key principles guiding ARPA spending was ensuring that historically marginalized groups—low-income families, communities of color, and vulnerable populations—could access resources to promote stability and prosperity in the long term.
Key Areas of Impact
- Standardizing Data Collection and Reporting – The ARPA equity framework guided the county in creating a valuable process and set of tools that could be improved and scaled up to further center equity in program design, program implementation, and budget processes.
- Incorporating Equity into Programs – Integrating equity into these processes was difficult, especially in departments with limited experience working with equity-based tools and data. It took significant time, energy, buy-in, and intentionality to ensure improved outcomes.
- Contracting and Procurement – Streamlining the competitive procurement and contracting process was one of the key components of the ARPA equity motion. But the county's existing process challenged equity promotion in ARPA fund distribution.
- Education and Digital Inclusion – Establishing a public dashboard that provided information on ARPA expenditures and program outcomes was key in the ARPA equity motion. While the dashboard’s implementation was mostly successful, there were challenges.
Looking Ahead: A Commitment to Lasting Change
The ARPA case study underscores the need for accountability and transparency in ensuring that all public funds reach those who need them most. As these investments prioritize data-driven approaches and community engagement, they lay the foundation for sustainable, long-term equity.
Moving forward, we continue pushing for policies that support historically disadvantaged communities and hold institutions accountable for equitable decision-making, funding allocation, and implementation. The processes and tools developed to center equity in the distribution of ARPA funds are not just temporary solutions—they can be a driver of systemic change that will shape a more just and inclusive future for all county residents.
Get Involved
Community members, policymakers, and organizations all play a role in ensuring the county uses funds effectively. To fulfill that role, we must:
- Stay informed
- Participate in local initiatives
- Advocate for equitable policies that benefit all
Together, we can bridge the equity gap to create lasting opportunities for our future generations.