Executive Director’s Monthly Report, August 2025
Ventura County Leverages REAP 2.0 Funding to Expand Affordable Housing Finance Tool
Using funding from SCAG’s Regional Early Action Planning Grant Program’s (REAP 2.0) Lasting Affordability Program, Housing Land Trust Ventura County (HLTVC) is launching a Revolving Long-Term Loan Program for Infill Affordable Housing Developments. This program offers 15- to 18-year residual receipts loans that meet the needs of affordable housing developers and extend the impact of each dollar. HLTVC also leveraged SCAG’s REAP 2.0 grant to secure an additional $150,000 in funding from U.S. Bank, Mechanics Bank, and First Citizens Bank, which will be used to establish internal policies and tools to support community land trust development.
Together, these efforts represent an innovative model that accelerates housing production and preserves long-term affordability, also supporting REAP 2.0 goals to promote infill housing, reduce vehicle miles traveled, and implement local and regional housing strategies. SCAG awarded $5 million to Housing Trust Fund Ventura County in November 2023, with $500,000 for the HLTVC.
Read the Housing Trust Fund Ventura County’s press release to learn more.
SCAG Sends $3.9 Million to ‘We Lift: the Coachella Valley Housing Catalyst Fund’
In early July, SCAG disbursed $3.9 million in Regional Early Action Planning (REAP 2.0) grant funding to ‘We Lift: The Coachella Valley Housing Catalyst Fund,’ managed by the nonprofit organization Lift to Rise. The We Lift Fund is an innovative regional catalyst fund providing flexible, low-interest loans to community-prioritized affordable housing projects delayed due to a gap in financing. SCAG’s contribution will be matched one-for-one by a community development financial institution and is expected to initially help create at least 300 affordable units benefiting households earning up to 80 percent of the area median income.
SCAG administered the REAP 2.0 grant through the Lasting Affordability Program. The Lasting Affordability Program supports the development and expansion of regional housing trusts and catalyst funds, along with other actions, increasing locally available affordable housing funding. To date, the Lasting Affordability Program has deployed $13.9 million in REAP 2.0 grant funding to three revolving loan programs.
SCAG Region Resolves Current Highway Sanction Issues
SCAG staff have continued work to resolve highway sanction clocks by engaging with impacted air districts and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) to track progress of corrective actions, discuss solutions to turn off highway sanctions, and prevent imposition of highway sanctions. Since June 2024, the U.S. EPA has permanently stopped four highway sanction clocks in the SCAG region, reducing the number of sanctions impacting the SCAG region from 13 to nine. The U.S. EPA recently approved interim actions to defer the remaining nine highway sanction clocks.
SCAG and Brookings Present Forthcoming Report to Tribal Alliance of Sovereign Indian Nations
SCAG and Brookings Metro attended the regular meeting of the Tribal Alliance of Sovereign Indian Nations (TASIN) on July 28, sharing information about the “Developing a Data Ecosystem to Advance Indigenous Self-Determination and Wellbeing in Southern California” report slated for publication next month.
SCAG Project Lead Victor Negrete presented an overview of SCAG’s Inclusive Economic Recovery Strategy, which funded the study. Brookings Metro Project Lead Robert Maxim, an enrolled member of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, summarized the development of the report, which included input from various Tribal organizations and government partners. The report outlines challenges affecting data on Native American populations, presents insights into data use in Tribal contexts, and provides recommendations for regional, state, and federal action to improve data quality for Tribal partners.
The meeting was well attended by representatives from Tribes across the SCAG region, including Soboba, Pechanga, Santa Rosa, Agua Caliente, Morongo, and San Manuel. SCAG Policy Committee Member Joseph Murphy (Pechanga Band of Indians) also participated along with TASIN Secretary Steven Estrada, who is also Tribal Chairman of the Santa Rosa Band of Cahuilla Indians and Tribal Administrator for the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians.
SCAG Co-Hosts Climate Resolve’s ‘Reflect LA’ Event
Climate Resolve—along with co-hosts SCAG, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, and the Smart Surfaces Coalition and with support from the Urban Sustainability Directors Network and Climate Mayors—hosted “The Reflect Effect” in Downtown Los Angeles on July 24-25. The event gathered public works professionals from around the country to learn from technical experts, business leaders, policymakers, and other practitioners about the latest technologies and innovations in cool surfaces—cool roofs, walls, and pavement—that cities are deploying to increase resilient to extreme heat.
The program included expert presentations on practical applications; discussion of opportunities, challenges, and solutions for cool roofs, walls, and pavement; visits to cool surface project sites; and live demonstrations of cool pavement products. SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise provided opening remarks on addressing urban extreme heat through cool surfaces, urban greening, and nature-based solutions.
SCAG Go Human Staff Speaks at ‘Driving Mobility 12’ Expo from Sustain SoCal
Go Human staff recently presented on the program’s traffic safety resources as part of the Driving Mobility 12 Expo from Sustain SoCal at the UC Irvine Beall Applied Innovation Lab. The event focused on sustainable transportation solutions, including topics ranging from EV battery recycling to fuel cell vehicles to micro-transport and active transportation. With over 150 transportation students and professionals in attendance, Go Human staff presented alongside representatives from the Orange County Transportation Authority and the city of Costa Mesa in a session titled “Active Transport: Planning, Implementation and Engagement.” Go Human staff promoted SCAG’s Kit of Parts, Community Streets Grant Program, and co-branded safety messaging materials.
SCAG Attends L.A. Metro’s Annual State of the Agency
SCAG Chief of Government and Public Affairs Javiera Cartagena joined numerous regional leaders at the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (Metro) annual State of the Agency—where past Metro Board Chair and Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn passed the gavel to new Metro Board Chair and Whittier City Councilman Fernando Dutra. Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins highlighted Metro ridership increases of 50 percent since 2021, and customer satisfaction rates currently at 87 percent—as well as upgrades that soon enable riders to pay fare directly with a credit or debit card. Dutra said he will focus on completing Metro’s major expansion projects, including the Southeast Gateway Line, the Foothill and D Line extensions, and two projects in the San Fernando Valley.
SCAG Participates in COG General Assemblies
SCAG staff recently attended the general assemblies for the Western Riverside Council of Governments (WRCOG) and the Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG).
SCAG Immediate Past President Curt Hagman and Regional Council Member Steve Sanchez (La Quinta) joined SCAG at the 34th Annual WRCOG General Assembly & Leadership Address. Celebrating another successful year, WRCOG welcomed four-star Admiral William McRaven, U.S. Navy retired, as keynote speaker. SCAG Regional Council members Alan Wapner (San Bernardino County Transportation Authority), Karen Spiegel (Riverside County), Steve Manos (Lake Elsinore), Linda Krupa (Hemet), and SCAG policy committee members Joseph Morabito (Wildomar), Dale Welty (Canyon Lake), Colleen Wallace (Banning), Linda Molina (Calimesa), Crystal Ruiz (San Jacinto), and Valerie Vandever (San Jacinto) were also in attendance.
CVAG held its annual General Assembly at the Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort and Spa, providing an opportunity for CVAG members to reflect on the past year’s accomplishments and recognize outgoing CVAG chairman, Rancho Mirage Mayor Ted Weill. This year’s keynote address was delivered by U.S. Rep. Ken Calvert (R-41), whose district includes Palm Desert, Palm Springs, La Quinta, Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells, and parts of the Inland Empire. Congressman Calvert was recognized for his continued advocacy on behalf of the Salton Sea and other key regional priorities and took questions from those in attendance. SCAG Regional Council members Jan Harnik (Palm Desert), Steve Sanchez (La Quinta), Gary Gardner (Desert Hot Springs), and Policy Committee Member Waymond Fermon (Indio) were in attendance.
San Bernardino Honors Ray Wolfe at San Bernardino County Transportation Authority Delegates Meeting
SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise joined San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) board members in congratulating Dr. Ray Wolfe on his retirement after serving 12 years as the executive director of the SBCTA. With a career spanning over 30 years, Dr. Raymond Wolfe has a distinguished record of leadership, commitment, and service to San Bernardino County, the Inland Empire, and Southern California. Ajise and the SCAG Regional Council thank Dr. Wolfe for his contributions to the region, extend their heartfelt thanks for his distinguished service, and wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement.
SCAG Attends South Bay Cities Council of Governments Presidential Reception
SCAG staff attended the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) Presidential Reception and re-organization of the SBCCOG Board of Directors. SCAG was honored to present South Bay Cities Council of Governments Outgoing Chair Gardena Mayor Pro Tem Rodney Tanaka with a certificate of recognition for his leadership and accomplishments this past year. Mayor Pro Tem of Lawndale Bernadette Suarez was elected as the new SBCCOG chair during the event.
Go Human Hosts Safe and Active Streets Working Group
Go Human recently hosted the Safe and Active Streets Working Group to explore new and upcoming safety efforts, such as the accessibility assessment, community-led messaging, and community expert services; resources for traffic safety event support and helmet distribution; and an update on Go Human strategies for 2026. SCAG’s Mobility Planning and Good Movement team also presented an update on the SCAG Mobility Hubs program and shared the “Mobility Hubs Design and Implementation Guide” published earlier this year. The guide highlights best practices and approaches for implementing mobility hubs in the SCAG region, providing guidance on how to build out a mobility hub network. The design and implementation considerations can be used by any entity interested in creating mobility hubs for their community.
SCAG Receives ‘Risk Management Award’ From California Joint Powers Insurance Authority
During the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (CJPIA) Annual Board Meeting on July 23, SCAG won a 2025 Risk Management Award for Best Overall Performance in the Workers’ Compensation Program for non-municipal agencies. More than 77 public agency peers recognized SCAG with the award.
The Risk Management Awards highlight dedicated efforts and achievements in risk management by recognizing CJPIA members who have demonstrated excellence and effective leadership in the Liability and Workers’ Compensation Programs. To select the winners, CJPIA staff evaluated various factors that reflect an organization’s risk management efforts, including overall claims performance, improvement in claims performance over time, responsiveness to Loss Control Action Plan recommendations, members’ engagement with risk management, participation in risk management programs, and attendance at training and academy opportunities.
Two Go Human-Funded Partners Awarded for APA California Chapter Awards
Los Angeles Walks and Tomorrow’s World, both Go Human-funded projects in 2024, have been recognized recently by the American Planning Association (APA) California Chapter. The chapter will honor these two partners at the APA California 2025 Conference in Monterey in September. Los Angeles Walks will receive the Award of Merit in the Communications Initiative & Outreach category for their project, Safe Streets Advocates/Safe Streets Promotoras Office Hours. Tomorrow’s World will receive the Award of Merit in the Grassroots category for its project, the Rialto Juneteenth Jam. Congratulations to these partners for this well-earned recognition.
