FREQUENTLY ASKED

What is Esperanza Community Housing Corporation?

Esperanza is a nationally-recognized nonprofit that supports the empowerment of low-income families of South Los Angeles to build healthy lives and thriving neighborhoods. 

Do you only provide housing?

We provide services in five program areas which does include affordable housing.  Our five focus areas include programs in Affordable Housing, Health and Access to Care, Arts & Culture, Economic Development, and Environmental Justice.

Can I get housing through Esperanza?

Esperanza properties are managed by Vista West Properties.  Please contact the site property management offices for an application and information about current vacancies and/or placement on the waiting list.

What do you do?

We work towards developing a strong, prosperous, healthy community with a holistic approach that includes program in housing, health, economic development, arts and culture, and environmental justice.

We promote well-being and access to health care.  We preserve and develop affordable housing.  We pursue economic development through the creation of business ownership opportunities and career wage jobs in our community at Mercado La Paloma.  We provide stimulating art experiences for youth and our community with art and culture exhibits and our community gardening projects.

What is a Promotor de Salud?

A Promoter de Salud a community member who has been trained in Esperanza’s comprehensive health education curriculum and is uniquely linked to the cultural and regional connections in the community.  Promotores are knowledgeable in a wide range of health, advocacy, housing and social services.  They utilize their relationship with the community and leadership capacity to link underserved and “hard-to-reach” communities to health and well-being services.

What’s your connection to the Mercardo la Paloma?

The Mercardo la Paloma is an economic development project of Esperanza which we began in 1999 to provide opportunities for family business ownership and employment for local residents.  The Mercado is a vibrant community gathering space that provides entrepreneurship and employment opportunities, and showcases local artists.We work towards developing a strong, prosperous, healthy community with a holistic approach that includes program in housing, health, economic development, arts and culture, and environmental justice.

How does all your work fit together?

All of our programs have been designed in response to community needs which are often interlocking.  We create intentional connections to our programs to support community development.  We believe in building our community by offering a wide range of support systems which provide empowerment opportunities for our neighborhood.

Do you work with other nonprofits?

Absolutely, we work with many organizations including non-profits, city, state and federal agencies to enhance our capacity and services.  Our work is collaborative by nature and is reinforced with the strength of our partners.  We are particularly proud of our long-term strategic relationships as founding members of the Figueroa Corridor Coalition for Economic Justice,  Better Neighborhood/ Same Neighbors Coalition, the South Los Angeles Health and Human Rights Coalition,  the South Los Angeles Healthy Homes Coalition, the Los Angeles Healthy Homes Collaborative, the Asthma Coalition of Los Angeles County, Vision y Compromiso, the Neighborhood Based CDC Coalition, and  TRUST South Los Angeles.

How can I support Esperanza?

We offer volunteer and internship opportunities for dedicated individuals.  Please call Esperanza for details at 213.748.7285.  Volunteer and internship opportunities are seasonally offered around special projects, organizing campaigns, and events. Additionally, we gladly offer donation and sponsorship opportunities for those interested in supporting our work.