Civil Rights Title VI
A 1964 federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color and national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. (Source: Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice)
Climate adaptation
The process of taking action to adjust to the current or expected climate and its effects in order to reduce harm or take advantage of potential benefits. This process differs between human and natural systems. In human systems, adaptation involves updating infrastructure or changing practices to cope with climate impacts (e.g., constructing seawalls to protect […]
Climate mitigation
Refers to actions to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to reduce the severity of climate change. Also referred to as GHG mitigation or GHG reduction. (Source: Governor’s Office of Emergency Services California Adaptation Planning Guide)
Climate resilience
The capacity of any entity—an individual, a community, an organization or a natural system—to prepare for disruptions, to recover from shocks and stresses, and to adapt and grow from a disruptive experience. (Source: “Planning and Investing for a Resilient California: A Guidebook for State Agencies”, from Judith Rodin, “The Resilience Dividend: Being Strong in a […]
Commercial vacancy rate
The percentage of available commercial real estate space that is unoccupied over a specific time period, used as an indicator of business district health and economic vitality. (Source: Toolkit project team definition)
Community
A geographic and/or social group of people with a shared identity, affiliation and/or origin. For the purposes of Metro equity resources, “community” includes people who may be served or are otherwise impacted by Metro’s services, including but not limited to, Metro riders, program participants, residents and/or local business owners. (Source: LA Metro Equity Planning and Evaluation Tool)
Community benefits agreement
A legally binding contract between community groups and developers that requires specific amenities, protections or benefits in exchange for community support of a development project, often including local hiring requirements and affordable housing provisions. Community benefits agreements and local hiring programs should target living wage employment opportunities, not just minimum wage positions, to create meaningful economic impact for equity […]
Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs)
Specialized, mission-driven financial institutions, including banks, credit unions, loan funds and venture capital funds, that provide fair, responsible financing to underserved rural and urban communities. Certified by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s CDFI Fund, they promote economic growth by offering loans, investments and financial services to individuals, small businesses and non-profits. (Source: Adapted from […]
Community engagement
The process of working collaboratively with a diverse group of residents, community-based organizations and other impacted or interested parties to address issues affecting their well-being. It involves sharing information, building relationships and partnerships and involving community members in planning and making decisions with the goal of improving the outcomes of policies and programs. (Source: California […]
Community indicator
Quantifiable measures of community results, disaggregated by race/ethnicity and income. (Source: LA Metro Office of Equity and Race definition)