New research highlights the city of Los Angeles’ COVID-19 pandemic response as an example of how innovation can increase the speed of addressing resident needs.

By Colin Murphy, Senior Writer

Times of crisis often reveal the power of a city’s ability to innovate. In the City of Los Angeles during the COVID-19 pandemic, the city’s capacity to collaborate with partners rapidly helped address the sudden, shocking economic hardship for residents.

A new case study, “Powering Relief for Angelenos: Emergency Economic Support Through Pandemic Cash Assistance,” authored by researchers from the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University, explores how innovation-driven partnerships can create the opportunity to develop cutting-edge programming—like establishing a citywide direct cash assistance program in just weeks. 

The Partnership Behind the Pandemic-Ignited Direct Cash Assistance in Los Angeles

Direct cash assistance initiatives, in which governments provide funds directly to individuals or households in need, are not new. However, in the City of Los Angeles, the concept was implemented through a partnership between then-Mayor Eric Garcetti, key local partners, including the Mayor’s Fund of Los Angeles, and the city’s Innovation Team (i-team), to spur relief with a new level of freedom. Through the rollout of the Angeleno Card, debit cards ranging from $700 to $1,500 in value, low-income residents were offered the opportunity to address household and health needs without restrictions on how to use the funds. In just a few months, the city and partners were able to disburse more than $37 million to over 104,000 residents. 

Partner Highlight: How a Community-Based Organization Sped Up Delivery 

In Los Angeles during the pandemic, FamilySource Centers, community-based organizations focused on supporting low-income families in pre-pandemic needs, were among the most critical collaboration forces to aid in Angeleno Card delivery. By building on the existing trusted connection with residents, processes, and networks of the FamilySource Centers, the Mayor’s Fund team was able to quickly connect with and identify new households in need to distribute Angeleno Cards and inform the model for how cities can partner to quickly enhance service delivery.

What other insights from the Los Angeles direct cash assistance work can inform the blueprint for how cities deliver service? How did the connections and unrestricted fund use help address family needs?

Find answers to these questions and more – download “Powering Relief for Angelenos: Emergency Economic Support Through Pandemic Cash Assistance” today.