News

A First Look at the Demographic and Housing Characteristics File in Southern California and Beyond

The United States Census Bureau recently released a critical update to its 2020 numbers, offering additional data on the demographic and housing characteristics of local communities across the country. 

This data puts known trends in historical perspective and shows how differently Southern California, and Los Angeles County in particular, has evolved from the rest of the nation in the last generation. 

The number of Southern Californians leaving the state leveled off last year, but the region will continue to experience slow population growth due to accelerated aging and immigration declines, according to data released Wednesday at the 34th Annual Demographic Workshop. 

Sponsored by the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) and the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy, the workshop brought together the region’s leading demographers and population experts, as well as more than 400 attendees from the public and private sectors. 

On Oct. 5, SCAG’s Regional Council approved the allocation of $12.3 million to 22 projects across the six-county region that support increased housing production, sustainable land-use strategies and multimodal communities.

The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) on Thursday released its draft Connect SoCal 2024 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy, outlining direction for the region to meet federal transportation air quality standards and state greenhouse gas emission targets through $750 billion in transportation investments and a regional development pattern. Notable in this plan update are new strategies for addressing the housing crisis and homelessness, adapting to climate change and investing in underserved communities. 

Draft Connect SoCal 2024–the draft 2024-2050 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS) and draft 2023 Federal Transportation Improvement Program (FTIP) Amendment #23-26.

On Nov. 2, SCAG’s Regional Council approved the allocation of $45 million to 14 innovative housing finance projects across Southern California. 

The Lasting Affordability Program, under which these funding awards are issued, represents SCAG’s fourth sub-allocation of funding under the state-funded Regional Early Action Planning of 2021 (REAP 2.0) grant. The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) formally awarded SCAG $246 million in REAP 2.0 grants earlier this year to accelerate progress toward housing goals and climate commitments by strengthening the partnership between the state, its regions and local entities. Project awards support program-level investments in housing trust funds, community land trusts and catalyst funds.  

The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), as the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Lead Agency, has released a Draft Program Environmental Impact Report (Draft PEIR) (State Clearinghouse No.: 2022100337) for the proposed 2024-2050 Regional Transportation Plan and Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS), also referred to as “Connect SoCal 2024”, “2024 RTP/SCS”, “Plan”, or “Project.” The Draft PEIR serves as a programmatic document that presents a region‐wide assessment of the potential environmental effects of Connect SoCal 2024. 

A copy of the Notice of Availability (NOA) and Connect SoCal 2024 Draft PEIR is available by visiting scag.ca.gov/peir. 

SCAG is now accepting applications for the 2024 SCAG Sustainability Awards, SCAG’s annual recognition of plans and development projects that best exemplify the core principles of sustainability. These plans and projects are integral to accomplishing the goals of the , and they promote a cleaner, healthier and happier Southern California.  

Nearly 400 attendees joined SCAG for the 14th Annual Southern California Economic Summit on Dec. 7, 2023, to discuss connections between regional planning and the long-term health of the Southern California economy. 

The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) has been awarded $12 million to develop a regional action plan to improve roadway safety, expand its popular Go Human program and help local jurisdictions reduce or eliminate serious injuries and fatalities. 

The Planning and Demonstration Grant is one of the largest of its kind being awarded this year by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). 

The Fiscal Year (So Far)

SCAG is proud to collaborate across the region to plan for a brighter future for Southern California. Here are a few highlights from the fiscal year so far!

SCAG is now accepting project nominations for Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG), Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) and Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) funding. This funding solicitation has an estimated combined budget of $278 million across all three funding sources.    

On Jan. 4, SCAG’s Regional Council approved $35 million for 12 projects that will help local jurisdictions meet their housing production goals. 

The grants were approved under the Regional Utilities Supporting Housing Pilot Program (RUSH) to support investments in utility infrastructure planning and capital improvements. RUSH is part of SCAG’s efforts to fund planning, financing and infrastructure to accelerate housing production under SCAG’s Regional Early Action Planning program, which has awarded more than $192 million to projects throughout Southern California in the past year.   

Kome Ajise, Executive Director of the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), released the following statement regarding proposed budget cuts to the Regional Early Action Planning Grants (REAP 2.0) and Infill Infrastructure Grants programs: 

The “Student Showcase” poster and StoryMap competition challenges students to think innovatively and meaningfully to tell a story, provide insight, showcase plans and projects, engage supporters and stakeholders, illustrate the possibilities of data and highlight the usefulness of open data at the regional level. SCAG is proud to invite student participants to conceptualize, create and submit posters and ArcGIS StoryMaps.    

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The annual 2024 SCAG Scholarship Program is now open. To apply for the SCAG Scholarship Program or for more information, visit the SCAG Scholarship website.

Southern California is notably diverse, with communities and individuals originating from all over the world and contributing food, music, events and more to the culture of our cities and neighborhoods—but Southern California has a long way to go in making sure that everyone, and all genders, benefits from its immense economic power. 

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SCAG recently published a Local Investments Dashboard to gather information about local efforts throughou

SCAG is pleased to announce the Keynote Speaker for the 59th Annual Regional Conference and General Assembly, May 2-3 in Palm Desert. 

Keynote Speaker: Sarita Maybin, Communications Expert and Author 

Successful collaborative partnerships depend on effective communication, especially for communities and organizations in diverse settings like Southern California. This keynote presentation will share proven communication strategies to achieve positive change while navigating challenges and obstacles.  

2023-24 Regional Council President Art Brown closed out his term at the 2024 Regional Conference and General Assembly by sharing the “2023-24 President’s Report,” a detailed report of SCAG’s accomplishments since the beginning of his term at last year’s General Assembly in May 2023. SCAG also debuted the 2023-24 Year in Review video, highlighting SCAG’s most significant accomplishments over the same period and celebrating the leadership and collaboration that made it possible.