Healing
Justice
To: Mayor and City Council
Center
The Healing and Justice Center is a community based, bipoc led nonprofit serving Los Angeles County with a focus in San Gabriel Valley. Our mission is to support BIPOC individuals, communities and organizations by creating safe, healing and connected spaces.
We believe if we are to build strong communities and interdependency, healing based and relationship strengthening approaches must be at the center of all we do.
Currently, our services include
1. FREE Tenant Counseling Hotline
2. Nonviolent Parent Education
3. Regenerative Conflict Resolution training
4. Movement Healing Practices
Our advocacy efforts rest in
1. Tenant Rights and Affordable Housing
2. Digital Equity
The COVID pandemic highlighted several community needs and injustices, especially as it surrounds internet or broadband access. I think we all saw, or at least heard of, the viral photograph of the two small children sitting outside of a fast food restaurant trying to connect to the wi-fi just so they can complete their school work.
It is shameful, these children and thousands of families like them, had to resort to these measures.
Additionally, if you wanted to find resources for food, employment, COVID information and vaccines, see your doctor, go to school, work, pass the time on Netflix or even attend city council meetings, you needed access to broadband. And it's not just about access, but also having the equipment and literacy to be able to access and navigate the internet effectively.
https://www.HealingAndJusticeCenter.org
ElIE ElEI
V •V • V • v •v•v•v•v•v•v•v•V• V•v•v•v•v•v•V•v•V•V•V•V•V• Which is why we joined Digital Equity Los Angeles. A coalition of over 50+ organizations from all across different fields such as education, health, housing, environmental justice and more. In our work over the last year, we have uncovered discriminatory practices from the monopolies/duopolies of our internet service providers like Charter-Spectrum, Frontier and AT&T.
We researched and highlighted discriminatory pricing practices of Charter-Spectrum, which serves over 80% of LA County. We found they were offering much lower "promotional pricing" in areas like Malibu and Rancho Palos Verdes, than in low income, people of color areas like East Los Angeles. We published this in our Pricing Disparities report and began to urge the County Board of Supervisors to investigate and correct these discriminatory practices. You can find this report at https://www.digitalequityla.org.
We are asking the City Councils all across the SGV to help us close the Digital Divide and write a supportive letter to the LA County Board of Supervisors to investigate and stop discriminatory practices of these providers, and to take steps to ensure all of LA County has equitable and affordable access to the internet.
We've provided you with data and fact sheets outlining these disparities, sample letters to draft to the BOS and we are open to meeting with you and discussing further. We hope we can have your support to ensure all your constituents are connected equitably.
Thank you for your consideration!
Sincerely,
Jorge Rivera, Administrator
(562) 590-5601 Direct / Text
[email protected]
DEMETEME MEMENEMEMEMEMEMEMEEI
V•V•V •V•V• V•V• V•V• V•V• V• V• V•V•V• V• V• V• V• V• V• V • V • V • V • California
COMMUNITY Digital Redlining Primer
Foundation
Systematic Underinvestment by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in Low-Income Communities and Communities of Color is a
Driver of Digital Inequity
Access to the internet is required to fully The Public Advocates Office of the California participate in modern society. Broadband is a Public Utilities Commission defines Digital utility alongside electricity and water. However, Redlining' as practices that:
many Los Angeles communities - especially low-
income communities and communities of color - • Limit investments in the installation, do not have access to fast, affordable, and reliable expansion, or upgrading of internet broadband. service infrastructure within specific
geographic areas.
Research shows that Los Angeles County's Digital • Limit broadband availability or Divide is rooted in part in widespread adoption in specific areas. For example, underinvestment in broadband infrastructure in redlining could include pricing practices low-income communities and communities of that make broadband less affordable or color, resulting in limited access to quality internet marketing practices that under-promote options with high speeds at reasonable costs. broadband services. • Limit broadband access, impact service
This pattern of disinvestment is called "digital quality, and make broadband services redlining." less affordable to specific communities.
Why "Redlining"?
In the 1930s, The Home Owners' Loan Boyle Heights was designated "hazardous," Corporation (HOLC) created "Residential on the basis of its 50% "foreign families," Security" maps of major American cities. These including "Russian, Polish, Armenian, Jews, maps were used by loan officers, appraisers, Slavs, Greeks, American Mexicans, Japanese, and real estate professionals to drive lending and Italians," and "subversive racial elements decisions. Neighborhoods considered high-risk increasing." or "hazardous" - the lowest score on the maps -
were often "redlined" by banks, which simply Jefferson and Arlington Park were also refused to offer mortgage loans for properties designated "hazardous," thanks to 20% in those areas. Redlining was explicitly race- "foreign families" and 45% "Negros," noting, driven. "Negroes and Japanese increasingly numerous."
Areas that were designated as "hazardous" or Meanwhile, Beverly Hills' "desirable" "declining" received that designation because designation is credited to its 0% "foreign they were "infiltrated" with "undesirable families," and 0% "Negroes." 2 populations."
1 Reply Comments of the Public Advocates Office on the May 28, 2021 Administration Law Judge Ruling, Rulemaking_20-01-001 of the California Public Utilities Commission, pl
2 See "Mapping Inequality: Redlining in New Deal America" for interactive HOLC maps and scans of original area descriptions.
San Gabriel was saddled with a "hazardous" While this type of neighborhood classification is designation despite its 0% Negro" no longer legal thanks to the Fair Housing Act of population with this jaw-dropping explanation: 1968, the effects of this racially- driven disinvestment are readily apparent today.
"The vast majority of the population, while
American-born, are still "peon Mexicans", and The City of Los Angeles Civil + Human Rights and constitute a distinctly subversive racial Equity Department produced maps comparing influence. ... This area is considered a menace to HOLĆ redlined communities and a range of this whole section and pressure is being exerted to present-day indicators, including broadband confine the population and keep it from infiltrating adoption rates. The results are striking. into other districts."
Score Percentile
0 25 50 75 100
Less More
Healthy Conditions
No Data Avallable
East Pasaden
San Marino
North BI M
Som Sin Cabi
> 25%
A "Best"
B "Still Desirable" 15%
C "Declining"
alos Verdes Estat
< 5%
D "Hazardous" 0 Eng Beach
Roling HI
Source: 2019 ACS 5yr Public Health Alliar
1939 HOLC Redlining Map 2019% Households with no Internet 2018 Healthy Places Index The Los Angeles County's Internal Services Department documented the persistent connection between race, income, and lack of access in three maps:
% of households without internet access median household income predominant race by census tract 10% of less idental or No Dat $50,001 - $75,000 | I $75,001 - $150,000 ASS 00-6700001
California
Digital Redlining Primer, p2
COMMUNITY
Foundation www.calfund.org/digital-equity-initiative
"Redlining practices produce differential
outcomes related to broadband The data is exceedingly
clear: the outcomes of
availability and affordability for different digital redlining are wildly communities, regardless of whether inequitable for low-income communities and
those outcomes are the product of communities of color across discriminatory intent." Los Angeles.
-CPUC Public Advocates Office
The Evidence for Digital Redlining
Beyond the clear outcomes of redlining, Dr. Galperin found that between 2014 and 2017, multiple investigations have found and the whiter, wealthier communities in Glendale documented clear evidence that ISPs are went from about 50% of areas with at least two underinvesting in low-income communities of options to 100% choice, and about 60% of color. Glendale was upgraded to fiber.
USC Professor Hernan Galperin published a Meanwhile, the same data showed that the study utilizing the ISP's own data (self-reported predominantly Black and Latino communities of as required to the Federal Communications South LA, Watts, and Compton saw no increase Commission) to document underinvestment as in competition, and remained left behind measured by competition and upgraded fiber entirely from fiber upgrades: they had no fiber infrastructure in two demographically different infrastructure in 2014, and still had none in areas of Los Angeles. 20174
Figure 9: Broadband competition and fiber availability in South LA vs Glendale (2014 and 2017). 2014 2017 2014 2017
South LA, Watts, Compton South LA, Watts, Compton
Glendale Glendale
Fiber not available Fiber available
No broadband competition Broadband competition
Source: www.tinyurl.com/DigitalDivideLA
3 Reply Comments of the Public Advocates Office on the May 28, 2021 Administration Law Judge Ruling, Rulemaking 20-01-001 of the California Public Utilities Commission, p8
4 Who Gets Access to Fast Broadband? Evidence from Los Angeles County 2014-17 California Digital Redlining Primer, p3
COMMUNITY
Foundation www.calfund.org/digital-equity-initiative
UC Berkeley's Haas Institute for a Fair and Inclusive Chart 1. California State Society published a detailed analysis of AT&T's fiber
deployment, again using data provided by AT&T to the $94,208 FCC as well as their advertised rates and services. The $67,021
analysis "reveals disturbing trends that will
$53,186
exacerbate the digital divide in California. First,
AT&T's initial fiber-to-the-home deployment is
disproportionately focused on high- income
communities. Second, AT&T has left too many
DSL U-Verse Fiber to the Home
Californians stuck in the slow lane on the
information highway, unable to participate fully in
the expanding digital economy. Despite its large size Chart 2. Los Angeles County and profitability, AT&T has fallen short of providing
$110,464
equitable access to high-speed broadband in California."S The study found that the concentration of broadband $60,534 $47,894
investment in wealthy communities was worst in Los
Angeles County, where the median household income
for households benefiting from fiber-to- the-home
DSL U-Verse Fiber to the Home
upgrades was nearly double that of the households left
in the slow lane by AT&T.
ISP Response: Deny and Deflect
In official filings in response to the CPUC's inquiry The ISPs and the Associations representing their into redlining, ISPs deny and deflect without interests also claim that:
specifically countering any of the research that
clearly documents redlining practices. Moreover, • 95% of California households have access to they actively discourage the Commission from broadband, based on data they report to the thoroughly investigating the issue: FCC that counts an entire area as "served" if a single address (which doesn't have to be a
• AT&T: "The Ruling's use of the highly-charged home or business) in it has access. Notably, this term "redlining" - which has historically implied data is widely acknowledged to be problematic, intentional discrimination - is not relevant to, and is currently under review at the FCC. and creates an unnecessary distraction from, • There is no meaningful difference between the task at hand."6 wireless and wired (fiber or cable) broadband • Comcast: "...Redlining is not a systemic problem service, and that households with lower-income in California, and it would not be productive or families of color do not have wired broadband realistic for the Commission to embark on a subscriptions because they prefer not to have formal "investigation" of this topic." the same fast and reliable service their • California Cable and Telecommunications wealthier, whiter neighbors enjoy!° Surveys Association (CCTA): "...the Commission should clearly demonstrate this is not the case: the decline to move forward with an unneeded and large majority of households without undefined investigation into baseless broadband subscriptions at home say the allegations of systemic "digital redlining" reason is there is not an affordable option. practices."8
5 AT&T's Digital Divide in California, p4
6 OPENING COMMENTS OF AT&T CALIFORNIA (U 1001 C) ON THE FIRST AMENDED SCOPING MEMO AND RULING 7 REPLY COMMENTS OF COMCAST PHONE OF CALIFORNIA, LLC (U-5698-C) ON ASSIGNED ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE'S RULING 8 REPLY COMMENTS OF THE CALIFORNIA CABLE AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATION 9 CNET: Millions of Americans can't get broadband because of a faulty FCC map. There's a fix.
OCTIA COMMENTS ON THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE'S EMAIL RULING ORDERING ADDITIONAL COMMENTS ON MIDDLE-MILE DATA
COLLECTION
California
COMMUNITY Digital Redlining Primer, p4
Foundation
www.calfund.org/digital-equity-initiative
Quick Facts: the Digital Divide in Senate District 29
According to data provided by Internet Service
ninomi 159 Uca
Providers to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), 2,658 households in Senate District 29 have
no internet access at modern speeds of 100 Mbps
download and 20 Mbps upload (100/20).
Why does 100/20 matter?
• It's the standard set in 2021 and 2022 legislation signed by the Governor and being implemented at the CPUC.
• A process is underway at the FCC to update the national standard from 25/3 to 100/20 because, according to FCC Chair
Rosenworcel, "The 25/3 metric isn't just behind the times, it's a harmful one because it masks the extent to which low-income neighborhoods and rural communities are being left behind and left offline."
Snapshot: Disconnected in SD 29
• In Rialto, as many as 60% of the households in a census tract lack broadband with 100 mbps download speeds.
• In Colton, as many as 40% of households in 7 census tracts do not have broadband with 100 mbps download speeds.
• In Fontana, as many as 60% of the households in 3 census tracts lack broadband with 100 mbps download speeds.
The percentage of the population with access to broadband internet as surveyed by the US Census American Community Survey. Statewide, even as 100%7
access at the slowest
speeds has increased
85%-
for everyone, the gap
- Less than $25k
- $25k-$50k in access between
•- $50k-$100k
70%- - More than $100k poor and wealthy
Californians persists,
largely unchanged in 20
55%
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Year years.
California
COMMUNITY DIGITAL EQUITY
,CADE
Foundation
LOS ANGELES
ralfind. orp/dipital-enuitv-initiative dioitalenuitvla.org rade. nexteennalirv.org Pricing Disparities: Slower, More Expensive Internet For Some San Bernardino Case Study: about 1.5 miles apart,
$30 per month difference in advertised rates for the same service Rosa Maria's Drive In
• 5 min
Up to 500 Mbps 2.3 miles
rom
INTERNET ULTRA
99/md
• Turbocharged Internet with NO data caps $3999
• Complete control over your Spectrum Wift network with Advanced WiFi • Eligible for Spectrum One savings. See details ADD OFFER 39th StE
574 East Parkdale Drive O
Arrowhead Country Club Harriso Foothill DrE
NEI
DEL ROSA
NENA Up to 500 Mbps
INTERNET ULTRA
W 34th St E 34th St • Turbocharged Internet with NO data caps $6999
SHANDIN HILLS
• Complete control aver your Spectrum WiFt network with Advanced WIFI • Eligible for Spectrum One savings. See details
N Mountain View Avel
. O3150 Del Rey Drive
(18) UNIVERSITY
W 30th St ELynwood Dr
E 30th St DISTRICT
210) (210)
E St
N Water
(259) HI - 30
Two Studies Documenting Troubling Disparities in Advertised Prices A8 VIIDAY, OCOER 14, 2022 Los Angeles Times California Community Foundation + BUSINESS Digital Equity LA:
Study finds inequity in internet charges Clear patterns of Charter/Spectrum Wealthy coclaves in advertising lower prices and better LA County cooy
loact prices than
poor oncs, report sy
terms and conditions in wealthy
neighborhoods.
The Markup (copublished with the
The Markup Associated Press):
Clear patterns of AT&T, Verizon,
Dollars to Megabits, You May Be Paying Centurylink, and Earthlink advertising 400 Times As Much As Your Neighbor for
the same rate for much slower speeds
Internet Service
This article is copublished with
in higher poverty, less white
By Leon Yin and Aaron Sankin AP
October 19, 2022 06:51 ET
communities.
California
COMMUNITY DIGITAL EQUITY CADE
Quick Facts: the Digital Divide in Assembly District 56 According to data provided by Internet Service chonio runom 19q 0A Providers to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), 2,238 households in Assembly District 56
have no internet access at modern speeds of 100
Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload (100/20).
Why does 100/20 matter?
• It's the standard set in 2021 and 2022 legislation signed by the Governor and being implemented at the CPUC.
• A process is underway at the FCC to update the national standard from 25/3 to 100/20 because, according to FCC Chair
Rosenworcel, "The 25/3 metric isn't just behind the times, it's a harmful one because it masks the extent to which low-income neighborhoods and rural communities are being left behind and left offline."
Snapshot: Disconnected in AD 56
A In Pico Rivera, Hacienda Heights, and La Puente, as many as 40% of the households in 4 census tracts lack broadband with 100 mbps download speeds.
A In Whittier, as many as 40% of the households in 6 census tracts do not have broadband with 100 mbps download speeds.
* In South El Monte, as many as 60% of households in a census tract lack broadband with 100 mbps download speeds.
The percentage of the population with access to broadband internet as surveyed by the US Census American Community Survey. Statewide, even as 100% 1
access at the slowest
speeds has increased
85%-
for everyone, the gap
- Less than $25k
• $25k-$50k in access between
- $50k-$100k
70%- - More than $100k poor and wealthy
Californians persists,
largely unchanged in 20
55%
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
2010
Year years.
California
COMMUNITY DIGITAL EQUITY
,CADE
Foundation
LOS ANGELES
ralfind org/dipital-enuitv-initiative dipitalenuitvla.org rade nextpennolirv.org Pricing Disparities: Slower, More Expensive Internet For Some South El Monte/La Puente Case Study: about 6.5 miles apart, $40 per month difference in advertised rates for the same service Baldwin Park
El Monte DMV Ave
Rosemead NOrance Ave
Valley Blvd Pacific Ave
NORMS Ramona Bivd
Target Northgate Market
Walmart Supercenter
9 16 min Plaza West Cos
6,6 miles
STERNET ULTRA
'69"* Kaiser Permanente West C
Baldwin Pk Medical Ctr
ente Ave
ADD OFTER
rvey Ave Garvey Ave
Valley Biva! S Sunset Ave Californi
18 min West Puente
9858 Klingerman Street O 6.3 miles 505 Valley
South El BASSETT
Walmart Supercenter Rush St
Monte
In
Puente Ave ©727 Sandsprings Drive
(G0 INTERNET ULTRA
molesale - 16 mil $29"
Whittier
7.6 miles
Narrows
• 555/mo savings included for 24 mo
Recreation Peck ADD OFFER
164)
Area
Pico Rivera Sports Arena Tepeyac Restaurant Julian Rd Industry Rio Hondo S 7th Ave Course - [
& Tequila Sports Bar (60
College
City of
Industry
Two Studies Documenting Troubling Disparities in Advertised Prices A8 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2022 Cos Angeles Gimes California Community Foundation + BUSINESS Digital Equity LA:
Study finds inequity in internet charges Clear patterns of Charter/Spectrum Wealthy enclaves in
LA. County cajoy advertising lower prices and better
loser priccs than
poor ones, report sys
terms and conditions in wealthy
neighborhoods.
The Markup (copublished with the
The Markup Associated Press):
Clear patterns of AT&T, Verizon,
Dollars to Megabits, You May Be Paying Centurylink, and Earthlink advertising 400 Times As Much As Your Neighbor for
the same rate for much slower speeds
Internet Service
heartleranhichanth
AP in higher poverty, less white
By Leon Yin and Aaron Sankin
October 19, 2022 06:51 ET
communities.
California
COMMUNITY DIGITAL EQUITY CADE
Quick Facts: the Digital Divide in Senate District 30
According to data provided by Internet Service eulinMolledenoM Providers to the California Public Utilities Commission ateilib dinom 19g GAg (CPUC), 5,391 households in Senate District 30
have no internet access at modern speeds of 100
Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload (100/20).
Why does 100/20 matter?
• It's the standard set in 2021 and 2022 legislation signed by the Governor and being implemented at the CPUC.
• A process is underway at the FCC to update the national standard from 25/3 to 100/20 because, according to FCC Chair Rosenworcel, "The 25/3 metric isn't just behind the times, it's a harmful one because it masks the extent to which low-income neighborhoods and rural communities are being left behind and left offline."
Snapshot: Disconnected in SD 30
- In Bellflower, as many as 40% of the households in half of the census tracts in the city lack broadband with 100 mbps download speeds. * In Montebello, as many as 60% of households in three census tracts do not have broadband with 100 mbps download speeds, and there is a census tract where no households have broadband at those same speeds. / In Pico Rivera, there are three census tracts in which up to 40% of households lack broadband with 100 mbps download speeds.
The percentage of the population with access to broadband internet as surveyed by the US Census American Community Survey.
Statewide, even as
100% 1
access at the slowest
speeds has increased
85%-
for everyone, the gap
- Less than $25k
- $25k-$50k in access between
•- $50k-$100k
70%- - More than $100k poor and wealthy
Californians persists,
largely unchanged in 20
55%
2010| 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Year
years.
California
COMMUNITY DIGITAL EQUITY
*CADE
Foundation
LOS ANGELES
ralfund.orp/dioital-enuitv-initiative disitaleauitvla.org rade nextrennoliv.or Pricing Disparities: Slower, More Expensive Internet For Some Montebello/Whittier Case Study: about 8 miles apart,
$40 per month difference in advertised rates for the same service Barnyard Zoo Rose Hills
320 North 12th Street O
- Mortuary
Citadol Outlete O
INTERNET ULTRA
69"-
Shite savings included for mel
6 Business Center
smiles 50 min Turnbull
ood EL RANCHO Canyon
Pico Rivera
Whittier
T 2 hr 48 min
8.3 miles
Dennis the Arro
Bell Gardens Pesca
Menace Park
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INTERNET ULTRA
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Park Downey 19)
© 13444 Lakeland Road
Apollo Park
Two Studies Documenting Troubling Disparities in Advertised Prices A8 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1. 1022 Los Angeles Times California Community Foundation + BUSINESS Digital Equity LA:
Study finds inequity in internet charges Clear patterns of Charter/Spectrum LA. County enjoy advertising lower prices and better
lower prices than
poor ones, report says
terms and conditions in wealthy
neighborhoods.
The Markup (copublished with the
The Markup Associated Press):
Clear patterns of AT&T, Verizon,
Dollars to Megabits, You May Be Paying Centurylink, and Earthlink advertising 400 Times As Much As Your Neighbor for
the same rate for much slower speeds
Internet Service
AP in higher poverty, less white
By Leon Yin and Aaron Sankin
October 19, 2022 06:51 ET
communities.
California
COMMUNITY DIGITAL EQUITY CADE
City of Alhambra
Office of the Mayor and City Council
May 8, 2023
Supervisor Hilda Solis
856 Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration
500 West Temple Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Gateway
to the
San Gabriel Valley RE: Digital Equity - Support for Action Dear Supervisor Solis,
South First Street On behalf of the City of Alhambra, we write to share our frustration and Alhambra
concern that Los Angeles County's Digital Divide is rooted in part in California
91801 widespread underinvestment in broadband infrastructure in low-income communities and communities of color, resulting in limited access to quality internet options with high speeds at reasonable costs.
626 The Digital Equity LA Coalition supported by the California Community 570-5010
Foundation Digital Equity Initiative documented what people were paying for home internet in diverse neighborhoods across Los Angeles County. The FAX findings raised significant red flags about the higher prices many in poorer 281-2248
communities were being charged for the same or inferior service, and the implications of those pricing disparities on the effectiveness of current interventions to close the digital divide. Cost was far and away the most consistent reason provided by families without high- speed internet for why they were disconnected.
Considering the wide-ranging impacts on the digital divide on our residents' ability to thrive and the disconcerting evidence in this report by the California Community Foundation - Digital Equity Los Angeles - Slower and More Expensive, Sounding the Alarm: Disparities in Advertised Pricing for Fast, Reliable Broadband, we ask for you to lead a call to action to:
• Investigate and validate findings of potentially discriminatory disparities in advertised pricing.
• Make equal access (Equal service at equal price, terms, and conditions) and truth in advertising the policy of the State of California.
Build equal access into State, County, Local procurement practices.
• Support independent, community - driven options for broadband services.
PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER
In addition, we encourage you to collaborate with the other supervisorial districts to deliver a five-signature letter to the California Public Utilities Commission asking them to use their authority to investigate the findings in this report as it impacts California consumers.
Sincerely,
Adele Andrade Stadhr
Adele Andrade-Stadler, Mayor Ross J. Maza,
Arita La
Sasha Renee Pérez, uncilmember Katherine Lee, Councilmember Jeffrey K. Maloney, Councilmember