For 32 years, the Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC) has been driving the economic and social advancement of low-middle-income Latinos and other underserved communities in the Washington D.C. area and Puerto Rico. By educating individuals and fostering community collaboration, LEDC uses direct assistance and empowers people to advocate for themselves in issues relating to housing, small business, and direct community investment.  

This April, we had the privilege of speaking with Emi Reyes, the Executive Director of the Latino Economic Development Center. Originally from DC, she has been immersed in Latino communities and the issues they face since childhood. She also has an expansive work history in organizing and advocacy. To honor National Fair Housing Month, we mostly spoke with Emi about the housing work LEDC is doing in the community.

LEDC’s programs have become more important as housing policies in D.C. have made affordable and stable housing less feasible. Rent controlled apartments are experiencing the largest single year cost increase in the history of affordable housing programming in D.C. Furthermore, Mayor Muriel Bowser’s new D.C. budget revealed significant cuts to emergency rental assistance created during the COVID-19 Pandemic.  

According to Emi, “the most important thing we do at LEDC in housing may be educating tenants on their rights and opportunities they may not know they have.” LEDC focuses on giving people the tools they need to advocate for themselves by teaching tenants how to advocate against landlord abuses and other discriminatory policies, how to know when the Fair Housing Act is properly being enforced, and where to find additional housing funds and resources. LEDC has also helped create tenant committees and homeowner’s associations and organized rent strikes against corrupt landlords.  

Additionally, LEDC has a Housing Counseling Program that helps low-middle-income Latinos build their financial capability to purchase a home. Even though housing prices are intimidating right now, LEDC and the individuals they work with are dedicated to working towards homeownership, which is central to building generational wealth for Latino families. Emi said that homeownership “gives people a level of financial independence and control they did not previously have.” 

Housing stability is a core part of LEDC’s mission because it is so influential to other parts of a person’s life. Emi emphasized that having housing stability allows individuals to focus on health care, education, raising their level of income, and building generational wealth. Without stable housing, all other areas of an individual’s life are also less stable.  

Later this year, LEDC is launching a downpayment assistance program in Prince George’s County, Maryland in partnership with the National Fair Housing Alliance. They are also assisting in the creation of the Washington D.C. Tenant Union. LEDC is mapping out a new housing strategic plan that emphasizes maintaining housing through tough economic times. As COVID-19 funding and housing assistance dries up, LEDC is helping people figure out what is next for them in terms of education and housing programming.  

Even with the slashing of funding and some frustrating local policies, LEDC is committed to improving the financial well-being of and creating generational wealth for those they serve. LEDC will help bring communities together and ensure that tenants and other low-middle-income Latinos have the tools and leadership skills they need to advocate for themselves. 

To learn more about what LEDC does in the community, click here for their events page!