** This episode was recorded in December 2020 **

We’re almost a full year into the COVID-19 crisis and so many individuals and businesses are months behind in their rent due to the effects of the pandemic. In this episode, Tunua sits down with 3 experts to chat about the timely topic of cancelling the rent and what steps we can take to work to provide rent relief to those in need.

Joining LISC LA for this conversation are:

• Tom DeSimone, CEO and President of Genesis LA
  
• Tak Suzuki, the Director of Community and Economic Development at the Little Tokyo Center
  
• Rudy Espinoza, Executive Director of Inclusive Action for the City

In this episode we explore:

• {2:27} How we can support local tenants and landlords during this challenging time
  
• {5:50} The importance of thinking outside of the box through 2021 and beyond
  
• {6:59} What cancelling the rent actually means and how we can work together to provide rent relief
  
• {8:20} What our next steps should look like going forward
  

About our panel:

Tom DeSimone, CEO and President of Genesis LA. Genesis LA’s mission is to deliver financial solutions that advance economic and social opportunities in underserved communities. As President and CEO, Tom brings years experience to funding and implementing capital resources for work on much needed local community development.

Director of Community Economic Development of the Little Tokyo Service Center, Tak Suzuki. Tak is a veteran at the The Little Tokyo Service Center having spent 20 years serving the Little Tokyo community. Through his work at the LTSC he helps provide social services and community development focused on improving the lives of local individuals and families.

Rudy Espinoza is the Executive Director of Inclusive Action for the City, a leader in local community development with extensive experience in the field. At Inclusive Action, he leads the organization as they work to bring people together to build strong, local economies that uplift low-income urban communities through advocacy and transformative economic development initiatives