Our Story
In 2017, the Eastside Café in El Sereno faced the threat of displacement when the landlord agreed to sell the Maycrest Building to a developer. The community rallied together, successfully convincing the developer to halt the sale and allow the residents to purchase the building instead. Within just 10 days, the greater Los Angeles community raised nearly $180,000 to secure the Maycrest Building and protect the tenants from displacement.
To combat the ongoing challenges of real estate speculation in El Sereno, the Eastside Café co-founded the El Sereno Community Land Trust. This initiative aims to acquire and manage properties for the benefit of the community, ensuring they are held in trust for future generations. The Land Trust has engaged the Tongva people, the original inhabitants of El Sereno, to guide its mission and leadership.
As the Covid-19 pandemic unfolded, the El Sereno Community Land Trust emerged as a community-led institution dedicated to acquiring and preserving open land, distressed properties, and affordable housing. Today, the Land Trust proudly holds three locations, including a storefront at the Maycrest Building, the ‘Ooxor ‘Aweeshko Community Garden, and an 8-unit apartment building as part of a pilot program with the Los Angeles CLT Coalition.