Improving the lives and livelihoods of communities large and small. Director of the Governor's Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation @CAL_LCI.
California
Joined January 2012
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Samuel Assefa retweeted
๐
Save the Date!โฏ
Join us October 20โ22, 2026, for the Resilient California Summit at the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center in Sacramento!
This three-day summit will bring together Californiaโs climate adaptation and resilience leaders to share innovative solutions, emerging research, and best practices that are shaping a more resilient future for our communities.โฏ
Attendees will include representatives from:
๐๏ธ Local and state government
๐ชถ Tribal partners
๐๏ธ Community organizations
โก Utilities
๐ข Private firms
๐ Academia
Sessions will highlight:
๐ฌ New findings from Californiaโs Fifth Climate Change Assessment
๐๏ธ Innovative resilience projects from across the state
๐ฏ Discussions on long-range climate adaptation goals and strategies
The Summit is being organized by the Governorโs Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation, Climate Resolve @ClimateResolve, and Farallon Strategies @FaraStrat, with core support from The David and Lucile Packard Foundation @PackardFdn, Resources Legacy Fund @ResourcesLF, and Resilient Cities Catalyst.
๐ Learn more at resilientcaliforniasummit.orโฆ
#ResilientCalifornia #ClimateResilienceโฏ #CaliforniaClimate #CaliforniaForAll
Samuel Assefa retweeted
Developed under the Medemer Government, Friendship Park is a vibrant hub where families, creators, and visitors converge. It has generated nearly 1 Billion Birr in just 4 years. Beyond the numbers, itโs a sanctuary for health, recreation, and community.
It is the ultimate blueprint for Addis Ababaโs future: spaces that create opportunity, generate value, and, above all, belong to everyone.
Samuel Assefa retweeted
For decades, Fellowship Chapel has been a pillar of Detroit โ a place where faith has matched action.
Under Reverend Dr. Wendell Anthonyโs leadership, this congregation has carried forward the tradition of civil rights advocacy and community empowerment.
Honored to worship with this extraordinary congregation today, and grateful for the warm welcome.
Grammys zeitgeist moments: โNo one is illegal on a stolen landโ Billie Eilish. phrase rooted in Indigenous activismand โICE Out. Weโre not savages, weโre not animals, weโre not aliens, weโre human and weโre Americans. The only thing more powerful than hate is love.โ, Bad Bunny.
Samuel Assefa retweeted
โญ Today, Governor Newsom delivered his final State of the State address โ a moment to reflect on how far California has come, and the work ahead.
Across LCI, the California Strategic Growth Council and the California Racial Equity Commission weโve seen firsthand how leadership paired with community partnerships can turn crisis into resilience โ from wildfire recovery to housing affordability to long-term climate planning.
โก๏ธ Read Director @samassefa reflections on the Governorโs legacy and what it means for the communities we serve: lci.ca.gov/news/2026/01-08.hโฆ
#CaliforniaForAll #WhoDoYouStandFor
Samuel Assefa retweeted
โญ๏ธThe opening of Cypress View shows whatโs possible when housing, transit, climate, and community priorities move forward together.
Through @CalSGC programs โ and with leadership from Chair @samassefa โ state investments are helping communities like Watts rebuild public housing into vibrant, mixed-income neighborhoods with access to transit, schools, health care, and green space.
This is California at its best: collaboration, partnership, and results!
๐
๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ ๐ฉ๐ฎ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ ๐ก๐จ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ฉ๐จ๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ โ ๐๐ฒ๐ฉ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐๐ข๐๐ฐ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐จ๐๐๐ข๐๐ข๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐จ๐ฉ๐๐ง ๐ข๐ง ๐๐๐ญ๐ญ๐ฌ! ๐ฑ๐๏ธ
Cypress View is the latest affordable housing community to open within the $1B redevelopment of the Jordan Downs public housing complex in Watts.
Cypress View includes ๐๐๐ ๐ง๐๐ฐ ๐๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐ญ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ฌ โ including ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐จ๐ซ๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ ๐ฎ๐ง๐ข๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ฌ ๐๐๐ซ๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐โ๐๐% ๐จ๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐๐ข๐๐ง ๐ข๐ง๐๐จ๐ฆ๐.
This is more than housing โ itโs a decade-long reinvestment in the people of Watts.
๐ก 1,400 planned homes
๐ณ New parks + community spaces
๐ถโโ๏ธ Walkable streets with jobs, services, and transit nearby
๐ A neighborhood shaped by residents, partners, and local leadership
Through five Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) awards totaling $77M, the Jordan Downs project has helped build 545 affordable homes, supported walking and transit improvements, and created new public amenities.
And with a $35M Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) investment (Watts Rising), the communityโs vision is becoming reality โ block by block.
Jordan Downs is now one of the largest public housing redevelopments in the nation, powered by partnership between residents, @BRIDGEhousing, @HACLA1938, the @LACity, and the State of California.
We are proud to collaborate on this new chapter for Watts โ built with and for the community. ๐
@KarenBassLA @samassefa
#WattsRising #AHSC #TCC #AffordableHousing #CommunityDriven #CaliforniaForAll
Samuel Assefa retweeted
๐๐ From playgrounds and parks to transit access and a paid summer trades program for teens, ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐พ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐.
This week, state and local partners joined residents, Mayor @KarenBassLA, @HACLA1938 and @BRIDGEhousing to celebrate the grand opening of Cypress View, 119 new affordable homes located in the $1B redevelopment of Jordan Downs Californiaโs investments through SGCโs Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) Program and Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) helped turn this community vision into reality:
โ๏ธ Safe, modern homes
โ๏ธ New green spaces + community facilities
โ๏ธ Safer walking + biking
โ๏ธ Transit, EV chargers & discounted passes
โ๏ธ Local jobs + Section 3 hiring
โThis is more than housing โ itโs community, resilience, opportunity and pride,โ said SGC Chair & @Cal_LCI Director @samassefa.
๐ Congratulations to Watts residents โ especially longtime families moving into Cypress View โ and to every partner who made this milestone possible.
๐ข Dive into the full story online today: sgc.ca.gov/newsroom/press-reโฆ
The AHSC and TCC programs utilized for Jordan Downs are part of @CAClimateInvest
California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts billions of Cap-and-Invest, formerly known as Cap-and-Trade, dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment โ particularly in disadvantaged communities.
#WattsRising #CypressView #JordanDowns #BuildMoreFaster #AffordableHousing #CaliforniaForAll
Samuel Assefa retweeted
Ethiopia proves that development isnโt about oil or gold, but about clear vision. Addis Ababa is moving forward, modernizing, and inspiring.
Samuel Assefa retweeted
As California approaches the 100th anniversary of Black History Month, @CAgovernor Newsom announced free entry to more than 200 @CAStateParks on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This Jan. 19, Californians are welcomed to get outside and honor Dr. Kingโs legacy of justice and equality.
Free vehicle day-use entry is available for one passenger vehicle or motorcycle at participating parks. Some locations and special tours may still require a fee.
Learn more at parks.ca.gov/?page_id=31769
Samuel Assefa retweeted
โTalent development is as vital as physical infrastructure.โ
PM Abiy Ahmed (PhD)
A powerful reminder that people are the true foundation of #DigitalEthiopia2030 ๐ช๐น๐ก
Samuel Assefa retweeted
โจ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐จ๐ง๐๐ฌ & ๐๐ฎ๐๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐๐ฌ | ๐๐ฎ๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ข๐๐จ๐ซ๐ง๐ข๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐ฅ๐ฅ โจย
From climate-resilient infrastructure to community-driven planning, 2025 was a powerful year of progress across LCI, SGC, and the California Racial Equity Commission. Together, we connected land use, innovation, and equity to help every community thrive.ย
ย ย
๐บ๏ธ We launched tools like the Vulnerable Communities Platform and CalHeatScore, helping Californians understand and prepare for climate risks.
๐ฅ Through the Extreme Heat Program, $32M went to community-led cooling and resilience projects statewide.
๐ชถ We continued strengthening Tribal capacity-building efforts, expanding grant assistance, funding access, and partnerships that support Tribal self-determination and climate leadership.
โ๏ธ The California Racial Equity Commission advanced Californiaโs first-ever Racial Equity Framework, centering justice, belonging, and accountability.
๐๏ธ SGC surpassed $๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ invested in affordable housing, clean transportation, climate resilience, and people-powered solutions.
๐ From local neighborhoods to the global stage, partnerships strengthened climate resilience at every scale.
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Thank you to our state, local, Tribal, and international partners โ this progress is only possible because of you. ๐ย โจโก๏ธ Learn more in our Part 1 Newsletter: conta.cc/4asoUDv
ย
#CaliforniaForAll #BuiltToLast #LCI55 #SGC #TheCommission
Samuel Assefa retweeted
๐๏ธ Small Business Saturday is more than shopping locally โ itโs a reminder that small businesses are essential partners in building a resilient and equitable California.
From family-owned translation services and community-based media outlets to local planners, engineers, and small contractors โ small and diverse businesses help shape the climate, housing, and equity solutions that power our state.
By working with small businesses, the state:
๐ค Builds trust with communities
๐ผ Supports local jobs and economic mobility
๐ฑ Strengthens climate resilience with culturally grounded expertise
๐ฃ Expands language access and inclusive communication
At the Governorโs Office of Land Use & Climate Innovation (LCI), the California Strategic Growth Council (SGC), and the California Racial Equity Commission (the Commission), weโre committed to uplifting small businesses through partnerships, contracts, and community-led work. Because a California for All must invest in the people and businesses rooted in our neighborhoods.
๐ Today and every day, we are grateful for the local innovators building solutions โ big and small โ across our state.
#SmallBusinessSaturday #ShopSmall #CaliforniaForAll ๐ผ๐
Samuel Assefa retweeted
๐ป๐ Today is Computer Security Day โ a reminder to protect your data, devices, and the communities we serve.
Behind every policy, grant program, and community partnership, thereโs a network of safeguards that protect sensitive information and maintain public trust.
At the Governorโs Office of Land Use & Climate Innovation (LCI), alongside the California Strategic Growth Council (SGC) and the California Racial Equity Commission (the Commission), our work depends on the secure systems that keep data safe โ from grant applications to project dashboards, community engagement records, geospatial climate tools, and language access services.
๐ A special thank you to our IT team, who:
๐ Monitor risks and protect our systems
๐ก๏ธ Ensure secure access to government data
๐ค Support staff and partners across programs
๐ฑ Helps advance climate and equity work without compromising security
Because building a California for All requires protecting the people and information that make it possible. Trust is resilience, too. ๐
#ComputerSecurityDay #ThankYouIT ๐ปโจ
ALT Title Computer Security Day. Three decorative logos and a computer graphic. One photo. Group of people smiling with sub-header LCI's IT Team at the California State Capitol.
Samuel Assefa retweeted
๐ Happy Halloween from the Governorโs Office of Land Use & Climate Innovation!
Our Director, @samassefa, is channeling his inner Captain Resilience Builderโand when it comes to building a resilient, sustainable California, teamwork is his superpower! ๐ช๐พ๐
From climate adaptation to affordable housing, every partnership helps us create a California for All.
๐ป #SpiritOfHalloween #ClimateResilience #CaliforniaForAll #TeamLCI
Samuel Assefa retweeted
๐ฐ๐ช๐ซฑ๐พโ๐ซฒ๐ฟ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ฎ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ง ๐๐ฅ๐จ๐๐๐ฅ ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ฆ๐๐ญ๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐ญ๐ง๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ฉ๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐
Representing Californiaโs leadership, LCI Director @samassefa joins @ucdavis faculty and global affairs leaders in Kenya โ advancing the 2025 CaliforniaโKenya Climate MOU signed by @CAgovernor Gavin Newsom and President William Ruto. ๐โจ
This visit builds on Californiaโs partnerships across climate, agriculture, transportation, and innovation โ continuing Governor Newsomโs call for global collaboration on climate solutions.
๐ก A major milestone: planning the launch of Africaโs first Center of Excellence for Sustainable Transport in Nairobi, co-led by UC Davis Global South Center for Clean Transportation and Kenyan partners โ driving low-carbon, resilient mobility solutions across the continent.
California and Kenya stand united in turning research into real-world climate action โ empowering communities, innovators, and the next generation of leaders. ๐ฟ๐ค
Read the full article here: ucdavis.edu/news/chancellor-โฆ
#GlobalPartnerships #AfricaMOU #CleanMobility #LCI #UCDAvis #Kenya
Samuel Assefa retweeted
I just signed bipartisan laws to lower Californians' electricity costs, stabilize our gas supply, and provide a stable funding source for @CaHSRA's high-speed rail.
Millions of Californians will soon start saving billions on their energy costs, and the savings donโt stop there.
Samuel Assefa retweeted
๐ Californiaโs international innovation exchange continues in the Netherlands!
๐๏ธ As California looks ahead to hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup, 2026 & 2027 Super Bowls, and the 2028 Olympic & Paralympic Games, LCI director @samassefa and fellow California delegates are on the ground in the Netherlands, learning additional ways the state can build on our work to hold major international events with environmental sustainability at their core.
๐๏ธ Today delegates visited Seinwezen in Haarlem, before heading to the Zandvoort Formula 1 Racing Circuitโan iconic venue known for integrating sustainability into one of the worldโs most high-energy sports. Guests had the opportunity to witness the first practice session of the Dutch Grand Prix, gaining firsthand insight into the logistics and environmental considerations involved in hosting tens of thousands of attendees.
๐ The delegation was also given an exclusive look behind the scenes of event planning. Hearing presentations from NLA - LA28 and the Operation Mobility Center, which offered valuable lessons for future global events in California.
โป๏ธ Throughout the day, delegates also discussed and reflected on what it takes to make global gatherings not only spectacular, but environmentally responsible.
๐The key takeaway: From arrival to closing ceremony, sustainability must be at the core of our planning!
#GlobalClimateAction #Sustainability #CaliforniaInnovation #ClimateLeadership #GreenFuture
Samuel Assefa retweeted
๐ผ Today, @CAgovernor Newsom and the @CAJobsFirst Collaborative awarded $80 million across 18 counties to fund ready-to-go projects designed to drive sustainable and equitable economic growth. Included in todayโs funding is nearly $17 million to a coalition led by REACH Central Coast for aerospace and defense projects, including about $7.5 million for the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership (@MBEPartnership ) to develop a regional Advanced Air Mobility corridor between four public airports.
โ๏ธ This announcement comes as LCI director @samassefa and fellow Californian delegatesโincluding Monterey Bay Drone, Automation, and Robotics Technology (DART), part of the MBEP team awarded grant funds todayโare on the ground in the Netherlands, engaging with international leaders on clean air mobility and sustainable transportation.
๐ While visiting the Netherlandsโone of the worldโs leaders in innovative transitโguests are exchanging ideas that will help shape the future of mobility in California and beyond.
๐ฑ As we look toward a future of environmental sustainability, weโre building the infrastructure and partnerships necessary for a cleaner, more connected California.
๐ Read the full release: gov.ca.gov/2025/08/29/califoโฆ
#CaliforniaJobsFirst #SustainableFuture #FutureOfMobility #CleanAirMobility #ConnectedCalifornia
