Donald Gilmore – Executive Director, CHDC 



Donald, Juneteenth celebrates African American freedom and resilience against systemic oppression. How does CHDC's mission, as a Black-founded, Black-led organization, reflect that spirit of liberation, through regional housing programs and statewide programs such as DCAP?

CHDC was founded to address the disproportionate lack of resources in underserved communities coupled with numerous systemic issues begging to be addressed. These issues produce byproducts like community blight, illegal dumping, poor infrastructure, poor lighting, predatory lending, under-resourced schools, and lack economic development investment, I can go on and on. Because the issues are so vast and many CHDC focus is on comprehensive community development, which means we have our hands in community improvement directly and indirectly by collaborating with organization and community stakeholders with local residents at the forefront. DCAP is one of these services that addresses the need for focused outreach to expand the opportunity to reach communities that have not been able to take advantage of the programs that make clean air vehicles affordable. Also providing financial capabilities services at the same time. Providing low-interest rate car loans that allows CHDC to reduce predatory lending activity in those communities.  

This June, DCAP has surpassed a momentous milestone: over 100 participants have received grants to purchase clean air vehicles. What does this achievement mean to you? 

This milestone achieved in such a brief time reinforces CHDC’s program relevance. CHDC is providing access to state programs not achieved before. Getting resources to underserved communities who have been left out is key. Exposure to opportunity is what we are doing, especially collaborating with community-based organizations, which have been extremely helpful in getting the word out.  

You've often spoken about DCAP's social and economic ripple effects. How do you see access to a clean air vehicle, especially in disadvantaged communities, opening new doors for employment, stability, and quality of life? 

DCAP puts affordable clean air vehicles in reach. This opens up affordable commuting to jobs, establishing credit that can provide a pathway to homeownership and/or affordable financing that is not predatory. CHDC does not take budgeting, disposable income and credit rating for granted in mainstream societal systems, which is why we connect financial capabilities to the program. 

Vivian Rahwanji – Chief Programs Officer 

Vivian, as CHDC celebrates its 35th anniversary and DCAP hits its 100th paid participant milestone, what are you most proud of in the program's expansion, and how does it align with CHDC's mission to serve historically underserved communities across California?

 I’m proud of how far we’ve come. As a CBO, managing a project of this magnitude is a dream especially based on the resources needed to undertake just a task. We’ve persevered to get us where we are today, from a small pilot phase in 2015 to statewide implementation is a true testament to the hard work we’ve put into the program. I’m proud of the staff and the partners who worked hard to get us where we are today. CHDC’s mission has not changed from serving low-income and disadvantaged community residents. Our passion has always been the difference we make in the lives of the people we serve. Building wealth has always been our ultimate NorthStar, either in affordable housing development, down-payments assistance for first time home buyers or creating pathways for low-income residents with challenged credit to gain credit worthiness.   

DCAP's one-on-one coaching model and fair financing partnerships are unlike any other in California. How does this equity-first approach empower families, predominantly African American households often targeted by predatory lenders, to take control of their financial futures?

Being credit worthy is one of the pathways to financial freedom. Unfortunately, African American households are not the only targets. People of color, unbanked or underbanked are often targeted by predatory lenders because they are vulnerable to such services based on where they live and availability to resources. Historically, banks have redlined certain communities as places they will not lend. This has given rise to businesses such as buy here pay here and cash cashing facilities to thrive in these communities. Our one-on-one approach to credit counseling has given us the opportunity to address some of these ills in communities of color in ensuring that residents can participant in lending opportunities with fair and favorable interest rates instead of rates that are predatory.   

At its core, DCAP doesn't just provide cars, it provides freedom. How do you see clean air vehicle access transforming lives in DACs, from reducing toxic air pollution to allowing someone to commute farther for a better job or care for their family? 

I see DCAP as creating pathways for building wealth and combating health issues such as asthma. Having a clean air vehicle could be the conduit for someone to build wealth through job security, saving money and eventually buying their first home and building equity in their home. Internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles are known to be the worst pollutants, and they are not only in disadvantaged communities. Driving through any neighborhood puts people at risk of breathing toxic fumes that could impact their lives.