About the Latino Economic Development Corporation

The Latino Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) is a community-based economic development organization. We work with Latinos and other groups that are underserved and under-represented in the decision-making processes that impact our communities. We help them navigate the formal US financial systems and manage the conditions that impact their financial stability.

This vision of a community with equitable access to wealth-creation tools drove LEDC’s founding in 1991. Formed in response to civil disturbances in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood of DC, we have worked for almost 20 years to increase the participation of Latinos and other immigrants in the opportunities that the economy of Washington, DC has to offer. 

LEDC’s bilingual staff is committed to treating all clients with respect, recognizing their individual needs, and consistently providing them with useful services. Because of this, clients can speak to people in their own language, and gain the skills, knowledge and access to capital that they need to build a better financial future for themselves and their families.

We provide services in three fields—small business development, homeownership counseling, and affordable housing preservation.

Small Business Development Services:  With our microloans, technical assistance, training, and commercial façade improvement, LEDC helps low to moderate-income business owners and entrepreneurs compete, thrive, and provide for their families and communities. 

Homeownership Counseling: LEDC helps people purchase their first home through classes, workshops, individual counseling, including credit repair and application packaging for the DC Home Purchase Assistance Program.  We accommodate clients’ individual needs to make sure they understand how to make a wise investment in a home. We also provide foreclosure housing counseling through our Foreclosure Intervention Program, which helps struggling homeowners to understand their housing options and works with lenders and our clients to negotiate the best long-term housing solution.

Affordable Housing Preservation: By organizing, educating and empowering tenants, we will prevent displacement and secure reliable, long-term, affordable housing, so that very low and low-income tenants can plan for their futures and build wealth for their families.