Most people in Los Angeles are renters. But most of their political representatives are not. With voters feeling increasingly priced out of homeownership in L.A., that’s starting to change.
Candidates who rent won a number of significant local elections in November.
Hugo Soto-Martinez added a tenant voice to the L.A. City Council when he ousted incumbent Mitch O’Farrell. Lindsey Horvath became the youngest woman — and only renter — on the L.A. County Board of Supervisors. Though he didn’t draw attention to his housing status during his campaign, 32-year-old renter Kenneth Mejia won his race for L.A. City Controller.
Housing policy experts say the number of renters in office remains small for now, but it’s likely to grow in future elections as housing costs rise.
“There’s a wider group of people that are unable to afford rent, even if they earn fairly decent incomes,” said Michael Lens, a UCLA Associate Professor of Urban Planning and Public Policy. “It’s probably overdue that we have more elected officials that do not own their own homes.”
A pivotal vote and an unusual prop
During a recent L.A. city council meeting featuring a pivotal vote on broad new renter protections, one councilmember brought an unusual prop.
“I wanted to bring my lease that I have as one of the renters here in the city council,” said Soto-Martinez, waving a copy of his lease.
What we’re really talking about, my colleagues, is who does this city represent?
— Hugo Soto-Martinez, CD13
Addressing his fellow councilmembers, Soto-Martinez urged them to support expanding eviction protections to as many renters as…
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