A proposal to launch an emergency assistance program and provide other resources for Los Angeles tenants at risk of eviction for failure to pay back rent due from the first 18 months of the coronavirus pandemic advanced out of a City Council committee on Wednesday, Aug. 2, one day after a major deadline for Angelenos to repay rent owed.
The proposal is expected to be considered by the council’s budget committee later this month. If it passes out of that committee, the proposal would then head to the full council for a vote.
Tuesday was the deadline for tenants to repay rent debts incurred between March 2020 and September 2021. A similar deadline is set for Feb. 1, 2024, for tenants to repay back rent owed stemming from the period of October 2021 through January of this year.
Because the first deadline has already passed, tenant rights advocates told the City Council’s Housing and Homelessness Committee on Wednesday that city officials must act immediately to stave off evictions.
“In order to solve the housing crisis, people need to remain in their homes. And right now, they’re being pushed out at a rapidly accelerating rate,” said Bijan Ghaemi of the Community Power Collective.
The proposal, which passed out of the housing and homelessness committee on a 5-0 vote, was put forth by Mayor Karen Bass’ administration. The proposal would provide the following:
- $18.4 million for a short-term emergency assistance program. Low-income tenants could apply for up to six months’ worth of back rent that they owe due to a one-time economic hardship such as those experienced during the pandemic.
- $23 million for an eviction defense and prevention program. This would expand the Stay Housed LA program, a partnership with the county, legal service providers and community organizations.
- $5.5 million for a tenant outreach and education program. Funds would be used for broad and targeted education outreach services such as workshops, legal clinics and media…
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