ONE BIG THING: “SUBSTANTIAL RENOVATION” EVICTIONS
What Happened?
Last Friday, City Council passed an emergency ordinance closing a loophole that allowed landlords to evict tenants under sketchy claims of “substantial renovations.”
Even better, we introduced an amendment with Councilmembers Ysabel Jurado and Bob Blumenfield to protect tenants already in eviction proceedings, ensuring these new protections apply to all vulnerable renters.
Why it Matters
This fight was especially urgent for the tenants living in a building on Mohawk Street in CD13 – who advocated at City Hall for months so they could stay in their homes. Families in this building, many of whom had lived there for decades, were being forced from their homes under the guise of “substantial renovations,” when any necessary repairs could be completed without forcing them out.
Before this vote, landlords could evict tenants just by claiming a renovation would take more than 30 days – no real proof required.
What’s Next?
The temporary ordinance will be in place until August 1st, blocking evictions for now. But this fight isn’t over – we need permanent protections to close this loophole for good and prevent landlords from using renovations as an excuse to displace renters.
We also need to establish a process for landlords to conduct legitimate substantial renovations in a way that allows tenants temporarily relocate and return to their units once renovations are complete.
Three More Quick Hits
- Help Shape the Future of LA’s Parks! 🌳
What do you want to see in your parks and recreation centers? Right now, residents have the opportunity to tell the city what types of parks you’d like to see in your neighborhood.
Join a community meeting this morning (Saturday) or Tuesday, or fill out their 5-minute survey to help make parks in LA match the needs of your community.
If you want to go a bit more in-depth, take the 15-minute survey here.
Visit needs.parks.lacity.gov to learn more!
- Construction Begins at Juntos Park in Glassell Park
After re-opening new playgrounds in Atwater Village and Historic Filipinotown the other week, Juntos Park in Glassell Park is beginning its makeover right now!
The playground will be closed beginning this week until construction is complete, which is on track for the end of May.
Stay tuned for updates about the Grand Re-Opening and new state-of-the-art equipment to enjoy!
- 22 More Angelenos Moved off the Street and Indoors
On Thursday, we worked with Mayor Bass and trusted service providers to bring 22 unhoused neighbors at the Myra Ave underpass in Silver Lake and near the Glendale/Sunset underpass by Echo Park Lake out of the rain and into safe and stable hotel and motel rooms. More residents nearby are ready to move indoors as soon as additional rooms become available.
These residents will now have hot meals, showers, a safe room to themselves, and a case manager to help them get matched with permanent housing.
As far too many of our neighbors are still forced to suffer on the streets during these storms, we need to build more interim housing, and all types of housing, to get out of this crisis.