Tell LA City to protect Affordable Housing

email advocacy

Dear City Council Member Staff

I am writing in response to item #15 (Council File #25-0006-S16): Tenant Eviction Prohibition/Rent Increase Pause.
First and foremost, I recognize that this is a challenging time for our City and know that we must respond accordingly to keep Angeleno’s housing stable during this crisis.
I also recognize the need to balance supporting low income Angelenos with protecting the affordable housing community that serves many of these residents. That is why I am writing today to ask for a more nuanced approach to renter protections that exempts buildings made up of 100% publicly subsidized affordable units from the proposed eviction moratorium and rent increase pause. 
Imposing an eviction moratorium and rent freeze on 100% publicly subsidized affordable housing would severely jeopardize the financial health of this already limited and essential housing stock, which is still recovering from the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Rising costs and insurance premiums have already placed these mission-driven housing providers in a tough financial situation - and they depend on these limited, heavily regulated rent increases to effectively operate and finance affordable housing throughout the city. 
Affordable housing is a only makes up about 4-5% of the city’s housing stock, and for the reasons detailed above, warrants its own unique approach. Additionally, because this represents such a small percentage of the housing stock, an exemption of affordable housing means that a majority of LA renters would still be protected by this proposed moratorium/rent freeze.
 That’s why I ask City Council to consider a nuanced approach that exempts buildings made up of 100% publicly subsidized affordable units from any new requirements of the eviction moratorium and rent freeze. LA can and should protect both the financial health of our City’s affordable housing stock and its renters.
Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[Title]

[Organization / Company]

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Summary

On Wednesday, January 29, 2025, the LA City Council will vote on whether to prohibit evictions for nonpayment of rent and pause rent increases at the citywide level. We want to protect low income Angelenos in this time of crisis while also protecting the affordable housing industry that provides this essential and much needed housing to LA’s most vulnerable residents. That is why we must advocate for a nuanced approach to renter protections that protects the financial stability of Affordable Housing developments that are still struggling to recover from COVID-19 pandemic related challenges. It's essential that the City Council exempt affordable housing from eviction moratoriums and rent freezes. Failing to include this exemption would destabilize LA’s scarce affordable housing stock. Please ask City Council today to take a more nuanced approach to these renter protections and exempt 100% publicly subsidized affordable housing buildings from any new requirements of the eviction moratorium and rent freeze.

Who will receive your email?

Eric Ares Housing/Homelessness Policy Director

Tiffany Zeytounian Planning Deputy

Mashael Majid Deputy Chief of Staff

Semee Park Senior Leg Deputy

Paola Bassignana Planning Director

Zach Warma Housing Director

Osvaldo Ramirez Legislative Deputy

Belem Lamas Policy Director

Genevieve Arce Legislative Director

Hakeem Parke-Davis Planning Deputy

Jeff Khau Planning Deputy

Josh Yeager Senior Leg Deputy

Patrick Mooney Homelessness Director

Jose Mendez Homelessness Strategies Director

Anissa Raja Legislative Director

Sachin Medhekar Communications Director