Living in Los Angeles has felt heavy these past few months. We are still reeling from January’s fires, entertainment industry jobs have fled the city, tourism has gone down, and port traffic – which powers so much of our regional economy – has plummeted thanks to the unpredictable tariffs. We have also faced federal challenges to so much of what feels essential: protections for immigrants, environmental regulation, and cuts to our broader social safety net. Our City’s budget has also been battered. Tax revenues have dropped sharply, and along with the fiscal impacts of new labor contracts, walloping liability settlement payouts, and recovery costs associated with the fires, the city is facing structural shortfalls in our budget. When the Mayor’s draft budget was released in April, the budget proposed about 1,600 layoffs, and the elimination of another 1,000 vacant positions to fill a nearly $1 billion deficit. Last week, after weeks of work by the Budget and Finance Committee, the City Council adopted the revised budget for next year, and the revised proposal now goes back to the Mayor for her signature. The approved budget makes some important changes from the original budget proposal, including many changes that my office advocated for: -
At long last, we established a Bureau of Homelessness Oversight within the Los Angeles Housing Department, that will bring city staff already working on homelessness under one umbrella. For the first time, we will have a place in the city explicitly tasked with overseeing our homelessness response, buttressed by robust data collection – a change that is long overdue. -
The budget preserves 1,000 jobs that were slated to be cut, by identifying offsets and revenue generating positions, and increasing some fees. This includes -
130 positions at Rec and Parks, including maintenance positions for all our parks and Griffith Observatory. -
122 positions at LADOT, including 75 traffic officers -
150 civilian positions at LAPD, who play crucial roles in our public safety response. -
Hundreds of positions in the Bureau of Street Lighting, Street Services, City Planning and more, that will allow us to repair broken street lights, install speed humps and fix sidewalks, and approve much needed new housing in the city. -
Funding for staff to maintain Hollyhock House’s UNESCO World Heritage status However, much work remains to be done. Hundreds of positions are still slated for cuts across nearly every department, a devastating moment for our city and our hard-working city workforce. And without deep thought about how these cuts are made, these job losses will imperil our ability to maintain services – at a time when service quality is already deeply challenged. This budget has also not yet accounted for additional federal funding cuts that are expected to come: cuts to housing vouchers, transportation infrastructure, and more. Despite the existential challenges that Los Angeles is facing at this moment, I do feel hope as we look ahead. The challenges we are facing right now are forcing us to ask tough questions about how city services are delivered, and how we can deliver them more effectively – even questions that may have been politically unpalatable to ask in the past. If we are able to answer these questions with honesty, then we will make this city more resilient for the challenges ahead. I am prepared to do the work. There is no place in the world I would rather live than in Los Angeles, and I am determined to fight for its future. With love, | -
Updates From City Hall — Enacting A Right To Counsel Program For Tenants In LA, Strengthening The City’s Homesharing Enforcement Ordinance, Creating The City’s First Publicly Accessible Affordable Housing Database, Celebrating AANHPI Month In Council, Celebrating Jewish American History Month Through The Lens Of Music, Recognizing Griffith Observatory’s Astronomical Anniversary -
In The District — Thanking The Los Angeles Equestrian Community, Breaking Ground On The Metro G Line, Rallying To Keep Production In LA, Investing in Financial and Environmental Sustainability in Reseda, Restoring An Iconic Mural in Encino, Supporting Our Next Generation Of Leaders With Ready To Launch, Celebrating Earth Day In Griffith Park, Gathering With Neighbors At Encino Fest, Beautifying Runyon Canyon With Gay For Good -
Wildfire Recovery Resources — LA County Eviction Protections For Renters Impacted By Wildfires, UCLA Impacted Communities Registry -
Upcoming Events — AANHPI: The Story Of Us, Free Ride To NHM’s Pride In Bloom, LGBTQIA+ Pride Celebration & Storytelling Event -
Resources & Forums — Apply To The Hollywoodland Design Review Board, Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project Community Meetings, City Of Los Angeles Youth Expo, LADWP & LASAN New Purified Recycled Water Program Community Meeting, LA City Park Needs Assessment Community Meetings, Jewish Free Loan Association Basic Loan Program, Griffith Park Explorer Website -
Construction & Closures — Sherman Oaks North Outfall Sewer Rehab Unit 35 -
Other Helpful Links | ENACTING A RIGHT TO COUNSEL PROGRAM FOR TENANTS IN LA | When we talk about what it’s like to live in LA, so often we are talking about a feeling of precariousness. And in particular, precariousness in housing. The feeling that at any time, with just a few bad breaks, you could lose your home. Which is why I am so excited that last month, Council took a critical step to protect renters, adopting a Right to Counsel program for tenants in the City of Los Angeles facing eviction who are unable to afford legal representation. This is the final step in the process to draft and adopt an ordinance, initiated by a motion I brought forward in 2023 with my colleagues Councilmembers Bob Blumenfield, Heather Hutt, Eunisses Hernandez, Hugo Soto-Martinez, and Katy Yaroslavsky. Studies have shown that when tenants are unable to afford a lawyer, they frequently fail to contest an eviction notice, even if it’s unlawfully issued. As a result, many eviction actions end in default judgments against tenants that may have been able to make successful arguments in court, if they only had representation. What Right to Counsel is trying to do is end our era of precarity and move into one of stability. We are trying to build a city where, if you end up in a situation where you could lose your housing, someone will be there to support you. To show people in LA that they are not alone – that this city loves them and wants them to stay here. The newly adopted ordinance establishes the Eviction Defense Program/Stay Housed LA as a permanent phased-in program citywide, codifies services, and ensures that eligible tenants living in the City have the right to access critical legal services. To be eligible, the tenant must reside in the City and earn 80 percent or less than the area median income. Adding Right to Counsel to our suite of recently passed renter protections is not only the right thing to do, it is the smart thing to do. By investing in protecting tenants, we are not only keeping Angelenos housed, we are saving money in costs related to emergency shelter, temporary housing programs, and health care and moving us into an era of stability in the City of Los Angeles. STRENGTHENING THE CITY’S HOMESHARING ENFORCEMENT ORDINANCE Here’s a frightening fact: it can take up to three years to issue a *single* citation for an illegal Airbnb listing. While the City of Los Angeles adopted its Homesharing Enforcement Ordinance way back in 2018, it has really struggled to crack down on bad actors. Failing to fully and adequately enforce the Ordinance means we are not only inviting major nuisance and safety issues into our communities, but we are risking losing valuable housing stock for those who need it most. Since taking office my team and I have been laser-focused on bolstering our enforcement mechanisms. In 2021, Council adopted a motion I introduced to develop a comprehensive enforcement strategy – identifying illegal listings, citing violators, and creating a dedicated unit to do the work. After years of work with City departments, I am thrilled to report that in March Council adopted the final set of recommendations to improve enforcement and centralize Home-Sharing administrative operations. Just a few of these improvements include making it easier to file complaints and submit evidence, hiring more Hearing Officers in the City Attorney’s Office for nuisance cases, and requiring that platforms conduct an electronic verification of listings prior to booking transactions. I’m also happy to share that through this rigorous work to expose and reform how we do things, departments have taken notice and already begun to implement several of the adopted recommendations, including the creation of a public portal to show permitted listings (which you can find HERE) and no longer sending warning letters prior to issuing a citation. The Council’s adoption of this new set of recommendations to strengthen our Homesharing Enforcement Ordinance represents an essential step in our ongoing efforts to stabilize and protect our neighborhoods. CREATING THE CITY’S FIRST PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE AFFORDABLE HOUSING DATABASE While the City of Los Angeles has increased its affordable housing supply in recent years, with thousands of new affordable units having been built as part of larger developments of market-rate units, we’ve faced a significant challenge filling those units. One reason why? Residents who qualify for affordable housing do not currently have a straightforward means of finding or applying for this housing. Earlier this month, Council voted to establish a public-facing comprehensive affordable housing database, helping to solve this issue. This new centralized, multilingual system will make it easier for local residents to find and apply for available affordable housing, both publicly subsidized and privately financed, within the City of Los Angeles. Borne from legislation I introduced in 2023, this one-stop shop will additionally simplify the process for applicants, allowing them to directly apply for housing based on their needs, preferences, and qualifications. We talk a lot about making it easier to build affordable housing, but it is just as critical to make it easy for residents to apply for this new housing and ensure we are able to keep Angelenos from falling into homelessness. CELEBRATING AANHPI HERITAGE MONTH | AANHPI Heritage Month is our annual reminder of the rich culture, diversity, and care that makes up the Asian community. As the first Asian woman and first South Asian ever elected to serve on the Los Angeles City Council, I am proud to uplift the countless AANHPI community members, neighborhood leaders, advocacy groups, and more that join me in creating joyful and inclusive spaces for people of all backgrounds to come together and build a collective vision for a more equitable Los Angeles. This month I had the opportunity to recognize three of those leaders: Mina Kimes, Bhuvan Bajaj, and Katie Chin. Through her work covering the NFL, Mina Kimes he has paved the path for women – and AANHPI women in particular – in a field traditionally reserved for men, breaking down barriers with humor and grace. As one of our City’s dedicated Department of Transportation engineers, Bhuvan Bajaj has created a safer and more accessible street network that benefits all Angelenos, especially right here in Council District 4. And, through an unwavering commitment to enriching the lives of Angelenos through the power of food, Katie Chin continues to uplift the vibrant diaspora of Asian cuisines, helping to heal the world one dish at a time. Thank you to all of our AANHPI community members and leaders that continue to create space and build as they climb! CELEBRATING JEWISH AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH THROUGH THE LENS OF MUSIC May is also Jewish American History Month and this year, we recognized the profound impact Jewish Americans have had on the City of Los Angeles—shaping its culture, landscape, and identity in lasting ways. Nowhere is that legacy more vivid than in Hollywood. Jewish composers, many of whom fled persecution in Europe, helped define the sound of American cinema right here in Los Angeles, crafting iconic scores that have since become part of our cultural identity. I grew up as an immigrant in this country, and so often it is through movies and television that we learn how to speak English. Beyond the glamor and the glitz, Hollywood has the power to shape us profoundly. I say that as a reminder – especially at a time when this industry is struggling right here in our city – that the magic of Hollywood is more than just tricks of cinema. It is the power to break down barriers and to unite us. The history of Jewish American composers in particular, is the story of that magic. Their music transcended boundaries, telling universal stories while reflecting the resilience and creativity of a people who helped build Hollywood itself. This month, may we remember and celebrate that legacy. RECOGNIZING GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY’S ASTRONOMICAL ANNIVERSARY | For 90 years, the Griffith Observatory has been a supernova in the City of Los Angeles. Since 1935, the Observatory has inspired generations of Angelenos and visitors from across the world to gaze, ponder, and understand the sky – fostering a sense of curiosity and community. It has been featured in many of our most iconic films, including “Rebel Without a Cause” and has even served as the training ground for Apollo astronauts learning to navigate by the stars. It was an honor to recognize this remarkable institution, in Council last week. Under the visionary leadership of Dr. Krupp, not only is the Observatory one of LA’s most visited tourist attractions, it is the most visited public observatory on the planet, with 1.8 million people trekking here annually! All of us here in Los Angeles have a connection to the Observatory. I have had the privilege of attending a naturalization ceremony here and even hosting my own swearing-in ceremony for my second term here. Last week, thousands gathered at this pinnacle above the city for the Observatory’s 90th anniversary celebration, where we were graced with an astronomically perfect sunset accompanied by a traditional Chumash performance. The Observatory is one of our most unique and important cultural institutions, providing an invaluable public service through educational programming that inspires curiosity and introspection in people of all ages. We wish it a very happy 90th birthday! | THANKING THE LOS ANGELES EQUESTRIAN COMMUNITY | Amidst the destruction from the January wildfires there emerged a sense of community and a sense of belonging to this city that I have never seen before. This came to light in many ways, but most powerfully in the feeling that Los Angeles is home and we will do everything we can to care for it. The equestrian community is one that embodies this spirit through and through, and during the fires so many of its members stepped up to care for horses that had to be evacuated. They quickly put together a valiant brigade of volunteers, including haulers, donors, large animal care teams, transport coordinators, community organizers, veterinary responders, and supply distributors, who all came together to ensure these beautiful creatures were safe. Staff from the Equestrian Center, as well as our staff from Animal Services and the Department of Rec & Parks, helped to set up and coordinate the Mass Care center, and between our staff and all of the wonderful volunteers, the LA Equestrian Center was able to shelter 364 animals! I had the opportunity to stop by the LA Equestrian Advisory Board’s monthly meeting to extend my gratitude in person and the feeling of love and care in the room was palpable. I have learned so much from this community, about horses and how they can change lives, and about what it means to truly interact with animals in such a selfless way. To the Los Angeles’s equestrian community – your unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of animals and residents alike exemplifies the spirit of unity, courage, and selflessness, and I am beyond grateful to share a small token of our appreciation with you. BREAKING GROUND ON THE METRO G LINE | Earlier this year, we celebrated the groundbreaking of major improvements to the Metro G Line –connecting the San Fernando Valley from North Hollywood to Chatsworth – which will significantly reduce travel times, make our streets safer, and provide an incredible opportunity for more people to live closer to transit. These investments are all about you. Whether you are an avid user of public transit or open to trying it out, it is our job to do everything in our power to make it possible for you to enjoy a traffic-free, fast, and reliable ride. Today, we are one step closer to a more sustainable, accessible Los Angeles for all. I want to extend a huge thank you to Stephanie Wiggins and everyone at Metro, Congresswoman Luis-Rivas, Councilmember Padilla, Councilmember Blumenfield, Councilmember Rodriguez, Supervisor Horvath, and the countless others who dedicated so much of their time to get this project across the finish line! RALLYING TO KEEP PRODUCTION IN LOS ANGELES | The Hollywood ecosystem goes so much further than celebrities, big time directors, and the top 1%-– it’s camera operators, set decorators, costumers, caterers, drivers, and so many more. These are middle-class, working people who deserve the same dignity, respect, and fair wages as any other worker. In addition to that, so many small businesses, restaurants, and our local economy depend on the entertainment industry. That’s why it is *imperative* that we keep production local and why I stand proudly with StayinLA. I joined over 1,500 filmworkers, labor leaders, elected officials, and community members for StayinLA’s day of action in Sun Valley to advocate for incentives to allow the film industry to stay afloat. Following the impacts of the pandemic, the strikes, and the recent wildfires, we must do everything in our power to keep production– and the jobs it brings– in Los Angeles. INVESTING IN FINANCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY IN RESEDA | As we continue to recover from January’s devastating fires, we know just how difficult it can be to get back on your feet. That’s why we partnered with community organizations like the Community Investment for Families Department (CIFD), MTO Shahmaghsoudi, LAVITA Community Financial Organization, the Office of Supervisor Horvath, and more to host “Community Grows”— our first ever financial and environmental sustainability event in Reseda! We created a one-stop-shop to provide free financial assistance resources with tax professionals, city department representatives, and local nonprofit leaders to help connect community members with the information they need to file this year’s taxes. We also know that focusing on joy and community can make all the difference, so we turned our focus to growing the seeds for a brighter future, distributing free trees, potted plants, and planting materials to event attendees. Additionally, we distributed dozens of free air purifiers to any households in need, to ensure families are able to quell any concerns about air quality in the aftermath of the fires. We know that times are tough, so hopefully these resources help you breathe a little easier (and cleaner!). RESTORING AN ICONIC MURAL IN ENCINO | In 1975, the City of Los Angeles commissioned local artist Sandy Bleifer to paint a mural on the Havyenhurt underpass of the 101 Freeway. The resulting piece was “Can of Cardines” – a commentary on LA’s burgeoning car culture featuring an open sardine can full of smashed cars. Now considered one of the City’s most iconic murals, 50 years of wear and tear have left their mark. In partnership with the Encinco Neighborhood Council, our office was able to help fund the restoration of “Can of Cardines” with Sandy herself restoring the piece to its original glory! We joined her on a sunny weekend to celebrate the final product and meet the legendary artist. Sandy – your artistry, advocacy, and creativity has and continues to be an inspiration. Your dedication to uplifting social justice, urban revitalization, and environmental sustainability have made the City of Los Angeles a more vibrant place and we are so grateful you continue to call this city home. SUPPORTING OUR NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS WITH READY TO LAUNCH | I was so grateful to join Ready to Launch at their spring reception and see so many young women who’ve gone through their fellowship program and are now embarking on careers in local government, including CD4’s very own former intern Gabriela Martinez! It wasn’t until much later in life that I felt like I had what it took to be a leader in my own community and run for public office. As a young woman, and a young South Asian woman in particular, I simply didn’t have access to the network or the tools or the support needed to take the next step. But, imagine the potential we could unlock by looking at a young woman and saying “you can do this”. Ready to Launch does just that by building a network and laying down the path for the next generation of young women to be leaders in their community. This is the type of transformative work that can change City Hall, and government at large, person by person, staff member by staff member. It is exactly the kind of organization I needed as a young woman, and I am so grateful that through their expanding network, young Angelenos now have access to training, mentorship, stipends, and support to begin a career in politics and government. If you are a young woman thinking about a career Be sure to learn more about their work at letslaunch.org! CELEBRATING EARTH DAY IN GRIFFITH PARK | In honor of Earth Day 2025, I joined Rec and Parks, Friends of Griffith Park, and City Plants for our annual planting event in Griffith Park. Families, neighbors, and community members gathered to help us beautify the (soon to be refurbished!) Griffith Park Visitor Center, planting native plants, installing educational signage, and doing some much needed weeding. As the Councilmember for this district, I am so privileged to represent Griffith Park. This urban-wilderness expanse is so special for Los Angeles – an incredible refuge in the middle of this big city and home to some of our most iconic institutions from the Observatory to the LA Zoo. Not to mention the former home of CD4’s most famous resident, beloved mountain lion P-22! For me, growing up in the suburbs, I had very little opportunity to interact with nature. But for young Angelenos, Griffith Park is the place where urban kids, including my own, get to learn how to love and respect mother earth. And we have some exciting projects in the works to make the park an even greater resource for Los Angeles! We are working on installing a protected pathway for people walking and biking along Crystal Springs Dr., updating the Griffith Park Visitor Center to be a central hub for people exploring all the park has to offer, and building a new amphitheatre near the old zoo to provide a beautiful new space for expanded arts in the park. Thank you so much to Gerry Hans and Friends of Griffith Park, the Griffith Park Advisory Board, and the Griffith J. Griffith Trust, for your work to ensure that the City cares for this resource in the way it deserves. Thank you to City Plants for sharing your incredible breadth of knowledge on native plants and how to care for them properly. And, as always, a special thank you to Tracy James and Stefanie Smith from Rec and Parks for their dedicated stewardship of this Los Angeles gem. As Los Angeles residents, we are so lucky to have such a vibrant diversity of people and natural landscapes, and Griffith Park is no exception. Let’s remember the responsibility we have beyond Earth Day to protect and maintain our precious environment, the beautiful land we occupy, and the abundant joy it brings us! GATHERING WITH NEIGHBORS AT ENCINO FEST | One of the things I get most excited about as an elected official is creating opportunities to foster *real* community across our city. Nothing brings me more joy than seeing young families out at our movie nights in Los Feliz, dancing at our concert series in the Valley, or barbequing at block parties in Hollywood. That’s why when Josh Sautter, President of the Encino Neighborhood Council, reached out to our office with the idea to host the very first Encino Fest, we jumped at the chance to partner on the event! We were proud to sponsor the music – critical at any good party – and it was a hit! We were graced by performances from the ENC Youth Committee, Degas Dance Studio, The Grand Academy of Ballet, and a fiery rock performance by the Pop Vision Board Band! I want to give a special thanks to our many wonderful community leaders that contributed to the event, and to the Encino Neighborhood Council and the Encino Property Owners Association for their work in bringing it to life. When people of all ages and friends from all over the neighborhood come together to sing, dance, and play together, we begin to build a community that reflects the true spirit of our beautiful City. BEAUTIFYING RUNYON CANYON WITH GAY FOR GOOD | Los Angeles has faced some real challenges this year. However, one thing about Angelenos is that we take every challenge as an opportunity to build back better. We saw that spirit in full display at our Runyon Canyon Volunteer Day! Our office partnered with the Department of Rec & Parks, Friends of Runyon Canyon, and Gay for Good to lead a morning of ecological restoration with over 40 volunteers – some who had signed up ahead of time and many who just stumbled upon our tent and joined in the effort. Together, we filled over 50 rash bags with black mustard and castor bean plants. Invasive plant species like this not only alter the ecological balance of the area, they also suffocate and displace native plant ecosystems along our trails and hillsides. Plants native to California, on the other hand, are built for our dry environment and many are fire resistant. It fills me with such hope to see so many community members dedicate their time to helping maintain and protect our urban green spaces in Runyon Canyon and beyond. As we continue with our wildfire recovery efforts, we ask that community members heed all local trail and park advisories. The West Trail remains closed to allow vegetation and habitat time to reestablish itself after the Sunset Fire. The Department of Recreation and Parks will look to reassess the West Trail the first week of July to determine an appropriate time for reopening. For now, let’s continue to enjoy the trails that remain open, allow for impacted areas to regenerate naturally (with a little bit of professional help from our Rec & Parks plant experts!), and work toward the community and environmental resilience that Los Angeles is known for! | LA COUNTY EVICTION PROTECTIONS FOR RENTERS IMPACTED BY WILDFIRES On 2/25/25, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a countywide eviction moratorium in response to the January wildfires, prohibiting evictions for qualifying tenants through July 31, 2025. The Resolution enacts Countywide temporary eviction protections for qualified* tenants facing eviction for non-payment of rent due between February 1, 2025 and July 31, 2025. *A Qualified tenant must meet the following requirements: -
Have lived in the rental unit since before January 7, 2025; -
Have earned a 2024 household income equal to or less than 150% of the Area Median Income; and -
Have begun “Income Replacement Efforts,” which means enrolling in or applying for: -
Enrolling in or applying for a relief program for County Wildfires; -
Unemployment benefits or other qualifying income assistance; or, -
Be actively seeking employment. Tenants seeking protections must submit a Self-Certification Form to their landlord within seven days of rent being due each month. For more information, please visit the LA County Consumer and Business Affairs website HERE. Unemployment benefits or other qualifying income assistance; or, Be actively seeking employment. Tenants seeking protections must submit a Self-Certification Form to their landlord within seven days of rent being due each month.
For more information, please visit the LA County Consumer and Business Affairs website HERE.
UCLA IMPACTED COMMUNITIES REGISTRY | MORE INFO In an effort to assess how January’s wildfires might affect human health in the long term, researchers at UCLA have created the UCLA Wildfire Registry. This registry is designed to connect individuals affected by the wildfires in Los Angeles County with future research opportunities focused on understanding the impacts of the wildfires on health and well-being. By registering, you agree to be contacted for potential participation in studies on individual and community health, well-being, and recovery. The goal is to “build knowledge that could save lives and shape our health in the future,” says David Eisenman, MD, one of the researchers who established the registry. To do that, UCLA Health is calling on the people of Los Angeles for help.
This brief survey will collect basic demographic information, details on how you were impacted, and your interest in future research studies. Please answer each question to the best of your ability. Please note the survey will need to be completed in one sitting and will take 10 minutes to complete. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the Embedded Clinical Research and Innovation Unit at ResearchRegistry@mednet.ucla.edu or call us at (310) 490-4888. Click HERE to register! | Join our office, Pars Equality Center, the Department of Cultural Affairs, the Department of Recreation & Parks, and MTO for an afternoon of sharing, listening, and preserving AANHPI cultural heritage and community clean up at Van Nuys Sherman Oaks Park! Participants will have the opportunity to record the story of their lived experience (or anything else they deem meaningful!) to be saved in the Library of Congress for future generations. We will then lead a community cleanup to preserve and build connections and community. DATE: Saturday, May 31 TIME: 10AM-2PM LOCATION: Van Nuys Sherman Oaks Park, 14201 Huston Street, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423 Click HERE to RSVP! FREE RIDE TO NHM’S PRIDE IN BLOOM | JUNE 8 | MORE INFO | This year, our office has teamed up with the Drag Arts Lab to provide a free charter bus to the Natural History Museum (and back!) to experience their newest exhibition, Pride in Bloom. DATE: Sunday, June 8 PICK UP TIME: 10AM LEAVES MUSEUM: 3PM PICK UP LOCATION: 16953 Ventura Blvd, Encino, CA 91342 Email pickle@dragartslab.org to reserve your spot! LGBTQIA+ PRIDE CELEBRATION & STORYTELLING EVENT | JUNE 27 | MORE INFO | Join Councilmember Nithya Raman and our City and LGBTQIA+ community partners for a San Fernando Valley Pride celebration at C Frenz in Reseda. This free event will feature a panel of fabulous queer community leaders, opportunities for community building, and a chance to oppose the historical invisibility and marginalization of the LGBTQ+ community by uplifting queer voices. Participants will have the opportunity to record the story of their lived experience (or anything else they deem meaningful!) to be saved in the Library of Congress for future generations! DATE: Friday, June 27 TIME: 6PM LOCATION: C Frenz Bar, 7026 Reseda Blvd, Reseda, CA 91335 Click HERE to RSVP! | APPLY TO THE HOLLYWOODLAND DESIGN REVIEW BOARD The Hollywoodland Specific Plan mandates the composition of a Design Review Board that provides the City Planning Department with recommendations for approval based on the Hollywoodland Design Guidelines for the Community Specific Plan. The Review Board helps ensure building design, including shape, materials, open space, colors, signs, and façade appearance, are compatible with the character of the neighborhood and consistent with the guidelines in the specific plan. If you reside, operate a business, or are employed within the Hollywood Community Plan Area, and want to help shape the future of Hollywoodland, we encourage you to apply! Interested applicants should contact Yasmin Diaz at yasmin.diaz@lacity.org with a statement of interest and resume. For more information on the Hollywood Specific Community Plan, visit bit.ly/hwdland-plan SEPULVEDA TRANSIT CORRIDOR PROJECT COMMUNITY MEETING | MAY 31 | MORE INFO Metro has a plan to make it easier to get around by creating better transit options between the San Fernando Valley and the Westside. The natural barrier created by the Santa Monica Mountains makes traveling between the Valley and the Westside challenging – and will require innovation and multiple solutions. Metro is working to evaluate alternatives for a high-quality, reliable transit service option connecting the San Fernando Valley and the Westside. The Sepulveda Transit Corridor project is currently in the planning phase, which began with scoping meetings held in late 2021 and early 2022. Metro is preparing a Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) – the DEIR will analyze a range of rail transit modes, alignments, and station locations to address the transportation needs of the Sepulveda corridor. Ahead of the release of the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR), Metro invites you to join a community meeting: DATE: Saturday, May 31
TIME: 3-5pm
LOCATION: Sherman Oaks East Valley Adult Center, 5056 Van Nuys Bl, Building B, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 *Presentation will begin at 3:30pm LADWP & LASAN NEW PURIFIED RECYCLED WATER PROGRAM COMMUNITY MEETING | JUNE 7 | MORE INFO The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) and Los Angeles Sanitation and Environment (LASAN) invite community members to participate in an upcoming virtual community meeting on June 7 to provide input on Pure Water Los Angeles, a water supply and resiliency program being collaboratively developed by LADWP and LASAN to design, build, and operate an exceptionally advanced water purification system. It aims to produce up to 230 million gallons of purified recycled water per day. About 50 percent of Los Angeles’ water comes from our own sources—including groundwater, recycled water, and water delivered by the Los Angeles Aqueduct—with the remaining water purchased and imported from other agencies. Pure Water Los Angeles will create a new, sustainable, and more resilient supply of drinking water by purifying recycled water, supporting the transition to a 70 percent local water supply. Through the upcoming community meeting, the public will have the opportunity to learn more about Pure Water Los Angeles, participate in group discussions about the program, and provide feedback on program planning. DATE: Saturday, June 7 TIME: 10:00-11:30AM Click HERE to register for the webinar LA CITY PARK NEEDS ASSESSMENT COMMUNITY MEETINGS | MORE INFO The City of Los Angeles is entering the second phase of The Park Needs Assessment and wants to hear from you! This Assessment will be a roadmap to just and fair capital investment in parks and recreation and equitable connections to quality parks and recreation, to meet current and future needs of residents! Join the Department of Recreation & Parks for the second round of community meetings where you can get the inside scoop on the data being evaluated, share your ideas, and help shape the future of LA’s parks. Spanish translation and refreshments will be provided! Upcoming community meetings in Council District 4/virtual: DATE: Wednesday, June 11 TIME: 6PM -8PM LOCATION: Friendship Auditorium, 3201 Riverside Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90027 DATE: Tuesday, July 1 TIME: 6PM – 7:30PM LOCATION: Zoom (virtual) Click HERE to RSVP for a meeting!
CITY OF LOS ANGELES YOUTH EXPO | MAY 31 | MORE INFO The City of Los Angeles Youth Department invites you to join them for a free citywide youth resource fair. The event seeks to enrich the lives and outcomes for young people, offering on-site career and workforce development workshops, healthy meal preparation workshops, mental health/mindfulness services, community engagement and leadership opportunities, and more. DATE: Saturday, May 31 TIME: 9am-3pm LOCATION: Los Angeles Trade Tech College, 400 W Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015 Click HERE to register. JEWISH FREE LOAN ASSOCIATION ‘BASIC LOAN’ PROGRAM | MORE INFO In light of rising living costs, continued inflation, and the lingering financial impacts of the pandemic and job market instability, many residents of Los Angeles are struggling to meet essential needs such as housing, education, small business development, and medical expenses. The Jewish Free Loan Association offers a diverse variety of loans to eligible community members to provide short-term financial relief while promoting long-term stability and dignity. For more information, eligibility requirements, and to apply, click HERE! EXPLORE ALL 50+ MILES OF OFFICIAL TRAILS WITH “GRIFFITH PARK EXPLORER” Did you know that Griffith Park has more than two marathons’ worth of trails? Now, thanks to Friends of Griffith Park, you can experience all 50+ miles of official trails in the Park in 15 segments that offer options for beginners and more experienced hikers. Griffith Park Explorer (GP-eX) is a system of hikes that describes trail history, local flora and fauna, geology, and other insights that bring the Park to life. It’s fun, easy to use and informative. A printable map, turn-by-turn directions and links to AllTrails routes are available on the Friends of Griffith Park website (friendsofgriffithpark.org/gp-ex/), which is optimized for use on mobile devices. | SHERMAN OAKS North Outfall Sewer (NOS) Rehab Unit 35 – Sepulveda to Noble Daytime Saw Cutting: DATE/TIME: Saturday, June 7, 2025 from 7am to 7pm LOCATION: Burbank Blvd (Sepulveda Blvd to Noble Ave) Nighttime 8″ Sewer Line Construction: DATE/TIME: Begins Monday, June 16, 2025 at 8 pm, and continues Monday evenings through Saturday mornings: 8pm to 5am, June 16 – August 2025 LOCATION: Burbank Blvd (Sepulveda Blvd to Noble Ave): DETAILS: The City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works will be conducting night work as part of a sewer rehabilitation project in Sherman Oaks. This project is necessary in order to protect the reliability of the sewer pipeline system. The project will rehabilitate the existing sewer by installing a new 8” sewer line. Improvements to the pipeline will ensure that your sewers are reliable for decades to come. This activity will be conducted during nighttime work hours in order to safely and efficiently complete the work when the flow within the sewer pipeline system is at its lowest, as well as to reduce impacts to local vehicular traffic. Thank you for your understanding and patience during this project. If you have questions, please contact Kris Stith, Community Outreach Team (213) 485-3221 or via email at kristopher.stith@lacity.org | Our Office: Services + Resources -
Food Pantry Locator — Get connected to food resources near you. -
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LA City Sanitation — Submit a service request for metal/household appliance disposal. -
MyChildCarePlan — Free resource website for childcare providers and families listing every licensed provider in California. -
Adopt or Foster A Shelter Pet— Find pets for adoption and a list of local shelters. -
Gas Assistance Fund – The Gas Assistance Fund (GAF) offers a one-time grant to help customers pay their natural gas bills. -
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StreetsLA Street Sweeping — Register for notifications about sweeping in your neighborhoods. | |
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