Restoring faith & trust in City Hall | 10/20/22

Dear Friends, 

Alongside the people of Los Angeles and the rest of the country, I was horrified by the comments made in the recordings that were released just last week. As an elected representative and sitting Councilmember, I reject those comments completely — they are simply not representative of the city that I love so deeply. 

The City of Los Angeles is owed more from its leadership than apologies and promises to reflect when the actions on display were so abhorrent. We’re at a moment where the problems facing our city — enormous housing costs, rising homelessness, and a mounting climate crisis among them — cannot be conversations that are tainted with racism or homophobia. 

There is a lot of work ahead for the City Council to build back the trust of Angelenos — and while the resignation of the former Council President is a necessary step, the unwillingness of Kevin de Leon and Gil Cedillo to resign is a slap in the face to residents who deserve to move on from this shameful and reprehensible moment. 

I’m here because I believe in the power of government to do good and to be good — but going forward, we must create the governance structures that really make that possible. We must create rules in Los Angeles that change the way in which Councilmembers operate — that means drastically taking action to eliminate opportunities for corruption and quid pro quo, including creating a truly independent redistricting commission, expanding the number of seats on the Council, and reducing Councilmembers’ discretion over individual land-use decisions.

Even as we continue to push for the resignations of the individuals on that tape, we must also push for rules in Los Angeles that incentivize elected representatives to act on behalf of all Angelenos, not for their own political power. That’s exactly what I hope we can do in the coming weeks and months. 

With that said — our work to serve the residents of Council District 4 continues. I hope you’ll read below for important information about the opportunity to sign up for the Section 8 housing voucher waitlist, student debt forgiveness, and more timely updates. 

With love and hope for a better tomorrow,

I. Important Resources & Updates | Section 8 Voucher Waitlist Applications, At-Home COVID Vaccination, Student Loan Debt Forgiveness, Child Care Resources
II. Upcoming Events | Sherman Oaks Street Fair, Contracting Workshop, SONC Movie Night
III. Construction & Closures
IV. Other Helpful Links

APPLY FOR SECTION 8 (RENT SUBSIDY) VOUCHERS NOW TO OCT 30 | MORE INFO
The waitlist for the City’s Section 8 housing voucher program — which provides federal funding to help pay for rent for low-income renters — is now open for applications until October 30! Eligible residents will be able to submit a short online application for a chance at getting on the waitlist. If you or a neighbor has limited internet access, please reach out to our office at (213) 473-7004 for assistance. 

Anyone who submits an application for the waitlist will be selected via lottery (not first-come, first-served). For the latest information, read LAist’s helpful overview HERE, and visit the City Housing Authority (HACLA)’s online portal HERE to apply.

AT-HOME VACCINATIONS AVAILABLE IN LA COUNTY | MORE INFO
If you or a loved one have difficulty leaving home to get vaccinated against COVID-19, you can request an in-home vaccination by calling 2-1-1 or the LA County Department of Public Health Vaccine Call Center at 833-540-0473. The Fall 2022 booster is also available for eligible individuals, and other family members or caregivers can be vaccinated during the same visit. 

Residents can also fill out the online request form (multiple language options available) or visit ph.lacounty.gov/vaxathome or ph.lacounty.gov/vacunacionencasa for more information. 

STUDENT LOAN DEBT FORGIVENESS APPLICATION | MORE INFO
On August 24, the Biden-Harris Administration announced a Student Debt Relief Plan that includes one-time student loan debt relief, with up to $20,000 in debt relief to Federal Pell Grant recipients and up to $10,000 in debt relief to non-Pell Grant recipients. Eligible borrowers will have individual income under $125,000 (or $250,000 for households).

If your income data is with the U.S. Department of Education, you will receive relief automatically if you are eligible. If the U.S. Department of Education does not have your income data, you can fill out an application that will soon be available. For more information on how you can prepare, and with further information about the process, click HERE.

CALIFORNIA STATE CHILD CARE RESOURCE SITE | MORE INFO
California families looking for child care can find a new FREE resource website at mychildcareplan.org. Unlike other child care directories, this website is free for providers and families, lists every licensed provider in California, and links to their history of inspections and citations. The site, launched this week, allows users to filter the search for things like type of care, vacancies, and language.

NAVIGATING CITY CONTRACTING OPPORTUNITIES | OCT 27 @ 3:30-5 PM | RSVP
If you’re a contractor looking for assistance with your capacity and business growth, join our webinar hosted with the City’s Contract Finance Assistance Program (CFAP)! Contractors will learn the fundamentals of bonding, why it’s necessary for City of Los Angeles’ projects, and certifications. Click HERE to sign up.

SHERMAN OAKS NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL 20TH ANNIVERSARY MOVIE NIGHT| OCT 29 @ 5 PM | MORE INFO
Celebrate 20 years of SONC with a spooky, family-friendly celebration with live performances, games, face painting, food carts, a costume contest, and a free screening of the Halloween classic The Nightmare Before Christmas. 

NEW ONGOING PROJECT OCT-NOV 2023: LOS FELIZ WATER MAINLINE REPLACEMENT 

Date/Time: Mon to Fri 9 AM to 6 PM | Oct 2022 – Nov 2023
Location: Castilian Drive & La Presa Drive
Details: LADWP construction crews will install the mainline from Castilian Drive to La Presa Drive in five phases to minimize traffic impacts to the community. The first phase will include La Presa Drive from Outpost Drive to Castilian Drive and Cantata Drive. Local road closures will be required and vary according to work location throughout the duration of this project. Parking will be restricted during construction hours and will be made available as the crew completes street restoration.

Contact: District Engineer: Nathaniel Bautista / (213) 367-3994 / Nathaniel.Bautista@ladwp.com

Project Manager: Oscar Rodriguez / (213) 367-5682 / Oscar.Rodriguez@ladwp.com

Construction Supervisor: Dan Kirksey / 818-771-5027 / Daniel.Kirksey@ladwp.com

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