What renters need to know going into the New Year | 12/24/22
Dear Friends,
This month, LA City Council voted 9-3 to end the COVID emergency on January 31st, which will also end our eviction moratorium. I voted no— during this emergency period, LA has had some of the strongest tenant protections in the US. They had demonstrable impacts on preventing evictions and homelessness.
It’s urgent that renters are informed about what this means — without good information out there, we could see more illegal evictions.
The most important thing to know about the end of LA’s eviction moratorium: you cannot be evicted for debt you accumulated during the emergency period until 6-12 months after the emergency ends. That means there should be no evictions for nonpayment due to COVID on February 1st.
If you owe back rent from March 1st, 2020 to September 30th, 2021, that rent is due by August 1st, 2023.
If you owe back rent from October 1st, 2021 to January 31st, 2023, that rent is due by February 1st, 2024. Tenants can’t be evicted for that debt prior to those dates.
In units that fall under LA’s Rent Stabilization Ordinance (apartments built before 1979), a freeze on rent increases will still be in place for a year after the emergency ends. That means no rent hikes until February 1st, 2024.
Standing with the KeepLAHoused coalition in support of strong tenant protections that can help keep vulnerable Angelenos in their homes.
With the moratorium ending, tenants are vulnerable. But we can offer better protection than what’s currently on the table. Our office has been advocating for new, permanent tenant rights that — if adopted — will help people stay in their homes. This includes:
Universal Just Cause: Just Cause means tenants can’t be evicted for no reason—a cause has to be declared from a designated list. RSO apartments are already covered, but our office moved to make the protections universal, covering about 376K more units.This ordinance has been drafted and now waits to be heard in full Council.
Making rent debt of one month or less non-evictable. COVID and its financial impacts are still interfering with people’s work schedules, making it easy to miss time and fall behind. This protection would offer badly needed housing security for so many Angelenos.
Relocation assistance for rent-gouged tenants. Non-rent controlled units in LA are seeing dizzying hikes. This motion would require landlords who raise rent by over 10% to pay a relocation fee equivalent to 3 months fair-market rent.
We have limited time to do this work — and we need your help to succeed. If you want to build a more secure LA for tenants than we had pre-pandemic, contact your Councilmember and ask them to vote to adopt the protections before the COVID emergency ends. Your advocacy means so much.
LAHD has also opened public counters for direct assistance (by appointment only). The closest locations to District 4 are:
Valley 6400 Laurel Canyon Blvd #610, North Hollywood, CA 91606
Central LA 1910 Sunset Blvd Ste 300, Los Angeles, CA 90026
To see a full list of locations and make an appointment, click HERE, or call (866) 557-RENT [7368].
And, as always, our office is available for questions and additional assistance at contactCD4@lacity.org and (213) 473-7004.
With love and wishes for a peaceful holidays,
I. Updates From CD4 — Remembering P-22, Zero-Carbon Construction in LA, Livable Communities Initiative, Old Zoo Fence, Happy Holidays From CD4! II. Community Events — LA Zoo Lights, LAPL 150th Anniversary Celebration, Free Tenants Rights Clinic, Greater LA Homeless Count III. Public Meetings & Comment Period — Draft Permanent Al Fresco Ordinance, Ventura-Cahuenga Improvements Survey, Griffith Park Pony Rides, Youth Development Survey IV. Construction & Closures — US-101 W.C Fields V. Other Helpful Links
REMEMBERING THE LEGENDARY LIFE OF P-22
Last week, Angelenos collectively mourned the news of the passing of District 4’s very own P-22, the iconic mountain lion whose impacts and legacy span the entirety of our state. With the public outpouring of appreciation for P-22, whose story inspired a generation to invest more in wildlife, conservation, safer urban design, and more, we decided to host a memorial hike in Griffith Park, where P-22 called home.
It was so special to gather in community and celebrate the life P-22 lived against all odds — and to commit to honoring his life by keeping up the momentum on all the change he inspired in our city. Be sure to read our newsletter for upcoming memorial events and further initiatives in this light soon.
SIGNED INTO LAW: ZERO-CARBON CONSTRUCTION FOR ALL NEW BUILDINGS IN LA
In February, alongside a strong coalition of climate leaders, we introduced a motion to draft an ordinance mandating zero-emission construction for all new buildings in the City of LA. Earlier this month, the FINAL ordinance was approved by the City Council, and signed into law to become effective in the New Year (and we got the pen the Mayor used to sign it into law)!
With this legislation, we are drastically transforming the physical infrastructure of Los Angeles to meet the urgency our climate crisis demands, and I’m so proud to ring in this new chapter in climate action for our City.
CELEBRATING A SHARED LIVABLE COMMUNITIES VICTORY
This month, Council adopted my motion with Councilmembers Bonin and Harris-Dawson to include the Livable Communities Initiative (LCI) in the City’s Housing Element. The LCI is a sustainable, comprehensive, and equitable plan that will incentivize the City to build critically needed housing, including affordable units, along appropriate transit-rich corridors while also investing in public infrastructure improvements. I’m excited to work with the dedicated advocates whose persistence got us to this victory to move this vision forward!
A NEW FENCE FOR THE OLD ZOO
As many visitors to Griffith Park have seen, the LA’s first Zoo was constructed into the park’s hillsides, including wrought iron bars that caged the animals into natural rock formations as well as man made cement cages. Though the history of this old facility is an interesting vestige of LA’s past that remains for visitors to Griffith Park to enjoy, new fencing was needed to secure the area and provide for additional safety. In collaboration with the Department of Recreation and Parks, my office worked to secure funding and construction of new fencing to secure areas of the Old Zoo — I’m so glad to see this finalized renovation to further make Griffith Park a safer and more enjoyable place for all.
CD4 SPOTLIGHT: CEDARS SINAI LOS FELIZ URGENT CARE
Earlier this year, my team and I had the pleasure of visiting the newly-opened Cedar-Sinai urgent care on Hillhurst Ave in Los Feliz. This complex offers urgent care for adults and children, in addition to primary care and OB-GYN care in one convenient, new building in the heart of our district! We’re heartened to see this critical care offered locally for those who live in and near CD4. For more information on the Hillhurst clinic, click HERE.
With incredible co-hosts and generous donations, we were able to collects toys and gifts in Encino and pantry staples in Silver Lake and Studio City to help make the holidays are brighter for more of our neighbors. Thank you to our phenomenal partners and community members who all make these events and initiatives possible — wishing all our CD4 communities a very happy holiday season!
DON’T MISS THE LA ZOO’S SEASONAL SPECTACULAR LIGHT INSTALLATION | NOW – JANUARY 22 | MORE INFO
L.A. Zoo Lights is back with an all-new nighttime winter attraction— L.A. Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow! The Zoo’s grounds have been transformed into an immersive landscape filled with spectacular lantern sculptures of animals among blooming flowers, towering trees, and more. For more information and to purchase tickets, click HERE.
CELEBRATE 150 YEARS OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY! | MORE INFO
The Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) celebrates 150 years serving Los Angeles with 150 days of special activities and programs, beginning December 7, 2022 through May 6, 2023.
Visit lapl.org/150 to find more activities and join the celebration.
LEARN ABOUT YOUR RIGHTS AS A RENTER WITH HUNC’S FREE SEMINAR | JANUARY 7 | MORE INFO
Join the Hollywood United Neighborhood Council and Tobener Ravenscroft for a FREE, in-person seminar in Hollywood overviewing the end of COVID-19 renter protections and general info on your rights as a renter. For more information and to register, click HERE.
REGISTER NOW FOR THE GREATER LA HOMELESS COUNT | JAN 24-26 | MORE INFO
Register now for the 2023 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count, taking place January 24-26! Volunteers will spread out across the 4,000 square miles of Los Angeles County to tally the number of unsheltered individuals, tents, vehicles, and make-shift shelters they see in their assigned census tracts.
The Count allows us to advocate for and directresources and vital services to support the needs of our unhoused neighbors. To register and learn more, visit theycountwillyou.org.
PERMANENT AL FRESCO DRAFT ORDINANCE OPEN FOR PUBLIC COMMENT | MORE INFO
The draft Permanent Al Fresco Ordinance — drafted after Council’s direction in March of this year to adopt the program —for outdoor dining on private property is now open for public comment. In addition, a fact sheet witha summary, background and frequently asked questions is also available for the public’s review.
City Planning will be hosting an informational webinar in early 2023 that will provide an overview of the draft proposal and Q&A session, followed by a separate staff level hearing later in the year where the public can provide testimony for the public record. That testimony will inform a staff report and recommendation to the City Planning Commission, and the proposed Ordinance will then be considered first by the City Council’s Planning and Land Use Management Committee, and then by the full City Council.
For more information on the Al Fresco program and next steps, click HERE. To sign up for updates, obtain information on the current status of the draft Ordinance, or provide feedback, please email AlFresco.Planning@lacity.org.
VENTURA-CAHUENGA SPECIFIC PLAN MOBILITY IMPROVEMENTS SURVEY| FLYER | SURVEY LINK
The City of LA is collecting feedback on community needs for mobility and public realm investments along the Ventura corridor! Share your input on policy goals such as access for all, safer streets, improved air quality, climate resilience, and public health. The goal is to develop a list of mobility and right-of-way investments consistent with community-defined needs and advance policy goals the community is interested in. Submit your thoughts HERE for a chance to win a raffle prize!
HELP REIMAGINE RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AT GRIFFITH PARK | MORE INFO
With the permanent closure of the Griffith Park Pony Rides, the Department of Recreation & Parks is soliciting community input on re-imagining activities that can continue to provide affordable and enjoyable experiences for Angelenos at this location.
LA YOUTH DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT’S YOUTH SURVEY | MORE INFO
The Los Angeles City Youth Development Department is gathering information about what issues LA City youth care about and how the new City of Los Angeles Youth Development Department (YDD) can support them! This feedback will shape the YDD’s first 3-year strategic plan by helping the City better understand the concerns, needs, and desires of youth in the City. City of LA residents between the ages of 12 and 25 are encouraged to fill out the form HERE.
US-101 W.C Fields Onramp Closure Date/Time: Indefinite (started Wednesday 11/23) Location: near W.C. Fields Drive & Universal Studios Blvd Details: On Wednesday, Nov. 23, Caltrans closed the WC Fields Dr. on-ramp to US-101 due to damage on a retaining wall below the ramp which poses a concern to motorist safety. Caltrans is initiating an emergency project at this time. The NB US-101 on-ramp from WC Fields Drive will be closed indefinitely.
There are TWO alternate ramps that are adjacent to the closed ramp. The alternate ramp to get onto NB US-101 will be to make a left at Universal Studios Blvd and turn right onto the ramp OR motorists can go north on Cahuenga Blvd and turn right at Universal Studios to take the loop ramps. Additionally, Caltrans has turned off the ramp meters to reduce congestion on the on-ramp. A potential reopening of the on-ramp date will be determined at a later date.
StayHoused LA — Workshops and resources to help renters stay in their homes.
Workers First App —An app for California workers! Get in touch with a worker organizer in real-time to get the information you need to feel safe and respected on the job.
MyLA311 — Submit a request for services including graffiti removal, pothole repair, and bulky-item pickup.
LA-HOP Homeless Outreach Portal — Assist or self-input an outreach request from the LA Homeless Services Authority to unhoused residents.
LA City Sanitation — Submit a service request for metal/household appliance disposal,
Alerts
NotifyLA — Sign up to receive urgent notifications about local emergencies by phone, email, and/or text message.
LAFD Alerts – Sign up for alerts on fires and evacuations in your area.
Standing with the 
Last week, Angelenos collectively mourned the news of the passing of District 4’s very own P-22, the iconic mountain lion whose impacts and legacy span the entirety of our state. With the public outpouring of appreciation for P-22, whose story inspired a generation to invest more in wildlife, conservation, safer urban design, and more, we decided to host a memorial hike in Griffith Park, where P-22 called home. 
In February, alongside a strong coalition of climate leaders, we introduced a motion to draft an ordinance mandating zero-emission construction for all new buildings in the City of LA. Earlier this month, the FINAL ordinance was approved by the City Council, and signed into law to become effective in the New Year (and we got the pen the Mayor used to sign it into law)!
This month, Council adopted my motion with Councilmembers Bonin and Harris-Dawson to include the 
As many visitors to Griffith Park have seen, the LA’s first Zoo was constructed into the park’s hillsides, including wrought iron bars that caged the animals into natural rock formations as well as man made cement cages. Though the history of this old facility is an interesting vestige of LA’s past that remains for visitors to Griffith Park to enjoy, new fencing was needed to secure the area and provide for additional safety. In collaboration with the Department of Recreation and Parks, my office worked to secure funding and construction of new fencing to secure areas of the Old Zoo — I’m so glad to see this finalized renovation to further make Griffith Park a safer and more enjoyable place for all. 
Earlier this year, my team and I had the pleasure of visiting the newly-opened 
This month, our office has been awash in holiday spirit! We joined 
L.A. Zoo Lights is back with an all-new nighttime winter attraction— 
Join the Hollywood United Neighborhood Council and Tobener Ravenscroft for a FREE, in-person seminar in Hollywood overviewing the end of COVID-19 renter protections and general info on your rights as a renter. For more information and to register, click 
Register now for the 2023 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count, taking place January 24-26! Volunteers will spread out across the 4,000 square miles of Los Angeles County to tally the number of unsheltered individuals, tents, vehicles, and make-shift shelters they see in their assigned census tracts. 
