DISTRICT 4 Newsletters

What will it take to actually build social housing in LA?

Dear friend, 

It is no secret that our affordable housing and eviction crises are some of the biggest issues facing the City of Los Angeles. While there has been real progress made in the last few years, including streamlining affordable housing production and passing the strongest tenant protections in four decades, rents are still very high, and home ownership continues to be out of reach for many Angelenos. 

Measure ULA, which voters overwhelmingly passed in 2022, gives us tools to directly address this issue. One of ULA’s mandates requires that the City spend a percentage of the “House LA Fund” on permanently affordable housing where tenants have the right to participate in their building’s governance. This model of housing, known as social housing, has been implemented in cities such as Paris and Vienna. Unlike market-driven models, social housing can create permanent housing affordability, and even provide pathways to homeownership.

However, in order to build these units, we have to find a new kind of financing model. Existing financing models simply will not work, especially the cumbersome process of financing affordable housing. That’s why my office introduced a motion in partnership with Councilmembers Marqueece Harris-Dawson and Eunisses Hernandez to research and come up with the financing models that can generate social housing in LA. And this week, Council unanimously adopted that motion! 

Our legislation directs the City to identify strategic financing tools that achieve the goals of social housing: permanent affordability at all income levels, resident governance, and pathways to ownership. It also ensures that we are doing this work in partnership with banks, developers, and community organizations. 

Why is this a big deal? Because too often, we at the City are focused exclusively on addressing the emergencies in front of us: homelessness, evictions, and housing insecurity. The money from ULA gives us an opportunity to do more to address the root cause of these emergencies: the lack of permanently affordable housing. We have seen these alternative housing models work in cities across the globe where, by prioritizing affordability and putting people first, social housing has provided long-term solutions to help keep costs low and empower residents. 

I know we can do the same here in Los Angeles, and I am eager to continue working innovatively to build affordable housing for everyone!

With hope, 

Nithya 

I. Updates from City Hall — Developing More Efficient Mechanisms To Utilize Time Limited Subsidies For People Experiencing Homelessness, Saying Goodbye To Our Summer Planning Intern

II. In The District — Joining The Hollywood Knolls Community Club Annual BBQ, Closing Out Our Summer Night Movie Series With SONC, Riding Our New Protected Bike Lanes Down Hollywood Blvd.

III. Upcoming Events —Touch-A-Truck Family Event, Wildfire Safety Fair

IV. Resources & Forums — Metro K Line Extension: Public Comment & Community Mtg, Join Metro’s Public Safety Advisory Committee, San Fernando Valley Business Summit, Sidewalk Assessment Stakeholder Survey, Southwest Valley Community Plans Update Feedback Form, Register For PlayLA Youth Fall Sports Leagues And Clinics

V. Construction & Closures — Thrasher Ave Resurfacing, Hopen Place Resurfacing, Blue Jay Drive Resurfacing

VI. Other Helpful Links 

DEVELOPING MORE EFFICIENT MECHANISMS TO UTILIZE TIME LIMITED SUBSIDIES FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS

Time Limited Subsidies, often referred to as TLS, are subsidies utilized in the City of Los Angeles to assist individuals experiencing homelessness to lease market-rate housing units. They are a proven model for reducing homelessness, allowing individuals to move into permanent housing quickly while receiving case management services to further stabilize them. 

For years, however, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) has experienced difficulties finding available rental units and has struggled to adequately staff the TLS program to its full capacity. These challenges have resulted in slowing the pace at which individuals can move from interim housing into permanent homes, with the added consequence that the City’s critical but small supply of interim shelter beds continue to be occupied for too long by people who are eligible for permanent housing. 

This week, I introduced a motion intended to remove these barriers by developing strategies to improve utilization of Time Limited Subsidies and create more efficient mechanisms to permanently house individuals. If the City of Los Angeles is going to solve its homelessness crisis, we need to fundamentally re-work the system to swiftly and effectively distribute and put these subsidies into place. 

SAYING GOODBYE TO OUR SUMMER PLANNING INTERN

This summer, we had the distinct pleasure of hosting Laura Mendez as an intern on our planning team! In partnership with the USC Gould School of Law’s Housing Law and Policy Clinic and Professor Deepika Sharma, Laura spent two months with our office, learning the ins and outs of city planning and working firsthand with tenants in need of assistance. 

In Laura’s words, “ I began my internship with limited knowledge about the city’s operations and the council office’s role in the community. Thanks to the guidance and mentorship I received at CD4, I now have a deep understanding of how to navigate city systems to serve tenants in need, as well as firsthand experience of how policy can address systemic barriers that tenants face. I leave CD4 with great appreciation for the work being done by their housing team. I am incredibly grateful to Councilmember Raman and her team for fostering a welcoming environment and allowing me to feel valued while also being of service. I will always cherish the memories and friendships I’ve made.”

Thank you, Laura, for your time with our team and helping to uplift tenants from across the district!

JOINING THE HOLLYWOOD KNOLLS COMMUNITY CLUB ANNUAL BBQ

Earlier this month, my staff joined the Hollywood Knolls Community Club for their annual neighborhood BBQ. Originating back to 1939, the HKCC started as a garden club and social organization for residents of the Hollywood Knolls and has grown to include Lakeridge Estates and the Hollywood Manor. Representing approximately 750 households, the HKCC is now the oldest hillside residents’ association in Los Angeles!

This annual BBQ is an opportunity for residents to not only connect with one another, but also with their field deputy – their voice and advocate at City Hall. Our Hollywood Hills field deputy filled the community in on the progress we’ve been able to achieve, including the 38% reduction in unsheltered homelessness we’ve seen in CD4, our efforts to address longstanding RV encampments, our continued advocacy to address party houses and short term rental regulations, and so much more.

The success we’ve achieved is a testament to what we can accomplish when we come together with a shared vision and commitment. From reducing homelessness to keeping our neighborhoods safe, every step forward has been a collective effort and we remain committed to keeping this progress going!

I want to thank our gracious hosts Emily and Bill Martin for opening their home to us. I also want to congratulate and thank former HKCC President Daniel Savage for his many years of service to the community!

CLOSING OUT OUR SUMMER NIGHT MOVIE SERIES WITH SONC

We joined the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council for one last evening at the Van Nuys Sherman Oaks park to close out our summer movie series! 

My staff tabled at the event, connecting with neighbors, sharing resources on how we can help support community initiatives and improvements, and collecting feedback for our VNSO Park survey. After months of outreach and engagement, we are excited to report that we had over 500 community members share their feedback with us! 

Hearing from so many of you highlights just how much of a central role the Van Nuys Sherman Oaks Park plays in Council District 4. We look forward to reviewing your responses and turning them into community-based and data-driven improvements to make the VNSO Park an even greater asset for the region. With your feedback, we will explore opportunities to enhance the park’s facilities, such as potentially creating a dog park, enhancing the park’s exercise area, and more.

RIDING OUR NEW PROTECTED BIKE LANES AT CICLAVIA HOLLYWOOD 

After an inaugural bike ride down our new protected bike lanes along Hollywood Boulevard at our ribbon cutting ceremony, we hit the pavement again with the CicLAvia community for their “Meet the Hollywoods” ride! 

Over the last 14 years, CicLAvia has been opening streets across Los Angeles to bring people together from far and wide to experience the city in a new light. CicLAvia has made it possible for us to imagine a different future for how we get around in Los Angeles, a future in which driving is not your only option. 

I got to bring my twins Karna and Kaveri, who rode alongside me and my husband as we met friends and neighbors along the route. It was wonderful to see the community taking advantage of the new bike lanes and see first-hand how these investments along the corridor are already helping people experience Hollywood Blvd more safely. As Phase 2 begins, this corridor will grow and thrive, establishing a safe and vibrant east-west corridor for central LA.

Thanks to all of you, CicLAvia has become an integral part of our city’s cultural landscape. To everyone who contributes, volunteers, organizes, and shows up, event after event, year after year – thank you for helping us to envision a Los Angeles that benefits everyone.

TOUCH-A-TRUCK FAMILY EVENT | SEPTEMBER 7 | MORE INFO

ONEgeneration is excited to present their upcoming 2nd annual Touch-A-Truck event on Saturday, September 7th. Bring the family to see and experience all types of Trucks, Utility Vehicles and more….climb in and learn about our essential services!

  • DATE: Saturday, September 7
  • TIME: 8AM to 12PM
  • LOCATION: ONEgeneration
  • 17400 Victory Blvd, Encino, CA 91406

WILDFIRE SAFETY FAIR | SEPTEMBER 14 | MORE INFO

Our office has partnered with MySafe:LA to host a one-day wildfire safety fair in Los Feliz on Saturday, September 14th from 11AM – 2PM. 

With wildfire season officially upon us, we hope you’ll join us to learn about wildfire preparedness and prevention from expert speakers, and ask your questions to representatives from organizations including MySafe:LA, LAFD, LAPD, LADWP, LA’s Emergency Management Department, and the California Department of Insurance. 

  • DATE: Saturday, September 14
  • TIME: 11AM – 2PM
  • LOCATION: Lycée International de Los Angeles, 4155 Russell Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Click HERE to RSVP! 

METRO K LINE EXTENSION: PUBLIC COMMENT & COMMUNITY MTG | SEPTEMBER 4-5 | MORE INFO

The Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the K Line Northern Extension Project is now available, and we need your input! This project is designed to link communities from the South Bay to Hollywood, enhancing transit options and boosting employment opportunities, especially for Equity-Focused Communities (EFC). The Draft EIR explores three potential underground light rail routes and the public comment period is now open through September 5, 2024.

To share your thoughts, please email klinenorth@metro.net. 

Additionally, a new community meeting has been scheduled for September 4th at Nate Holden Performing Arts Center (4718 W Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90016) from 6PM to 8PM. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to influence the future of our transit system! 

  • DATE: Wednesday, September 4
  • TIME: 6PM to 8PM
  • LOCATION: Nate Holden Performing Arts Center
  • 4718 W Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90016

JOIN METRO’S PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE | SEPTEMBER 6 | MORE INFO

Metro is seeking applicants to participate in our transit Public Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC). We know that safety is a complex topic with no single definition, and the PSAC’s contributions are key to ensuring that everyone feels safe, welcomed, and respected in our system.  

The PSAC is made up of 15 people and meets monthly over a two-year term, with the potential for additional subcommittee meetings. Metro is looking for seven individuals who can contribute their relevant experience, not only as riders, but also as experts in racial justice, equitable transit, public safety reform, law enforcement, victims’ rights, mental health, homelessness and social services. We’re also interested in ensuring that perspectives of youth, women, seniors and people living with disabilities are represented.  

SAN FERNANDO VALLEY BUSINESS SUMMIT | SEPTEMBER 12 | MORE INFO

The Los Angeles Mayor’s Office of Business and Economic Development kindly invites you to the 2024 San Fernando Valley Small Business Summit in Partnership with VICA. This FREE in-person event will be held on Thursday, September 12, 2024 at the Soraya Performing Arts Center at California State University, Northridge (CSUN) from 8:00 am to 12:30 pm. 

The event will include:

  • A fireside chat with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass
  • A panel discussion on traditional & untraditional ways to access capital for your business
  • A panel on procurement, getting ready for contracting, certification, and expert advice
  • A resource expo with business support resources to help you with your business plan, navigating the city, banking, legal aid, and more.

 

  • DATE: Thursday, September 12
  • TIME: 8AM – 12:30PM
  • LOCATION: Soraya Performing Arts Center at California State University, Northridge, 18111 Nordhoff St, Northridge, CA 91325
  • Click HERE to RSVP! 

SIDEWALK ASSESSMENT STAKEHOLDER SURVEY | MORE INFO

The Bureau of Engineering recently kicked off a Pedestrian Facilities Inventory and Condition Assessment Pilot Project to identify the minimum requirements, needs, technologies, and costs required to perform a citywide inventory and assessment of pedestrian facilities within the public right-of-way.

Inventorying and assessing pedestrian facilities is a key component of the City’s obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA requires the City to prepare a Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan that identifies accessibility barriers and describes how the City will remediate those barriers over time. 

A citywide inventory and assessment will also help the City make more strategic investment decisions regarding pedestrian infrastructure to advance the City’s mobility, sustainability, and safety goals.

BOE is undertaking a stakeholder survey to help better understand constituent perspectives and priorities about pedestrian facilities. You can complete the survey HERE!

SOUTHWEST COMMUNITY PLANS UPDATE FEEDBACK FORM | MORE INFO

Since early April, the Southwest Valley Community Plans Update (SWV CPU) team has been gathering feedback on the recently released draft Land Use chapter of the Policy Plan, draft Interactive Zoning Map, and updated draft General Plan Land Use Designation Map for the three Southwest Valley Community Plan Areas. 

The team has attended local community events and presented to stakeholder groups, such as Neighborhood Council Land Use Committees. The presentations focused on sharing the policy direction and describing the draft zoning proposals. Please see here for presentation and outreach materials shared over the course of this time.  

The Department looks forward to continuing to meet with stakeholder groups and attend local events. If you would like to invite the Plan Update team to your group or event, please reach out at planning.swvalley@lacity.org.

Any questions or feedback can be sent to the project team at planning.swvalley@lacity.org or through this online Feedback Form.

Please visit our recently updated project website to review the draft proposals and sign-up to receive updates by email about upcoming events.

REGISTER FOR PLAYLA YOUTH FALL SPORTS LEAGUES AND CLINICS | MORE INFO

Thanks to the LA28 Olympics and Paralympic Games commitment, the PlayLA Youth and Adaptive Youth Sports Program is providing affordable and accessible sports programming to kids of all abilities throughout Los Angeles. From flag football to springboard diving, our leagues and clinics offer a fantastic opportunity for children to learn new skills, make friends, and stay active in a fun and supportive environment. 

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN for PlayLA Fall programming! Visit www.laparks.org and download the LA Parks app, to jump into our PlayLA Fall Sports Leagues and Clinics for youth ages 3-17! For qualifying families, the program is offered for just $10.00.

HOLLYWOOD 

Thrasher Avenue, Resurfacing

  • DATE/TIME: August 21, 2024 – September 10, 2024, 6:30AM – 4:00PM 
  • LOCATION: Thrasher Ave. from Rising Glen Road to Oriole Drive 

Hopen Place, Resurfacing

  • DATE/TIME: August 27, 2024 – September 4, 2024, 6:30AM – 4:00PM 
  • LOCATION: Hopen Place, Blue Jay Way to Dead end west of Blue Jay Way

Blue Jay Way, Resurfacing

  • DATE/TIME: August 26, 2024 – September 6, 2024, 6:30AM – 4:00PM 
  • LOCATION: Blue Jay Way, Dead end north of Hopen Place to Thrasher Avenue

DETAILS: The first phase will require the preparation of the existing roadway by cold milling the street. The final phase will require the paving of the existing roadway and resurfacing the street. If the project length is delayed, you will be notified of the reason for the delay and of the revised completion date.

While the project is in progress, “Temporary No Parking Signs” will be posted on the street. The signs will be posted at least 24 hours before the actual work begins to provide notice to residents and business owners. Please have all vehicles removed from the street to protect them from damage by construction debris and to prevent interference with the planned work. When work is not in progress between the preparation and resurfacing phases the signs will be reversed to allow for vehicular parking. 

Vehicles will have access during the cold milling of the project. However, it is requested that driving be limited within the project area to avoid possible damage to your vehicle. The only time that access will be restricted within the project area is when the street is coated with liquid asphalt, prior to the resurfacing of the street.

When the crews are working, there will be construction equipment and trucks in the area. This equipment may be of interest to children. Remind residents to be careful and ask children to avoid the equipment and work-site area.

Thank you for your understanding and patience during this project. Persons with mobility impediments and their caregivers can request assistance if the scheduled street work limits their use (including ingress or egress) of the public right of way. If you have questions or need to request an accommodation, contact the supervisor on the project site or call (213) 485-5561 or (213) 847-3200.

Our Office:

Services + Resources

  • Food Pantry Locator — Get connected to food resources near you. 
  • StayHoused LA — Workshops and resources to help renters stay in their homes. 
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Ready Your LA Business Workbook – City of LA’s FREE workbook to help business owners prepare their business for any emergency. Available in English and Spanish.

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.
  • LADWP Outage Info — Sign up for outage alerts in your area.
  • StreetsLA Street Sweeping — Register for notifications about sweeping in your neighborhoods.