LA City Council to Vote on Using ULA Funds for Wildfire Rent Relief
LA City Council to Vote on Using ULA Funds for Wildfire Rent Relief
The Los Angeles City Council will vote on Tuesday, April 1, on whether to use $15 million from the United to House LA Fund to support renters affected by the January wildfires.
Measure ULA, passed by voters in November 2022, was created to support long-term affordable housing. The proposal would redirect part of that funding for emergency rental relief. It also asks city staff to report on additional ways to use Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) funds.
Councilmembers Bob Blumenfield, Traci Park, John Lee, and Heather Hutt introduced the motion.
Supporters say this move is needed to protect tenants and small landlords who are still recovering from the wildfires.
“Redirecting existing funds already designated for housing assistance toward emergency rental assistance is a practical and effective way to prevent evictions and not place the burden on mom and pop rental providers who often carry the financial burden in the wake of disasters,” said Councilmember John Lee in a statement released Monday, March 31.
He added, “I fully support this reallocation as a logical step to keep our communities stable and help residents recover.”
Not everyone agrees with the plan.