Rental Relief Measure Returns to LA County Supervisors, Gains Approval and Funding Boost

A new emergency fund will provide rental relief for survivors of the Palisades and Eaton fires who are still paying for temporary housing, as well as families impacted by recent ICE raids.

Unanimous Board Approval

After a delay earlier this month, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved the Emergency Rent Relief Program on Tuesday, Sept. 16. The measure passed unanimously, 5-0.

The original motion from Sept. 2 https://www.dailynews.com/2025/09/02/la-county-supervisors-split-over-added-rent-relief-for-families-impacted-by-ice-raids/ called for $10 million. Supervisors increased that amount to $20 million over the next two fiscal years, bringing the total fund to about $30 million.

The board also asked county counsel to explore an eviction moratorium for families impacted by federal immigration raids. A report will be presented on Oct. 7.

Who the Program Helps

The program, set to launch within 90 days, extends earlier rental support created for wildfire survivors that expired in July. Many survivors of the Palisades https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2025/1/7/palisades-fire and Eaton https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2025/1/7/eaton-fire fires remain in rentals, often while still paying mortgages on destroyed homes.

Fifth District Supervisor and Board Chair Kathryn Barger emphasized the need for continued support:

“Their FEMA benefits have begun to run out, leaving them unable to stay housed. And small landlords are struggling with repairs and with their mortgages. Our county cannot allow tenants and property owners to fall into homelessness. Rent relief is also homeless protection.”

The program also covers families hurt by ICE and DHS raids. Since June 6, more than 4,000 immigrants in Los Angeles have been detained at workplaces https://www.dailybreeze.com/2025/09/11/advocates-warn-la-county-area-car-wash-operators-to-be-ready-for-more-raids-decry-ice-tactics/ and on the streets, leaving many households without their primary earners.

First District Supervisor Hilda Solis noted that many families are mixed-status, where some members are U.S. citizens.

“Many of these people have not committed any crimes,” Solis said.

Families facing lost wages and eviction notices are now eligible to apply for assistance.

Community Testimonies and Concerns

During the board meeting, residents testified about the impact of raids and delays in aid.

Emily Phillips of The Rent Brigade said:

“Every 90 days this board stalls means more families risk abduction, or risk eviction. Tenants have lost over 50% of their income since the raids started.”

Third District Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, who represents the San Fernando Valley, where several arrests have occurred, linked the urgency to a recent Supreme Court decision https://www.dailynews.com/2025/09/08/california-democrats-warn-of-implications-of-supreme-courts-immigration-order/:

“With the Supreme Court endorsing racial profiling, we must explore every possible solution to keep our community housed. We know this is necessary and we hear you.”

Program Details

The revised program provides:

Horvath summarized the intent of the measure:

“Los Angeles County will never look away when our neighbors are living in fear of losing both their homes and their livelihoods.”