The creation of a new, temporary disaster rental assistance program intended to help survivors of January's wildfires using Measure ULA dollars has been delayed, it was announced Thursday.
Commission staff for the United to House L.A. Citizen Oversight Committee reported the program will be delayed a minimum of six months as a result of a contract that fell through.
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Additionally, an ongoing effort to consolidate four departments into one has also impacted the COC's work. Mayor Karen Bass instructed for the Departments of Aging, Economic and Workforce Development and Youth Development to be folded into the Community and Family Investment Department as part of solutions to address a roughly $1 billion deficit, which city officials were able to close.
The City Council backed the mayor's decision, but requested further discussion about how to approach such action or to consider whether it was the right move.
COC staff said they were working with the Aging department and CFID on the disaster program but must now reassess how they will move forward.
"We were aiming to submit our report to launch the emergency program to council by early next month. Due to these unforeseen circumstances, we are having to pivot our approach at this time. I unfortunately do not have an estimate of when we can reopen applications, but we will definitely report back at the next COC meeting," Regina Alcazar, an analyst with the Housing Department said.
Staff anticipated the disaster rent relief program to assist 1,000 households once it's online.
The program would be similar to an existing rental assistance program mandated by Measure ULA.
COC members were prepared to advance the framework and eligibility criteria for the emergency initiative, called the ULA Disaster Relief Interim Income Support Program.
They tabled the matter to their next meeting scheduled for November as staff evaluate how to move forward.
Following the wildfires, Los Angeles City Councilwoman Traci Park, who represents Pacific Palisades, introduced a motion with the intent of tapping Measure ULA funds for a $15 million disaster rental assistance program.
In the fall of 2022, Los Angeles voters approved Measure ULA, a tax on property sales exceeding $5 million aimed at funding affordable housing and homelessness prevention initiatives. It also mandated the creation of a COC tasked with overseeing compliance and monitoring the measure's eligible uses.
As of August, the measure has generated roughly $830 million, funding initiatives such as short-term emergency assistance, income support for rent- burdened at-risk seniors and people with disabilities, eviction defense and prevention, tenant outreach and education, and protections from tenant harassment.
Dollars have also been used to support housing development, acquisition and rehabilitation of existing units and homeownership opportunities, among other things.
The COC established an $11 million Interim Income Support Program, of which $1.2 million is used for administrative costs. Approximately 494 households received $20K in aid through the program for a total of $9.8 million, according to a report from the commission.
"The City Council may approve or deny a temporary allocation recommendation from the COC, or even reallocate funding from one category to another one that is not in the COC recommendations, but only after the COC makes initial recommendations," according to a report from the City Attorney's Office.
Long-term changes can be considered starting July 1, 2033, and every 10th year thereafter.
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