The county Board of Supervisors Tuesday unanimously approved the creation of a roughly $30 million emergency rent-relief program to assist people still dealing with income or home loss from the January wildfires, and those financially affected by recent federal immigration- enforcement actions.
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The county had previously established eviction-protection measures and a rent relief program for people affected by the wildfires, identifying $10 million to fund the effort.
But according to a motion by Supervisors Lindsey Horvath and Hilda Solis that went before the board Tuesday, initial demand for the rent-relief funds was lower than anticipated among wildfire victims, but the need for relief was expected to continue as residents exhaust earlier support they received through FEMA or their insurance carriers. Small landlords are also in need of continued mortgage assistance as they work to repair fire-damaged properties so their tenants can return, according to the motion.
"Additionally, our region is bearing the brunt of volatile federal actions," the motion states. "Aggressive immigration enforcement in our neighborhoods and workplaces spreads fear and disrupts our communities and the economy. Thousands of families have lost their primary breadwinners due to raids; thousands more fear going to work, school, and even the grocery store for fear of being detained. Cuts to our social safety net programs and other federal policy changes are leaving our most vulnerable Angelenos even more in need and at risk of losing their housing."
The original motioned calls for the establishment of a roughly $20 million relief program, offering rental assistance for people who have lost income due to their employment being impacted by the wildfires, people who were displaced from their homes due to the fires, and people experiencing economic hardship due to federal immigration raids.
The proposal would take the initial $10 million rent-relief allocation and split it between wildfire- and immigration-affected residents. It also calls for the use of another $9.8 million in Affordable Housing Trust Fund money to be used mainly for immigration-impacted residents, although some of that money could also be provided to wildfire victims if there is still "unmet need."
During debate on the issue, supervisors increased funding for the program by an additional $10 million, with those dollars also coming from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, to be allocated to the various categories of eligible tenants and landlords. The board also increased caps on the amount of funds that will be available to individual applicants.
"By raising the rent relief caps from $5,000 to $15,000 to cover up to six months of rent and adding $10 million to the overall program, we're giving families real breathing room," Supervisor Kathryn Barger said. "Equally important, these amendments direct our county to gather critical data so we can make smarter, more informed decisions about housing stability. My goal is straightforward: to keep people in their homes and give them stability as they rebuild their lives."
Supervisor Janice Hahn said county residents were dealing with "two unprecedented disasters" -- the wildfires and the immigration raids. She said immigration enforcement raids were having a definite impact on many people who fear going to work or even leaving their homes.
"It's not an unfounded fear," she said. "The videos we have seen of agents slamming hard-working people at car washes and Home Depots to the ground..."
She added, "These are not criminals that this administration is targeting. These are hardworking people we have come to depend on in our community."
The board also asked county attorneys to report back in two weeks on the possibility of imposing an eviction moratorium or other tenant protections in response to immigration enforcement activities.
"With federal enforcement actions likely to continue, emboldened by the September 8th Supreme Court decision that seemingly allows for continued racial profiling, the county must do everything it can to protect our vulnerable families," that motion -- also by Horvath and Solis -- stated.
Both proposals were strongly backed by multiple community and advocacy groups including the Los Angeles Tenants Union.
"Since June, LATU along with dozens of community organizations have implored L.A.'s leadership to respond to the humanitarian and economic crises (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) has created by providing immediate relief for the working class, including rental assistance and an eviction moratorium for tenants and small businesses," LATU officials said in a statement. "The Board of Supervisors has the power to protect millions of Angelenos from displacement, detention, or death -- under expanded powers provided by the state of emergency created during January's Eaton and Palisades fires, the supervisors have jurisdiction of over 88 cities in the county, including the city of Los Angeles."
The rent-relief program will cover tenants and landlords countywide -- in both incorporated cities and unincorporated areas.
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