L.A. Housing Justice Coalition
"Working to protect and expand affordable housing for low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities"
About Us
The work of the L.A. Housing Justice Coalition (formerly known as the Save Section 8 Coalition) is focused on the following:
- Educate local, LA state and national delegation on the impact of the proposed “Flexible Voucher Program.” This would include material development, dissemination and delegation visits, in coordination with the national efforts of the National Low Income Housing Coalition, among others, to advocate for expanding, not cutting the Section 8 Program.
- Educate local, LA state and national delegation on the impact of the proposed cuts to public housing, Section 811 and CDBG funds. This would include material development, dissemination and delegation visits, in coordination with the national efforts of the National Low Income Housing Coalition, among others, to advocate for expanding, not cutting these programs.
- As part of the Bring LA Home Campaign [10 year plan to end homelessness], work with other affordable housing advocates in LA to pass legislation at the state level to forcefully ensure that all communities live up to their housing elements in terms of building truly affordable housing.
- Additionally, as part of this campaign, work with other advocates to ensure a dedicated source of revenue, beyond the current $100 million LA City Housing Trust Fund, for the County of Los Angeles.
- Explore expanding policy and organizing work beyond the LA City [Housing Authority of City of LA- HACLA] to other housing authorities within LA County.
- Monitor HACLA compliance with new HACLA training on “reasonable compliance” [a recent victory of the Save Section 8 Coalition.]
- Research, write, produce and disseminate a “Know Your Rights for Section 8 Tenants” in English and Spanish.
- Hold monthly membership meetings and continue to expand membership in the coalition.
Fact Sheets
News
Rent Stablization Ordinance Amendment Approved
On Wednesday May 10th the Los Angeles City Council approved an amendment which clarifies that Section 8 vouchers are covered by the Rent Stabilization Ordinance.
This amendment will help to remedy the effects of the recent LA County Superior Court ruling in the Apartment Association of Los Angeles County, Inc. v. City of Los Angeles, January 2006. In this case the City lost a local ordinance that protected Section 8 tenants under the RSO by prohibiting owners who opt out of their Section 8 contract from raising rents more than a small % per year.
Ever since many owners in rent controlled buildings have been trying to circumvent the required process for terminating a Section 8 contract and illegally evict tenants. The Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles has received complaints from at least 5 Section 8 tenants per week who are at risk of eviction as a result of this ruling.
This is a small victory, but there is still a lot more work to do to prevent future illegal evictions of Section 8 tenants in RSO units.
Join
Contact Erin McMorrow, Community Organizer
213-439-1070 x 111 or erin@lacehh.org