City Controller Kenneth Mejia’s office reported Monday that the Los Angeles Housing Department received nearly 50,000 eviction notifications between February and August.
Eviction notice for unpaid rent of occupants. (Source: Unsplash)
Overdue Rents Notification Sent to L.A. Housing Department
The L.A. Housing Department reported roughly 40,000 eviction notifications from February to July, which the controller’s office analyzed. Eviction filings increased in August, according to housing department data. The update comprised 5,575 eviction notices filed in August and 4,748 mail-in notifications from February to July. The housing agency received 49,974 eviction requests since February. The controller’s office said that 96% of eviction filings were for non-payment of rent, 91% had a 3-day notice and represented $186.5 million in unpaid rent. Eviction notifications were most common in 09928 Hollywood (3,585), 90036 Fairfax (2,458), and 91367 Woodland Hills (2,099). The top three council districts with eviction files are the 14th, 13th, and 3rd Districts, represented by Kevin de León, Hugo Soto-Martinez, and Bob Blumenfield.
About 19,325 renters who got an eviction filing owe more than $3,000 in overdue rent, 15,652 owe $2,000 to $3,000, and 9,776 owe $1,000 to $2,000. The city’s Just Cause Ordinance prohibits landlords from evicting tenants with rent below one month of Fair Market Rent. However, 6,062 eviction notices were filed with rent below Fair Market Rent, the controller’s office reported. Los Angeles began its Emergency tenants Assistance Program this month to help low-income tenants at risk of homelessness due to COVID-19 or other financial issues pay back rent.
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L.A. City Council Grants Rent Protection
A six-month aid program sponsored by Measure ULA, the “mansion tax,” is available. Renters can apply online at housing.lacity.org or by phone at 888-379-3150 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The application period began Tuesday at 8 a.m. and ended Oct. 2 at 6 p.m.
The L.A. City Council front-funded a $150 million Measure ULA plan to protect tenants and boost affordable housing in August. Measure ULA imposes a 4% sales tax on properties over $5 million and 5.5% on those over $10 million. Sales tax income funds renters safeguards like rental assistance, eviction defense, and affordable housing. Back-rent protections for the pandemic from March 2020 to September 2021 expired on Aug. 1, and many Angelenos may be evicted while paying their rent.
From October 2021 to Jan. 31, tenants have till February 2024 to pay rent. Starting Oct. 23, the Housing Department will offer mom-and-pop landlords financial aid online. The city will accept applications from small landlords with 12 or less units
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