Addressing the housing crisis in Los Angeles

By Derek Milosavljevic

We can only assume that this mythology is behind our city's unwillingness to ensure an adequate and affordable housing supply for its growing population. Voters or not, renters make up about 60% of the Los Angeles population, compared to a national average of 34%. That percentage promises to keep climbing as more newcomers arrive, even as our population has surpassed the available units.

Finally, last year, the $100 million Housing Trust Fund was established by the Mayor and City Council to address the serious housing crisis. The simple matter of allocating the money, while necessary, will not be enough to solve the problem. The City Council must work to assure that this money is not mismanaged as we've seen so often in the past. A recent audit by City Controller Laura Chick found that Los Angeles Housing Department mismanagement resulted in the production of only 469 affordable housing units last year, over 100 short of its goal. Such results from the LAHD, and still over budget.

When elected to the City Council, I will:

• Be an advocate for tenants. An elected official should represent all of his constituents, not just those who contributed to his campaign, voted for him, or voted at all. I will propose and support the strengthening of the Rent Stabilization Ordinance to further limit annual rent increases, and close eviction loopholes.

• Make the Housing Trust Fund work. I will work closely with Mayor Hahn and the Trust Fund Advisory Committee to develop a plan that puts the residents of Los Angeles first, not the developers. The primary focus of the fund must be adequate housing sources for low-income families and seniors.

• Support increased city funding for the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles. Many tenants, especially non-English speakers are unfairly evicted, and without knowledge of the legal system or access to adequate representation are forced to move. Eviction proceedings should not be a foregone conclusion in favor of landlords.