Posted on 09/11/2024
The City Council approved a report from the Housing and Homelessness Committee, requesting the City Attorney to prepare and present a revised ordinance establishing the City’s “Right to Counsel Program.”
Each year, thousands of City residents face eviction proceedings without legal representation and are at serious risk of becoming homeless. This program, which will be established and operated by the Housing Department, aims to provide eviction defense funding for eligible tenants. To qualify for the program, tenants must (1) reside in the City of Los Angeles, (2) earn at or below 80 percent of the area median income for the Los Angeles metropolitan area, as demonstrated by HUD’s income limits for Los Angeles current at the time of the tenant’s request for counsel, and (3) not reside in the same dwelling unit as their landlord.
Landlords are also required to provide a notice of the Right to Counsel Program Ordinance in English and other commonly spoken languages in common areas.
The ordinance is to be revised and brought back to the full Council for consideration. To read more, click here.