The number of eviction notices filed in Los Angeles County has seen a dramatic increase in recent months, with the total reaching 49,974 between February and August 2023, according to data analyzed by the Los Angeles Housing Department. These statistics were confirmed by the LA Controller's Office, which found that 96% of the filings were related to non-payment of rent, amounting to a collective owed sum of $186.5 million, according to KTLA.
Tenants in the county had accrued varying amounts of back rent, with approximately 19,325 renters owing more than $3,000, around 15,652 owing between $2,000 to $3,000, and about 9,776 owing between $1,000 to $2,000. However, the city's Just Cause Ordinance states that a landlord cannot evict a tenant if the amount due is less than one month of Fair Market Rent, but 6,062 eviction notices were filed where the amount of rent owed fell below the Fair Market Rent limit, noted the controller's office, as per Fox LA.
As mentioned in another KTLA article, neighborhoods and zip codes throughout Los Angeles County have been affected disproportionately. In particular, there have been eviction "hot spots" in Hollywood, Fairfax, Woodland Hills, Westlake, and downtown Los Angeles.
To combat this sharp increase in evictions, the city of Los Angeles has implemented several initiatives, including the establishment of an Emergency Renters Assistance Program, which aims to provide financial assistance to low-income renters at risk of homelessness due to COVID-19 or other hardships. The program is funded by Measure ULA funds, also known as the "mansion tax," and offers up to six months of assistance. Interested renters can apply online at housing.lacity.org or by calling 888-379-3150, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
The application period for the Emergency Renters Assistance Program opened last Sunday, September 24 and will close next week, October 2. To be eligible for assistance, residents must have a household income at or below 80% of the area median income, have experienced financial hardships between March 2020 and now, and have unpaid rent owed to their current landlord for any months within this timeframe.
In addition, the LA City Council approved funding for a $150 million plan in August, aimed at supporting affordable housing and tenant protections, including rental assistance programs, eviction defense, and more, as per Fox LA. Measure ULA imposes a 4% sales tax on properties exceeding $5 million and a 5.5% sales tax on properties exceeding $10 million, with the revenue devoted to renter protections and affordable housing initiatives.
