Los Angeles council deadlocks on wildfire rent-protections after heated debate; narrow landlord measures pass

Los Angeles City Council members debated a string of competing proposals on Feb. 14 aimed at shielding tenants affected by recent wildfires from eviction and rent debt, but the chamber did not adopt a final ordinance.

The council approved two narrow recommendations aimed at smaller landlords but did not win enough votes to adopt the broader package of tenant protections that had been amended several times on the floor. Councilmembers and dozens of public commenters traded sharply different accounts of the likely effects on small housing providers and wildfire survivors.

Councilmember Eunice Hernandez, who led a series of amendments, said the changes aimed to limit displacement while preventing widespread abuse. “If you do not provide that proof, then you can’t benefit from this,” Hernandez said, describing a requirement that tenants document loss of income tied to the fires.

Supporters said the measure would give people who lost jobs or homes in the blazes time to stabilize and would cap debt to a brief period of unpaid rent. Christina Boyer, an attorney with Public Counsel who identified herself as part of KeepLAHoused, urged the council to act immediately:…