Housing committee approves ordinance modifications to protect tenants affected by January fires

The City of Los Angeles Housing and Homelessness Committee on Feb. 5 voted to advance a package of modifications instructing the Los Angeles Housing Department to draft an ordinance that would bar certain evictions for tenants who can show economic or medical hardship related to the January 2025 fires and implement a temporary pause on rent increases.

The measure, moved by Councilmember Hernández with amendments from Councilmember Soto Martínez, was debated at length during a 45-minute public comment period and passed the committee as modified after a series of roll-call votes on individual amendments and clarifying language. Committee members approved two substantive modifications (known in the record as 15D and 15E) and declined other changes proposed at the meeting; a proposed change to shorten the protection window failed on a 2–2 tie. The final, amended motion was approved by the committee and will be returned as ordinance language drafted by city staff and the City Attorney for the full Council to consider.

Why it matters: Tenants and tenant advocates said the ordinance is needed immediately to prevent displacement of residents who lost income, jobs or habitability because of the fires. Property owners and industry groups warned that broad moratoria or long-term eviction defenses can deter investment, harm small landlords and reduce housing supply.

What the committee directed and debated The committee instructed Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD) staff and the City Attorney to prepare ordinance language that would (a) provide an affirmative defense in unlawful detainer cases for tenants who attest or demonstrate economic or medical harm tied to the January fires, (b) implement a temporary pause on rent increases for covered units and…