Council approves refunds from Rent Escrow program as Mayfair tenants relocate

The Los Angeles City Council on Tuesday approved a package of Rent Escrow Account Program (REAP) resolutions that release escrowed funds and reimburse tenants for multiple properties, including payouts tied to the Mayfair Apartments settlement.

The actions, taken by voice vote, cleared REAP items 31 through 54 and were adopted by a 10-0 tally. The resolutions authorize return of tenant escrow funds and related administrative actions connected to enforcement and settlement agreements under the city's REAP process.

Council members and attorneys said the actions follow enforcement and settlement work on buildings found to have hazardous or substandard conditions. "This happy ending simply could not have occurred without the support and the leadership of the City Of Los Angeles," said Mark Adams, the attorney who represented Mayfair tenants in litigation and negotiated the settlement. Adams told the council that more than 20 families were moving out of the Mayfair Apartments the same day and that others would be placed in new subsidized units.

The council's action follows months of code enforcement and litigation. Councilmember Jan Goldberg (speaker at the meeting) and city staff were cited repeatedly during the hearing for work that led to the settlement and repairs. City attorney staff and Housing Department enforcement personnel were also credited in remarks for helping secure tenant relief and remediation.

Mark Adams said many tenants receiving refunds are using the proceeds to move into safer housing, with some planned moves into Casa Verde, a new project developed by Hollywood Community Housing Corporation. Wells Fargo staff were on site, Adams said, to assist tenants opening accounts and accepting settlement checks.

The council's vote on the REAP items was taken in a block vote after the public hearing. The council directed the relevant administrative staff to carry out the disbursements and follow standard clerk and accounting procedures for REAP refunds.

The vote completes one stage of enforcement remedies for buildings placed in REAP; it does not itself impose new repairs beyond existing settlement obligations or new inspections. Council members said they expect continued enforcement work on other properties found to be seriously substandard.

Copies of the adopted REAP resolutions and instructions to the housing and accounting units will be filed with the City Clerk and the Housing Department for processing.

Ending: Council members said the REAP approvals were an example of cross-departmental work — legal, housing inspection, and nonprofit partners — producing immediate relief for affected tenants, and that enforcement will continue elsewhere across the city.