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Tenants urge action on mail access, security and habitability at 17 buildings sold to Hope for an Affordable LA
Summary
Tenants and organizers told the Los Angeles City Council during public comment that residents of 15 occupied buildings recently sold to Hope for an Affordable LA lack lawful mail delivery, adequate security and working building systems, and they demanded immediate city intervention.
Dozens of tenants and housing advocates addressed the Los Angeles City Council on June 20 to demand immediate remedies for habitability and security problems at 17 buildings recently purchased by Hope for an Affordable LA.
The comments, made during the council’s public comment period, centered on two urgent demands: “immediate on-site lawful mail delivery for all 15 occupied buildings” and “restoration of 24/7 security, not armed thugs, not intimidation, but real tenant protective presence across the H A L A portfolio,” organizers said. Shamika, an organizer with Los Angeles Community Action Network (LA CAN), introduced the submitted letter and urged the council to act. Diane Z., a tenant at The Produce, said, “We haven't received our mail as of January,” and described instances of violence and lack of security in her building.
Why it matters: Tenants and organizers said the problems interfere with residents’ ability to receive mail and medical appointments, expose them to criminal activity, and violate state and federal housing standards. Speakers tied the conditions to the city’s oversight role after the sale and to the parties that signed off on the transfer of the buildings.
Multiple speakers from LA CAN and tenant groups said they have documented problems including nonworking locks, locked fire doors, broken mail delivery, mold and pest infestations, and inconsistent security. Corey Patterson, a resident of the Lincoln Hotel, said the building “still remain[s] without any kind of lock mechanism on our front door,” and called for immediate fixes to doors and mailboxes. Several tenants asked council members to require lawful, on-site mail delivery to stop residents from missing medical and legal notices.
Organizers delivered a petition and asked the council to ensure that the Housing Department, the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) and other responsible agencies enforce habitability requirements. At least one speaker referenced California Civil Code §1941.1 in describing legal obligations for habitability and said failure to provide mail may violate state and federal law.
Council reaction: During the meeting the council accepted public comment and proceeded with the agenda; members did not vote on a motion tied directly to the tenant demands during the session. Organizers said they will return with larger delegations if the conditions are not addressed.
Ending note: Tenants and organizers said they will continue to press the council and city agencies for immediate on-site mail delivery and stronger tenant protections until the claimed deficiencies in the 15 occupied buildings are resolved.
