Council approves funding to bolster multifamily-housing inspections after Echo Park collapse
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Summary
The council approved funding intended to address shortfalls in multifamily housing inspections after a fatal apartment collapse in Echo Park; members emphasized the need to meet promised response-time targets for emergency and complaint inspections.
The Los Angeles City Council approved funding on Friday to help restore promised inspection response times for multifamily housing after members cited last year's Echo Park apartment collapse as evidence of a shortfall in inspections.
Why it matters: Councilmembers recalled the Echo Park apartment collapse and warned that other aging multifamily buildings could pose public-safety risks if inspection staffing or funding remains inadequate. The funding is intended to reduce the backlog and allow inspectors to meet previously announced response targets for emergencies and complaints.
Discussion and context: Councilmember Garcetti reminded colleagues that the council had pledged to inspect units within 72 hours for complaints and within 24 hours for emergencies; he said the city was "not meeting that" target and urged the council to ensure inspections proceed promptly despite budget constraints.
Outcome: The funding measure was approved by the council (voice recorded as 10 ayes). The transcript does not provide a detailed line-item budget in the speaking record; council members emphasized the public-safety rationale for the allocation and urged staff to prioritize inspections in the coming months.
Ending: Council members said the allocation should help prevent future tragedies and requested that inspections meet the timelines the council had promised.
