Community-based organizations, tenants and eviction-defense attorneys urged the Los Angeles City Council to extend and fully fund the city’s contract for tenant legal and rental-assistance services, widely referred to in testimony as “Stay Housed LA” or “Statehouse LA.” Dozens of people spoke during the public‑comment period, describing how the program helped them avoid eviction and asking the council to renew the contract immediately.

Speakers from ACE, Sage, Inner City Law Center and other community‑based organizations said the contract supports legal representation, rental assistance and “know your rights” education for tenants — services they said are crucial as rents rise and as immigrant and low‑income households face eviction. Several tenants gave first‑person accounts of avoiding evictions because they received legal help through the program.

Eviction‑defense attorneys said community awareness and legal representation prevent improper evictions and reduce homelessness; one attorney said he could personally manage as a lawyer for a few months without the contract but that the community‑level services and rental-assistance funds are indispensable.

Council action and vote

Item 32 was considered as amended by a motion labeled 32a (introduced by Councilmembers Jurado and Soto‑Martinez, per the clerk). The clerk called the roll on item 32 as amended and announced the tally: "5 ayes." The transcript does not record a larger majority on the floor for the amendment; the clerk reported that Councilmember Price was recused from the item.

Public comment and context

During an extended public comment period the council heard multiple speakers representing tenant‑advocacy groups and people who credited the program with preventing their eviction. Commenters also asked the council to consider a public‑banking motion that supporters argue could create new local financing tools for housing and community investment.

What the record shows

- Community groups asked the council to extend or make permanent the Stay Housed LA contract so that tenants can continue to access legal aid, rental assistance and outreach.
- The clerk recorded that an amended motion (32a) was introduced and that the roll call on the amended item returned five yes votes.

Ending

The council moved on after the vote; community speakers left the chamber urging the council to find other funding routes and to include community‑based organizations in any extension or redesign of the program.