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City directs report on emergency cash assistance for workers hit by January wildfires
Summary
Los Angeles City Council voted to ask city staff for options to deliver emergency cash assistance or a guaranteed basic income for workers affected by the January 2025 wildfires and to explore using up to $1,000,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds for emergency assistance programs.
Councilmember Hernandez asked the Los Angeles City Council on April 23 to direct city staff to study emergency cash assistance — including a guaranteed basic income pilot — for workers whose livelihoods were disrupted by the January 2025 wildfires.
The motion instructs the City Administrative Officer and the Legislative Analyst to report back with options to support the proposed program and requests information on using up to $1,000,000 in 2024–25 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for emergency assistance, likely including rental help.
“Some families are still living out of suitcases, and some are still wondering how they're gonna pay the rent next month,” Councilmember Hernandez said, urging support for the motion and noting gaps in protections for tenants and outdoor workers exposed by the emergency response.
Members of the council voted to approve the direction; the clerk recorded 13 ayes on the item. The motion does not itself appropriate funds; it directs staff to return with options and budget scenarios for council consideration.
Why it matters: wildfire-driven income loss can be concentrated among service-sector and informal workers — housekeepers, gardeners and street vendors were cited by a public commenter — who lack reserves and may need rapid cash assistance to avoid eviction or other harms. The council’s request for a staff report is a first formal step that would let members consider program design, eligibility and funding sources before any cash transfers occur.
What the motion asks staff to report back on: the motion requests (a) options for implementing guaranteed basic income or emergency cash assistance targeted at workers affected by the January wildfires; (b) possible uses of up to $1,000,000 in 2024–25 CDBG funds for emergency assistance; and (c) program design details such as likely program components (rental assistance was explicitly mentioned).
The council’s vote was recorded as 13 ayes. No formal second was recorded on the public transcript.
Looking ahead: staff will prepare the requested reports with funding scenarios and program options; any decision to disburse funds will require a subsequent council appropriation and additional detail on eligibility, outreach and administration.
