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Hundreds of renters and advocates press council to cap rent increases and agendize LARSO changes
Summary
During public comment, dozens of tenants and tenant‑advocacy groups urged the City Council to adopt a 0–3% rent‑increase cap and to add changes to the Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance (LARSO) to the agenda; council did not take action on LARSO at the meeting.
Dozens of tenants, tenant advocates and community organizers used the public‑comment period at the April 11 Los Angeles City Council meeting to urge the council to cap rent increases and to agendize a change to the Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance (LARSO).
Speakers representing Keep LA Housed, ACE and neighborhood councils made personal appeals and described financial hardship and housing instability if rent increases continue at recent rates. Wendy Lopez, a District 9 resident, said the prospect of large rent increases forces untenable choices: “Should I buy food for my kids, or should I pay rent?” she told the council.
Advocates asked the council to adopt a formula that would cap annual rent increases between 0% and 3%, a change supporters said would reduce evictions and homelessness. Tommy, a community board representative from CB‑14 speaking on behalf of LA CAN, cited data in testimony: “A $100 increase in rent leads to a 9% rise in homelessness,” he said, arguing a cap would prevent further displacement.
Keep LA Housed and ACE speakers described widespread concern among street vendors, low‑wage workers, seniors and single‑parent households, sharing examples of residents who said they cannot absorb large rent hikes. Multiple callers urged councilmembers to hold town halls in their districts with tenant groups and to place the LARSO amendments on a council or committee agenda so the matter can be debated formally.
Council response: Several councilmembers acknowledged the urgency raised by speakers and said they would work with tenants and tenant groups, but the council took no formal action to change LARSO at the meeting. Councilmember Adrien Nazarian was singled out by speakers for previously agreeing to cap increases at recent town halls; advocates urged other members to follow suit and agendize the proposal.
Context: Rent‑stabilization rules and allowable annual increases are governed by local ordinance and state law; changes to local ordinance typically require committee hearings and council votes. Speakers said the current formula produces increases that push many low‑income and working families close to eviction.
Next steps: Advocates left the meeting urging councilmembers to schedule hearings and to adopt an immediate cap, while council offices said they would coordinate outreach and consider town halls. Because the requests came during public comment, further action will require committee or council agenda items and formal committee review.
