City Council adopts right-to-counsel ordinance for eligible tenants, sets 80% AMI threshold

The Los Angeles City Council on April 1 adopted an ordinance to codify a right to counsel for eligible tenants facing eviction, approving an amendment that defines eligible tenants as households at or below 80% of area median income (AMI). The measure passed unanimously.

Councilmember Román sponsored the ordinance; Councilmember Lee offered an amendment, which Councilmember Soto Martínez seconded, to clarify eligibility. Councilmembers who participated in the debate acknowledged the ordinance’s long origin in council work and community advocacy and credited earlier efforts by colleagues including Councilmember Paul Koretz and others for launching the initiative.

Supporters from tenant-advocacy groups and legal services organizations urged passage during public comment, saying legal representation helps tenants defend against evictions and preserves housing stability. Speakers who addressed the council included representatives and advocates from Legalide Foundation of Los Ángeles, SAGE, San Joseph Center, LA CAM, and other tenant groups; several speakers said similar programs in other cities reduced evictions and municipal costs.

Council discussion focused on statutory drafting details and the scope of the ordinance. The amendment adopted at the meeting inserted an eligibility definition tied to 80% of AMI; councilmembers confirmed the amendment language on the record before the final vote. The City Administrative Office and city attorneys were asked to proceed with ordinance implementation steps and to return with any technical language needed for codification.

The ordinance will be added to the municipal code and the city will begin the administrative work required to stand up the program and contract with service providers. Councilmembers signaled they expect follow-up reporting on program operations, including caseloads and budgetary impacts.