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Public commenters, legal-aid groups press committee to pass right-to-counsel ordinance
Summary
During the public comment period for Item 8, dozens of tenants, advocacy groups and legal-aid representatives urged the Housing and Homelessness Committee to approve a city ordinance to codify a right to counsel for tenants facing eviction, saying representation reduces evictions and can save the city money.
Dozens of tenants, legal-aid staff and advocacy groups urged the Los Angeles City Council Housing and Homelessness Committee on March 19 to approve Item 8, a proposed ordinance to codify a right to counsel for tenants in eviction proceedings.
Supporters said legal representation reduces evictions and saves municipal resources. “Las personas que tienen representación…más a menudo van a ganar su caso en cuanto desalojo injusto,” said Milena Nevares, identifying herself as a tenant in District 8. Loren Harbor, described in the record as a data manager at the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, said the program has grown from 24 to about 80 attorneys since 2020 and that expanded coverage will help more tenants stay housed.
Why it matters: Advocates said a codified right to counsel prevents homelessness and lowers downstream costs for the city by reducing the number of evictions that lead to shelter or street…
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