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Committee directs housing staff to release ULA funds for wildfire rental assistance with amendment
Summary
The committee approved a motion, recorded 3-0, to authorize the Department of Housing to reallocate portions of United to House LA (ULA) funds for emergency rental assistance for residents affected by 2025 wildfires and asked staff for a report on available funding sources and oversight.
The Housing Committee voted 3-0 to direct the Department of Housing to release funds from the United to House LA (ULA) program to provide emergency rental assistance to Angelenos affected by the 2025 wildfires, with an amendment requiring a report back on available funding sources and compliance with ULA rules.
Committee members and public speakers debated whether reallocating ULA funds would comply with the voter-approved guidelines and whether other funding streams — including philanthropic donations and mayoral or state relief funds — should be used first. Representatives of United Housing LA told the committee that shifting the designated ULA funds risked undermining the program’s oversight and original intent. Other community advocates and labor representatives urged immediate use of any available city-controlled funds to aid residents displaced or economically harmed by the fires.
During the discussion staff from the Department of Housing confirmed authorities and available sources, describing philanthropic donations and other emergency funds as potentially faster channels for immediate assistance while ULA funds are subject to program rules and oversight. The committee chair said she was comfortable that the city has legal authority to use ULA funds for emergency assistance but asked staff to provide a follow-up analysis of all available resources, including ULA, philanthropic and other city funds.
The committee approved a motion — amended to direct Housing, with assistance from city offices, to return a report on reallocation and to release up to $15 million from ULA funds (structured as up to 10% from each category of fund) for emergency tenant rental assistance for residents who declare economic impact from the wildfires. The motion was recorded as carried by a 3-0 vote.
The committee asked staff to present a fuller plan at the next meeting to ensure compliance with voter guidelines, to prioritize non-ULA sources where appropriate and to provide details about program administration and oversight.
Public testimony at the meeting included opposition from the United Housing LA coalition and calls from labor and tenant groups to preserve the existing oversight structure for ULA funds, while ensuring affected residents receive aid quickly.
Votes at a glance: Committee approved a motion, as amended, to direct the Department of Housing to release up to $15 million in ULA-designated funds for emergency rental assistance to wildfire-impacted residents and to return a report on funding sources and compliance; recorded vote 3-0.
