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Glendale adopts LACASSA FY2026'27 submission, seeks waiver to move legal-service funds into renter aid
Summary
The City Council voted to adopt the city'level fiscal year 2026'27 budget submission to the Los Angeles County Affordable Housing Solutions Agency (LACASSA), to request a waiver to reallocate legal-service funds, and to allocate $300,000 to a county-run renter-aid coordination program.
The Glendale City Council voted June 30 to adopt the city'level fiscal year 2026'27 budget submission for the Los Angeles County Affordable Housing Solutions Agency (LACASSA), and to seek a waiver that would permit reallocating a required 20% legal-service set-aside into direct renter assistance.
City staff (Codorian) outlined Glendale's estimated LACASSA share and the proposed placeholder allocations: roughly $5.1 million is Glendale's share of Measure A proceeds as presented, with allocation estimates into production/preservation/ownership, renter protection and technical assistance pots. Staff explained that Measure A/LACASSA rules require a portion of renter-protection funds be set aside for legal services (about $418,257 in staff figures), but the city can request a waiver to move those funds into direct renter aid. If the waiver is granted, staff estimated the city could increase direct-assistance funds from about $1.3 million to roughly $1.7 million.
Why it matters: The budget and waiver decision will shape how Glendale distributes Measure A resources locally across new construction and preservation, renter protections, and direct emergency assistance; staff proposed launching a local assistance program (GRASP) on July 6 and recommended coordinating with a county-run renter-aid program to expand reach.
Staff described the GRASP (Glendale Rental Assistance and Stabilization Program) launch and staffing plan: GRASP is scheduled to begin accepting applications July 6; staff hired one hourly employee and recommended initial funding of $267,000 for the program while monitoring take-up and returning to council after a short operating period to adjust budget allocations if needed. Staff also recommended allocating $300,000 to a county-run renter-aid coordination program to leverage county infrastructure and estimated that allocation could serve 45'50 people with emergency assistance.
Council members debated the waiver and service-delivery approach. Several members urged caution before foregoing local legal services, asking for a report on the local need for tenant legal representation, habitability complaints and eviction defense; others supported a waiver to maximize direct rental assistance for households at risk of losing housing. One council member cautioned against dedicating a large portion of funds to marketing or administrative overhead instead of direct assistance.
Votes at a glance: Council Member Garpetian moved the set of motions to adopt the LACASSA budget, request the legal-services waiver and allocate funds; the motion carried on a roll-call vote with all present council members voting yes.
Next steps: Staff will submit the budget to LACASSA, request the waiver and begin implementing GRASP on July 6. Council requested staff return with reports on legal-service needs and program effectiveness metrics after the initial operating period.
