There's never been more national attention on LA City Council than now, in the wake of multiple federal corruption convictions of Councilmembers and the leaked audio from Councilmembers Nury Martinez, Gil Cedillo, and Kevin de León where their callous racism intersected with their gerrymandering conspiracy to undercut renter power. The good news is that we have a unique opportunity to pass sweeping reforms to clean up City Hall and expand our democracy. LA Forward Institute's all in -- TONIGHT, we’re talking charter reform with journalist Alissa Walker who just wrote about council expansion for our new monthly newsletter, Report Forward. Next week, we're hosting nonpartisan candidate forums for District 4 (where Nithya Raman faces a single challenger) and District 14, where incumbent Kevin de León has not filed for re-election and 7 candidates will be joining us. Plus keep reading for updates on our SGV Housing Academy, recent appearances in the media, and an important action opportunity to support affordable housing on the westside!
Upcoming events:
TONIGHT, join journalist Alissa Walker in a live Zoom conversation about LA City Charter Reform with our Deputy Director Godfrey Plata. Learn more about possibilities to expand LA’s City Council and create an independent redistricting commission. This timely conversation will inform and activate Angelenos before next Monday’s Council Committee meeting where the public can weigh in! RSVP now to join at 7:30 p.m.
Join us on September 20 and 21 for the next candidate forums in our series to hear more from a dozen candidates about housing, climate, transportation, council reform, policing, and much more!
On Wednesday the 20th, we’re hosting a District 4 forum with Councilwoman Nithya Raman and her challenger, Ethan Weaver. Sign up.
On Thursday the 21st, we’re hosting candidates for the Los Angeles City Council in District 14, which includes much of DTLA, Boyle Heights, and other Northeast LA communities. Sign up.
Our wins:
Our first-ever San Gabriel Valley Housing Justice Leadership Cohort wrapped their learning journey with an ideas showcase in Baldwin Park. We’re so proud of these emerging leaders and the compelling housing justice proposals they shared with local elected officials and community members. We are grateful to LA County Supervisor Hilda Solis for recognizing our 22 participants with certificates of commendation. Check out their inspiring ideas!
What we’re listening to and reading:
🎧 Deputy Director Godfrey Plata was interviewed in a recent episode of the podcast "What's Next, Los Angeles?" hosted by former LA Councilmember Mike Bonin. Listen now.
📓 Our new monthly newsletter, Report Forward, highlights key local issues and movement groups' thoughtful perspectives on them. Check out the most recent issue, focused on whether LA’s City Council can reform itself.
In the news:
Our Executive Director, David Levitus, was featured in two news stories about how LA’s City Council might delay independent redistricting and council expansion until 2032 – and explained why they shouldn't wait! LA Times story, KNX News audio.
He also spoke out at a City Hall press conference yesterday that rallied 150 people to stop city official's absurd delays on the Venice Dell affordable housing project.
Despite having multiple approvals to move forward, Venice Community Housing is being held back from providing severely-needed affordable housing, to the westside. Using a housing and service model proven to save public funds and alleviate homelessness, the Venice Dell Community will provide:
➡️ 140 affordable apartments total—68 for residents experiencing homelessness, 34 for lower wage households, and 34 for low-income artists
➡️ 8 on-site professionally trained staff
➡️ 3 community rooms for tenant services and recreational activities, and
➡️ 246 public parking spaces
It’s housing that would make a huge difference for many people’s lives. But currently, it’s being stalled in the development process—despite having already been approved by the City Council in 2021 and 2022. You can send your own message to the mayor using LA Forward's 1-click tool here.
In solidarity,
The LA Forward Institute team