Mar Vista Voice - January 30, 2025

In the wake of the devastating fires that have displaced thousands of Los Angeles residents, the City Council moved quickly to pass emergency motions to aid those affected. However, their decisions exposed a glaring and familiar bias: while homeowners and landlords received robust financial relief, tenants were left out in the cold—again. Click here to view the full list of motions thus far.

Among the motions passed, the Council approved tax relief (Council File 25-0045) for property owners and landlords, along with financial assistance for city employees who lost their homes (Council File 25-0065). They also declared a local emergency (Council File 25-0030) and enacted recovery measures (Council File 24-0055) that included securing FEMA reimbursement and other broad-based assistance programs. These measures undoubtedly provided much-needed relief, but the Council’s refusal to pass an eviction moratorium and rent freeze (Council File 25-0050) speaks volumes about their priorities.

That motion, which would have protected tenants from being displaced due to rent increases and evictions in the aftermath of the fires, was sent back to committee and effectively stalled—despite the fact that thousands of renters in affected areas faced imminent housing insecurity. The justification? Council members claimed they needed more time to deliberate on the issue, an excuse that conveniently didn’t apply when handing out aid to landlords and property owners.

This decision highlights an undeniable reality: the Los Angeles City Council remains beholden to real estate interests. Many of its members receive significant campaign contributions from developers, property management firms, and real estate PACs. Unsurprisingly, policies that protect renters—who make up the majority of the city’s residents—are often dismissed, delayed, or watered down. The failure to pass an eviction moratorium after a disaster is not just negligence; it’s a political choice that prioritizes profits over people.

Time and again, Los Angeles tenants are reminded that their government does not work for them. The 2025 fires were a test of leadership and moral clarity, and the City Council failed it. Renters deserve better. They deserve representatives who will fight for their right to stay in their homes—not politicians who bend to the will of real estate lobbyists while families are left struggling for shelter.