City Council Declares 'Renters' Day' To Highlight Lack Of Affordable Housing
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Hundreds of Angelenos Wednesday converged on the steps of City Hall to call attention to what they say is a lack of affordable housing in Los Angeles.
Members of local renters' advocacy groups were joined by City Councilman Gil Cedillo to declare April 23 "Renters' Day" to highlight the issue, which organizers say affects about 66 percent of LA residents.
For every 100 low-income families in Los Angeles, there are only 17 available units that are affordable at their income levels, according to community organizers. Rent-controlled housing, meanwhile, is on the decline, with a 40 percent jump in requests to convert or demolish those units in lieu of market-rate housing.
KNX 1070's Jon Baird reports Cedillo joined with more than 20 organizations working with low-income, working-class, and middle-class renters to introduce the resolution, which was followed by a presentation during the City Council meeting.
City Council Declares 'Renters' Day' To Highlight Lack Of Affordable Housing
"Renters at all income levels continue to face real displacement," Cedillo said. "Renters make LA work; we need to make LA work for renters."
Some residents came forward to say that while they're glad to see new apartments being built, it 's not enough to solve the issue.
"We need for [the city] to build more homes that are in the reach of those of us who have lower income," said one activist.
In 2013, Los Angeles was ranked fifth in a nationwide survey of the priciest cities to rent a home, with a median rental price of $1,740 for a one-bedroom apartment, according to CBS News.
