LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles County officials plan to vote on a state of emergency declaration aimed at assisting residents financially affected by the ongoing federal immigration raids.
The declaration, if approved, would empower the LA County Board of Supervisors to allocate rent relief for tenants who have missed payments due to the federal crackdown on immigrants. It could also channel state funds for legal aid and other necessary services.
A designated online portal will be launched within two months for residents seeking assistance. The motion may also lead to a future eviction moratorium, though that would require a separate action by the supervisors.
Landlords have expressed concern over the financial implications of such measures, especially after experiencing significant losses during the COVID-19 pandemic due to prolonged eviction bans.
A contentious situation has arisen in the Los Angeles area, which has witnessed intense immigration enforcement under the Trump administration, leading to significant public protests and even military presence in some instances. Federal agents have targeted various locations to detain individuals lacking legal status, contributing to a climate of fear within immigrant communities.
Supervisor Lindsey Horvath has emphasized that the raids are destabilizing families and businesses. They are targeting families, disrupting classrooms, silencing workers, and forcing people to choose between staying safe and staying housed, she stated, advocating for the emergency declaration as a form of resistance.
During a recent board meeting, the proposal advanced with a 4-1 vote, with Supervisor Kathryn Barger opposing it, citing that the situation did not fulfill the criteria for an emergency declaration and could unfairly impact landlords.
After last week's board decision to propose the declaration, many worry that repealing the eviction moratorium could face legal challenges similar to those seen during previous pandemic-related policies.
Concerns from landlords center around potential further financial strain. Daniel Yukelson, CEO of the Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles, noted that while landlords sympathize with affected tenants, they question whether the financial distress is directly caused by ICE raids.
Yukelson emphasized that any new rules allowing tenants to defer rent payments linked to immigration enforcement could jeopardize the stability and availability of affordable housing in the region.
