City Council

(4) 23-1122 HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS COMMITTEE REPORT relative to addressing various limitations of the Rent Escrow Account Program (REAP). Recommendation for Council action, pursuant to Motion (Raman – Hernandez – Soto-Martinez – Hutt): INSTRUCT the Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD), with the assistance of the Department of Building and Safety, City Attorney, and any other relevant Departments, report in 60 days with recommendations to address various limitations of the REAP in consultation with stakeholder organizations, including tenant advocacy groups and landlords with said report to include: Consideration of findings produced in various reports compiled by stakeholder organizations, including tenant advocacy groups and landlords. Analysis and recommendations based up the following considerations: Reducing the amount of time that buildings stay in REAP by ensuring that buildings undergo proper repairs based on code complaint standards in a timely manner. Ensuring that buildings are in full compliance with habitability standards before being considered for REAP removal. Evaluating existing fine and fee schedules to motivate compliance and to reflect the cost of program administration. Assessing the success of current outreach and education strategies to tenants and property owners. Increasing tenant utilization of the escrow account and expedite access to said funds in order to conduct approved and appraised repairs. Ensuring application, education, and enforcement of tenant protections for REAP units with unresolved code violations, including eviction protections. Identifying resources to provide small landlords with financial assistance to make repairs and actions to avoid sales to corporate entities. Establishing clear protocols and remedies for common code violations, such as: Requiring before-and-after photos. Providing property owners with pre-approved options for specific repairs. Collecting proof and receipt of completed work. Analyzing potential program improvements such as: Increasing the frequency of comprehensive inspections for problem properties. Inspecting neighboring units. Disclosing updates to tenants. Evaluating potential roadblocks and delays as presented in current appeal processes. Improving payment options for tenants Examination of why buildings that have numerous unresolved violations and repeated non-compliance are not in REAP. Coordinating and systemizing efforts across local agencies involved in habitability and code enforcement; and Identify opportunities for property disposal to community land trusts with willing owners when feasible. Exploring strategies to reduce the volume of cases pending General Manager hearings and expedite the timeline for acceptance into REAP. Staffing and resources needed to implement these strategies as detailed above and in the Motion. Fiscal Impact Statement: Neither the City Administrative Officer nor the Chief Legislation Analyst has completed a financial analysis of this report.