City Council

(3) 25-0924 HOUSING COMMITTEE REPORT relative to requiring all Housing Department (LAHD) administrative hearings, including those for the Rent Escrow Account Program (REAP), to be conducted in person. Recommendations for Council action, pursuant to Motion (Hutt – Soto-Martinez): 1. REQUEST the City Attorney report with a draft ordinance amending Los Angeles Municipal Code Section 162.06 and recommendations to amend Rent Adjustment Commission Regulations 1200.00, to require all LAHD administrative hearings, including REAP and General Manager hearings conducted by the Department, to be scheduled in person on a permanent basis, with the ability for the public to watch and participate virtually. The draft ordinance should require LAHD to post all REAP hearings, General Manager hearings, and any other administrative hearing notices in one easily accessible place on the Department’s website, with all notices posted in English and Spanish, and other accessible languages included depending on the neighborhood. The draft ordinance should further require LAHD to provide Spanish language interpretation at all administrative hearings, including REAP and General Manager hearings, and provide language interpretation in any available language if a member of the public makes a request for interpretation at least 72 hours prior to the hearing. 2. INSTRUCT the LAHD, with the assistance of the City Attorney, to report on recommendations to accept and consider evidence and testimony of new information at all administrative hearings, including REAP and General Manager hearings. Fiscal Impact Statement: Neither the City Administrative Officer nor the Chief Legislative Analyst has completed a financial analysis of this report.