Legal Victory Upholds Measure ULA and Its Funding for Affordable Housing Initiatives, Aiding the Fight Against Homelessness
LOS ANGELES, October 24, 2023 — In a victory for affordable housing activists in California, the Los Angeles County Superior Court has upheld Measure United to House L.A. (Measure ULA), a ballot initiative that passed with support from nearly 58% of L.A. voters and has generated millions of dollars for homelessness prevention services, tenant protection programs, and new affordable housing. The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and the Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles (AAGLA) brought a lawsuit against Measure ULA in December of 2022, with Southern California Association of Non-Profit Housing, Inc., Korean Immigrant Workers Advocates of Southern California, and Service Employees International Union Local 2015 stepping up in defense of the initiative. The court, in a definitive decision, has approved the motion for judgment on the pleadings, dismissing both complaints with prejudice, dismissing the challenge, and upholding Measure ULA.
“The court’s decision to uphold Measure ULA is a win for all Angelenos. This policy is critical to support rental assistance, income for seniors and affordable housing and helps ensure that the needs of our communities are met, ”said Greg Bonett, Senior Staff Attorney, Community Development Project at Public Counsel. “This victory reinforces the vote of the people and further solidifies the need for affordable housing in all of Los Angeles.”
Measure ULA will fund initiatives that support millions of Angelenos at risk of eviction and those who are living on the street. These include programs that offer financial aid to elderly individuals with low incomes, support tenants with rental assistance, acquire apartments and hotels for affordable housing purposes, fund the construction of new affordable housing using traditional and innovative approaches, and provide legal support to tenants facing eviction threats.
“The court’s definitive decision is a monumental win for Measure ULA and all the dedicated individuals and groups who worked tirelessly to craft this innovative solution. Measure ULA has already had a great impact on housing Angelenos and keeping them housed,” said Joe Donlin, Director of the United to House LA. “We’re happy to see that the judge sees the bright future Measure ULA has in our fight against homelessness.”
This milestone signifies a pivotal moment in the ongoing legal proceedings, further emphasizing the critical role of Measure ULA in the battle against homelessness in Los Angeles.
For more info on this case, visit: Howard Jarvis & AAGLA v. City of Los Angeles
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About Koreatown Immigrant Workers Alliance
Founded in 1992, KIWA builds power with immigrant workers and renters to bring about a more just and inclusive Los Angeles. One of the nation’s most established worker centers, KIWA organizes primarily Korean and Latino immigrant workers, with a focus on the restaurant and retail industries. KIWA aligns strategic worker and community organizing with policy change, leadership development, research, services, and coalition-building. Because of their immense impact on workers’ lives, KIWA also works in the areas of civic justice, economic policy, immigration, housing and transit policy, and land-use reform.
About Southern California Association of Nonprofit Housing
The Southern California Association of Nonprofit Housing (SCANPH) is a trade association, founded in 1985, that supports and advocates for those dedicated to the development of affordable housing. SCANPH’s advocacy efforts have contributed greatly toward assisting the financially vulnerable in our communities since 1985. The mission of SCANPH is to facilitate development of affordable homes across southern California by advancing effective public policies, sustainable financial resources, strong member organizations, and beneficial partnerships. Learn more: www.scanph.org
About Service Employees International Union Local 2015
SEIU Local 2015 is the largest union in California, representing nearly 450,000 long-term care workers (home care, skilled nursing facility, and assisted living center workers) throughout the state. Its members are as diverse as the state’s population, but united in their commitment to caring for California’s most vulnerable: seniors and the disabled.
About Public Counsel
Public Counsel is a nonprofit public interest law firm dedicated to advancing civil rights and racial and economic justice, as well as to amplifying the power of our clients through comprehensive legal advocacy. Founded on and strengthened by a pro bono legal service model, our staff and volunteers seek justice through direct legal services, promote healthy and resilient communities through education and outreach, and support community-led efforts to transform unjust systems through litigation and policy advocacy in and beyond Los Angeles.
About Irell & Manella LLP
For more than 80 years, Irell & Manella LLP has helped clients resolve their most challenging and complex legal issues. Irell is known for its extraordinary track record of successful outcomes as well as the genuine creativity brought to high-stakes litigation. The firm’s success is rooted in its unflagging commitment to quality and client service.
