An initiative would provide rental assistance, income assistance for low-income seniors and access to permanent housing. (photos courtesy of Move LA)

More than two dozen leading homelessness, workers’ rights, tenants’ rights groups, labor unions and affordable housing nonprofit organizations announced on Dec. 16 that they are prepared to submit a homelessness and housing solutions citizens’ initiative for the city of Los Angeles for the November 2022 General Election.

The measure will invest in the most comprehensive set of homelessness and housing solutions in the city’s history, according to proponents.

It would provide immediate support to people experiencing homelessness and those at risk of homelessness with rental assistance, income assistance for low-income seniors and access to immediate, permanent housing.

The initiative includes the strongest citizens’ oversight and accountability protections in the history of the city of Los Angeles, including a dedicated and funded inspector general, proponents said.

Further, it would create more than 26,000 homes for people who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness, helping approximately 69,000 people over the next decade, and helping more than 475,000 at-risk renters maintain their stability and keep their homes each year.

The coalition will require millionaires and billionaires to contribute their fair share to invest in innovative solutions to create affordable housing and keep people housed; only 3% of real estate transactions between March 2019 and March 2020 would have been subject to a fee proposed in the initiative, generating roughly $800 million in revenue.

While some leaders attempt to punish poverty instead of finding solutions, it is undeniable that L.A. has the most people living outdoors of any city in America and nowhere close to enough housing that people can afford, proponents said. Ongoing evictions and rising rents mean more people are losing their homes every day, particularly people of color.

The “Los Angeles Program to Fund Affordable Housing and Prevent Homelessness” hopes to address that trend.

Leaders from the Alliance for Community Transit-LA, the Korean Immigrant Workers Alliance, Los Angeles Community Action Network, the Los Angeles/Orange Counties Building & Construction Trades Council, Move LA, the NoHo Home Alliance, Renters’ Right to Counsel and the Southern California Association of Non Profit Housing made the announcement.

Once qualified for the November 2022 ballot, the measure will require a simple majority of “yes” votes in support to be approved.

For information, visit movela.org.