Advocates testify before a capacity crowd in South Los Angeles

Before a crowd of more than 400 at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center, Los Angeles residents and advocates from LACAN, the Housing is a Human Right Coalition, and the Labor Community Strategy Center gathered to address a special meeting of the LA City Housing Community and Economic Development Committee. The meeting was chaired by Council member Herb Wesson and was called in response to a report by a UN Special Rapporteur on Adequate housing and to answer the recommendations proposed by the The LA People's Declaration to the Human Right to Housing.

Many residents reduced to tears as they testify of hardships

The evening began with a meal provided by Herb Wesson and served by various LA City staff members. Then residents from all over Los Angeles stepped forward to give their testimony. Some spoke about the impending loss of public housing, others spoke about the hardships caused by yearly rent increases. One woman spoke about the loss of her job, then her house. She and her three children are faced with the imminent loss of shelter because of an increase in the rent that she has been paying to live in a garage. Another woman spoke about the stress caused by multiple eviction notices served to her while she has lived in public housing and the constant uncertainty. Many of the speakers had to choke back tears as they spoke of rent increases of 100, 200 or even 400 dollars.

Despite best intentions of advocates, no resolution reached.

The meeting ended with hopeful language, but without a resolution from the city council. When coalition members took control of the microphones to express their frustration, Council member Wesson pledged to hold another special meeting soon to answer the demands put forth by the coalition. Without rent control or rent freezes implemented by the City Council, many people in the city face displacement.