L.A. County’s COVID-19 tenant protections have expired, meaning renters can no longer put off making monthly payments due to pandemic-related harms. Tenants who are behind on rent will also have to pay back what they owe, though not all at once.
To help spread the word, tenant advocates throughout the region are turning to social media and hosting workshops. And at least one local nonprofit is making house calls: staff members and volunteers at InnerCity Struggle will go door-to-door in Boyle Heights, East L.A., El Sereno and Lincoln Heights on Monday, targeting streets with apartment buildings.
“It's a really critical time for [renters] to be informed,” said Daniel Jiménez, director of community organizing at the nonprofit. “We're walking the community to ensure that [residents] have the knowledge and resources they need.”
Community walks are a routine part of InnerCity Struggle, but they’re normally conducted ahead of election season to encourage voters to cast their ballots. This time around, the nonprofit is operating under a different sense of urgency.
One of Jiménez’s chief concerns is helping renters who took in extra roommates or pets amid the pandemic understand the current rules.
In the city of L.A., unauthorized roommates and pets will be allowed to remain in place until Jan. 31, 2024. But in the rest of L.A. County, they’re no longer allowed. Jiménez fears this could lead to confusion among renters — and potential evictions.
Aside from sharing information about the COVID-19 renter protections, the staff members and volunteers at InnerCity Struggle will distribute pamphlets with details on where to go to find support with other issues, including free legal counsel for anyone facing an eviction or landlord harassment.
Want to help out?
InnerCity Struggle is still looking for volunteers ages 18 years old and up.
If you’re interested, sign up here and report Monday (April 10) to the nonprofit’s offices at 3467 Whittier Blvd. in Los Angeles by 4 p.m. After completing training, you will be paired with a staff member or another volunteer before heading out. The community walks are usually about two hours long.
If you have any additional questions, send a direct message to InnerCity Struggle’s Instagram account.
Have questions about renter protections?
For more details on how the changes could affect you, check out LAist’s comprehensive guide. We will also be hosting a live AMA with experts on Thursday that will stream online.