LA City Council to Allocate $177M for Housing Advocates

Los Angeles City Council Set to Allocate $177 Million to Housing Advocacy Groups — Including One That Sued the City

USATrương Atlanta02/24/2026 03:03 AM

The Los Angeles City Council is expected to vote on a $177 million contract package on Tuesday, allocating funds to a group of tenant rights advocacy organizations — some of which have repeatedly sued the city government.

$177 Million Package for Housing Advocacy Organizations

The Los Angeles City Council is expected to vote on a contract package worth approximately $177 million on Tuesday, allocating funds to a group of tenant rights advocacy organizations — some of which have repeatedly sued the city government.

This funding package is championed by City Councilwoman Nithya Raman, currently considered a potential candidate in the mayoral race. The primary source of funding comes from Measure ULA — the city's luxury real estate transfer tax ("mansion tax").

Four Organizations Receive Bulk of Funding

According to the plan approved by the Housing and Homelessness Committee earlier this month, four organizations will sign three-year contracts: Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, Strategic Actions for a Just Economy (SAJE), Liberty Hill Foundation, and Southern California Housing Rights Center.

These organizations are the core of the "Stay Housed L.A." network, providing legal defense services for tenants, rental assistance, and housing policy advocacy.

Of this, over $106 million is slated for the Legal Aid Foundation to implement tenant protection services against eviction.

Controversy Over Activities and Lawsuits

Some organizations on the list have previously participated in or represented lawsuits against the city related to the clearing of abandoned RV encampments, homelessness policies, and land-use planning.

SAJE has openly advocated for defunding and disbanding the police force and opposed plans to host the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The group also previously sued the city over a hotel project on public land, alleging that the authorities bypassed planning procedures and affordable housing commitments.

According to previous reports, SAJE has received at least $1.43 million in public funds since 2020 and could receive an additional approximately $6 million under the new contract package.

Decisive Vote

The full City Council vote is expected to take place this week. If approved, the contracts will be valid for three years, focusing on anti-eviction and homelessness prevention programs.

Supporters argue that this funding helps protect tenants and stabilize communities amid rising housing costs and living expenses. Critics, however, question the use of public funds for organizations that have taken an adversarial stance against the city government.

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