In a win for sound housing policy, the Culver City Council on Monday, April 14, rejected a proposal that would have funded legal representation for tenants in private landlord-tenant disputes.
The California Apartment Association opposed the ordinance from the start, raising legal concerns when the council considered financing the program through rental fees imposed on housing providers.
In addition, local housing providers and active CAA members rallied to voice their concerns, helping to organize strong community opposition.
Among them was CAA member Meg Sullivan, who told the council that providing attorneys rarely changes the outcome of an eviction case.
“Ultimately, the vast number of tenants end up having to leave their units anyway,” Sullivan told the council.
The council later declined to move forward with the million-dollar-plus proposal, citing concerns about cost. While some council members expressed interest in revisiting the concept in the future, the ordinance has been shelved for now.
