Dear <<First Name>>,
I have always stood up for and had the backs of renters. Since taking office, I’ve:
✅ Led local efforts to reform California’s Costa Hawkins Act and expand local rent control protections
✅ Removed loopholes to protect tenants from evictions and unscrupulous, corporate landlords
✅ Advocated for the repeal of Article 34 to increase our City’s supply of affordable housing
✅ Produced more affordable housing units than nearly any other area in the City
This work took on even greater urgency during the pandemic, and I didn’t back down; I doubled down. Over the last two years, I’ve fought to bring critically needed relief to renters and landlords in our district and across the city, including:
✅ The strongest COVID-19 eviction protections in the nation
✅ More than $300 million in rent relief, including extra funding for renters within my district
✅ Played a key role in canceling or substantially decreasing utility debt for our most vulnerable Angelenos
Even as we emerge from the pandemic, there is still rental assistance available for tenants and mom and pop landlords.
Qualified Angelenos have until Thursday, March 31 at 5:00 PM to apply for California’s “Housing is Key” assistance program to help catch up with back rent.
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City of Los Angeles renters and landlords can apply online via HousingIsKey.com. Residents can also make an appointment by calling (833) 687-0967 if they need help filling out an application.
If you have any questions or would like to learn more about my work to protect renters, please contact my team at (213) 207-3015. We are here to help and be of service to you.
With kind regards,
MITCH O'FARRELL
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LA City Council Passes a Resolution Condemning Vladimir Putin's Ukraine Invasion [NBC4]
We Saw A Mountain Lion Walking In Silver Lake [LAist]
City leaders tout utility debt relief programs [Beverly Press]
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TEAM MITCH MAKING A DIFFERENCE
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HISTORIC FILIPINOTOWN - The Council District 13 Clean Team worked hard this week to beautify neighborhoods across the 13th District. Examples of this week's work include Commonwealth Avenue and Council Street, where the Team removed an illegally dumped refrigerator, dresser and other large items. If you know of a parkway in need of service, we want to help! Please contact our team at (213) 207-3015.
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EAST HOLLYWOOD - On Tuesday, Councilmember O'Farrell joined his Council Colleagues and local Ukrainian leaders at the 13th District's Ukrainian Culture Center to condemn Putin's egregious invasion of Ukraine and affirm that we stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people. This followed the City Council's unanimous passage of a Resolution supporting the divestment of holdings and investments in Russia by business and governmental entities. We also restated our support for the City’s diverse Russian community, culture, and local Russian-owned businesses. After all, it is Putin - not the citizens - who launched this war. Our thoughts are with the people of Ukraine.
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BRINGING ELECTRICITY TO THE NAVAJO NATION
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CITY HALL - Last summer, Councilmember O'Farrell launched the "Light Up Navajo" program - a mutual aid initiative meant to help the *15% of families in the Navajo Nation who have no access to electricity*, while providing vast benefits to Los Angeles. We're proud to share that, by the end of 2021, we were able to connect more than *80 Navajo homes to power for the FIRST time*! This mutual aid program didn’t just help bring power to the Navajo Nation; it also equipped more than 40 Los Angeles Department of Water and Power lineworkers with invaluable technical skills that will help us in *our own transition to 100% renewable energy by 2035.* There’s still much work to be done but this is a great start!
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SUPPORTING AAPI-OWNED BUSINESSES
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SILVER LAKE - Our AAPI-owned businesses are an essential part of the 13th District and our local economy. This includes businesses like United Bread & Pastry, a multi-generational Filipino-owned restaurant that we helped support with a small business grant during the height of the pandemic. Owned and operated by parents Andrea and Romeo DeGuzman, along with their children, Mark and Eric, United Bread & Pastry has been serving authentic Filipino pastries for nearly 40 years. Please continue to support businesses like United Bread & Pastry, which make the 13th District the amazing place that it is.
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AT YOUR SERVICE IN WILSHIRE CENTER
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WILSHIRE CENTER - Safe, accessible sidewalks and pedestrian corridors are a top priority for Team Mitch. Last weekend, we completed a MAJOR sidewalk improvement on Normandie Place and Oakwood Avenue - an area where many families and children walk to school and nearby businesses. These repairs were part of our *Priority Sidewalk Repair Program* - a unique initiative that was launched, using district funds, to improve sidewalk accessibility throughout the 13th District. Special thanks to StreetsLA for your incredible work and partnering with us on this needed improvement. We’re at your service and always here to help!
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MARCH 31: TRANS AND NON-BINARY JOB FAIR
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LOS ANGELES - On *Thursday, March 31, from 10am to 12pm*, the Transgender Advisory Council and LA Civil Rights will host a virtual Trans and Non-Binary Job Fair to match local employers with trans and non-binary workers. In order for local businesses to participate, employers must first take a gender and sexual diversity training on *Wednesday, March 16 at 9am.* Interested businesses can register for the training at bit.ly/TACEmployers2. If you have questions, please email Eden Luna at eluna@lalgbtcenter.org or Mark Pampanin at mark.pampanin@lacity.org.
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SIGN-UP: REC AND PARKS SPRING ACTIVITIES
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13TH DISTRICT - As we emerge from the pandemic, the 13th District's beloved Recreation Centers are reopening for in-person Spring classes - basketball, gymnastics, soccer, and more. To find activities at your local recreation center, please visit laparks.org or click one of the images above. We hope to see you there!
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LOS ANGELES - Don't forget to set your clocks one hour ahead this Sunday, March 13, as we kick off Daylight Saving Time. We look forward to enjoying longer days with all of you!
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