Supervisor Horvath’s emergency rent‑relief proposal on wildfires and ICE raids continued for two weeks

Supervisor Lindsey Horvath told the Board of Supervisors on Sept. 2 that thousands of county residents remain displaced by January wildfires and that recent increases in immigration enforcement were adding urgent new housing threats. She introduced an emergency rent relief motion that would add local funding to help wildfire survivors, households with sudden income loss due to immigration enforcement, and low‑income tenants at immediate risk of eviction.

"This is an emergency," Horvath said, noting the motion would add nearly $9.8 million to previously allocated funds and asked staff to launch the program quickly. She urged the board to act immediately rather than send the proposal through the county's cluster process, arguing a delay would put families at imminent risk.

Supporters including immigrant‑rights organizations, unions, street‑vendor groups and community nonprofits urged swift action. "Without support from LA County, immigrants who've lost income due to ICE rates will face eviction and homelessness," a coalition speaker told the board during public comment. Multiple presenters described families missing work, fearing raids and unable to pay rent.

Opponents and some community groups urged the board to preserve Measure J and CFCI advisory processes and to avoid reallocating funds without community engagement. County staff and several supervisors said program design, fund sources and long‑term fiscal impacts required more detailed review.

After extended debate the board voted 3–2 (Mitchell, Hahn and Barger in favor; Solis and Horvath opposed) to continue the measure to Sept. 16 and refer it to the Sept. 10 operations cluster agenda for additional analysis and stakeholder engagement. Rafael Carbojal, Director of Consumer and Business Affairs, told supervisors that establishing a new rent relief program and contracting the work would likely take about 90 days to launch once funding and program design are finalized.

Ending

The continuation gives staff time to review funding sources and program rules and to engage Measure A/CFCI advisory processes and community partners; advocates urged the board to keep timelines short because residents facing eviction remain at immediate risk.