The fight for tenant rights in Los Angeles just saw a major victory. The LA City Council unanimously voted to close a long-standing loophole that allowed landlords to evict tenants for "substantial remodels" that would take longer than 30 days . This decision could prevent dozens of renters from being displaced—an important step in a city where housing insecurity remains one of the biggest challenges.

But while LA is making progress in local protections, a larger crisis is brewing on the federal level. The Emergency Housing Voucher Program, which has been helping thousands of renters pay their rent since the COVID-19 era, is running out of funds, leaving more than 15,000 California renters at risk of losing their housing .

Let’s break down what these changes mean for renters and what you need to know.

For years, landlords have been able to push tenants out by claiming their units needed substantial renovations. This loophole allowed them to evict tenants, upgrade the units, and rent them out at higher prices. The LA Tenants Union and other advocacy groups fought back, and now, these evictions have been made illegal—at least until August while the city works on a permanent solution .

For renters like, a longtime Echo Park resident battling cancer, this decision means she can stay in the home she has lived in for over 35 years .

While this victory is a huge relief for many, tenant advocates worry that landlords will continue to find new loopholes to displace renters. The fight is far from over.

While LA renters just got a win, a nationwide crisis is looming. The Emergency Housing Voucher Program—which has been a lifeline for over 60,000 renters across the country—is about to run out of money .

The program was never meant to be permanent, but the unexpected rise in rent prices burned through the funds much faster than planned. Rent increases in LA alone have outpaced the national average, with some areas like Santa Monica seeing spikes of up to 3% this year .

The worst part? There’s no plan to replace the funding. Without intervention, thousands of renters who depend on these vouchers could become homeless within the next year .

Housing officials across the state are scrambling for solutions, but federal funding cuts and political roadblocks make it unlikely that help is coming soon.

One city that stands out in the current housing crisis is West Covina. Unlike most of Southern California, where rent hikes have continued to climb, West Covina is one of the few cities where rents actually dropped—by 2.8% this year .

This unexpected decrease comes despite the broader trend of rising rents across Los Angeles County. Some possible reasons?
✔️ Increased rental supply – New developments have added more units.
✔️ Fewer short-term rental conversions – More landlords are opting for long-term tenants instead of Airbnb.
✔️ Stronger renter protections – Local advocacy groups have been pushing for better rental policies.

While West Covina may be an outlier, it shows that with the right policies, rent can be kept in check—even in Southern California.

The next few months will be crucial for renters across LA and beyond. Here’s what you can do:

✅ If you’re facing a remodel eviction – Your landlord can no longer force you out! Contact the LA Tenants Union if you need help fighting an illegal notice.

✅ If you depend on a federal housing voucher – Check with your local housing authority to see if you’re affected. Ask about other rental assistance programs that may be available.

✅ Stay informed – With policies constantly changing, knowing your rights is your best defense. Resources like Stay Housed LA offer free legal assistance for renters.

LA’s new eviction protections show that renters’ rights can be won, but the battle is far from over. While local efforts have helped prevent some unfair evictions, the federal housing crisis threatens to push thousands into homelessness.

With cities like West Covina proving that stable rents are possible, we need more policies that protect renters without forcing them out of their homes. If you’re a renter, now is the time to stay informed, take action, and keep fighting for fair housing.

Until next week,
The Tenure View Team