FEATURED
✊ The Mohawk Street Victory, Wildfire Fallout & The Future of Renters’ Power in LA
Welcome to The Tenure View
It’s not often renters beat the system—but when they do, it echoes.
This week, we're celebrating a historic tenant win in Echo Park, breaking down the wildfire-fueled rent crisis, and warning of a critical truth: displacement isn't slowing down—unless we stop it.
🏡 Echo Park Renters Just Made LA History
Building on Mohawk Street
For two years, the tenants of an 8-unit building on Mohawk Street in Echo Park were hunted by eviction threats disguised as "renovations." Their response? Form a tenants union, push back, and win.
And win big.
Thanks to their pressure, the LA City Council voted to eliminate the “renoviction” loophole that let landlords evict tenants under the excuse of major remodels. That temporary rule is now becoming a permanent city law—and it started with them.
“We had to be badasses,” said one of the organizers. “We did this not just for us—but for everyone else in LA suffering these silly evictions.”
The Mohawk Street Tenants Association, with help from the LA Tenants Union, SAJE, and Inner City Law Center, held banners, workshops, carne asadas, and community power. What came out of their fight wasn’t just policy—it was proof that tenants can win when they fight together.
🔥 Wildfires Fueled a Rental Crisis—And It’s Not Over
January’s Eaton and Palisades wildfires destroyed over 20,000 housing units across Los Angeles. What followed?
Rent prices in LA spiked 7.2% year-over-year (vs. 2.9% national average)
High-end rentals surged 9.1%
Zillow saw a 50% increase in rental listing views
Displaced homeowners flooded the market with insurance payouts, pushing rents higher
Some renters faced six-month upfront payment demands
The result? Even in working-class areas like Vermont Square and Mid-City, renters reported illegal rent hikes well over the 4% RSO cap, while price gouging complaints exploded.
“We were competing for housing like it was an auction,” said Resident who lost her home in Altadena.
According to The Guardian, more than 1,300 listings violated price-gouging rules, amounting to $92 million in excess rent.
🛑 LA Renters Still At Risk
Despite the Mohawk victory, the structural issues haven’t gone away:
Displacement is still being legalized—just masked under repairs or “upgrades”
Enforcement on illegal rent hikes? Still slow and inconsistent
And Section 8 funding cuts loom, threatening 59,000 LA tenants
“If we let people get evicted without a fight,” said Chelsea Kirk of SAJE, “we’ll look back on this moment and wish we had done more.”
🏘️ Community Spotlight: Mohawk Street Tenants Association
This week’s spotlight is all about Mohawk Street—not just for what they won, but how they did it:
Formed a tenants union
Documented violations and harassment
Hosted community events to raise funds and awareness
Marched, rallied, and testified at City Hall
Connected with other buildings facing eviction
Their banner—“No More Renovictions”—is now LA’s banner. Their story proves that tenant education, unity, and public pressure can change laws.
So if you’re wondering what’s next?
Start where they did: with your neighbors.
🧠 The Tenure Take
This isn’t just a week of news—it’s a moment of clarity.
✨ Tenants can win. But it takes pressure, persistence, and community.
🔥 Disasters bring displacement. And without accountability, landlords profit from crisis.
💥 The Mohawk Street fight proves one thing: Deep roots don’t move. But they do organize.
So wherever you're reading this—Mid-City, Pasadena, Boyle Heights, Pacoima—this win is yours too. Get educated. Get loud. Get organized.
Until next week,
The Tenure View Team
The RENT Perspective
Sources:
Chou, E. (2025, April 23). The badass Echo Park renters who defeated their landlord. LA Public Press
Blake, S. (2025, April 18). Los Angeles Rent Prices Spike After Devastating Wildfires. Newsweek
Glass, G. (2025, April 10). Post-fire renters face bidding wars and stiff competition. Spectrum News
Wagner, D. (2024–2025). LA renovictions, rent caps, and CPI data. LAist
