ULA COC First Annual Town Hall in Little Tokyo, November 13, 2024
Last Wednesday, November 13, 2024, the ULA COC successfully hosted the first annual Town Hall at the Terasaki Budokan Center in Little Tokyo. Over 80 people attended, including community members and housing and labor representatives from across the County.
Voted in by Los Angeles City residents in 2022, Measure ULA (Ordinance No. 187692) funds 11 programs aimed at producing and preserving affordable housing and protecting City of LA tenants. As of August 15th, 2024, the permanent program guidelines for the 11 ULA programs are complete and awaiting approval by the Los Angeles City Council.
Measure ULA states that "[T]o promote transparency and accountability, the Oversight Committee shall hold an annual Town Hall to report on the progress and shortcomings of the House LA Fund-Programs and hear from the public."
LAHD staff, and community members watch the Town Hall presentation and panel discussion.
Photo Credit: Ted Soqui for UHLA
The Town Hall commenced with a presentation from LAHD’s Greg Good on the progress of Measure ULA. The conversation continued with a brief panel discussion with members of the UHLA Coalition that wrote the Measure, COC members, affordable housing production experts, and a resident who has utilized ULA’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) services.
From left to right: Carlos Casillas - City of LA Tenant and Emergency Rental Assistance Program of ULA; Debbie Chen - COC Member; Michelle Espinosa Coulter - Chair of the COC; Joe Donlin - Director of United to House LA Coalition; Greg Good - LAHD
Photo Credit: Ted Soqui for UHLA
Vision boards decorated the walls of the event space, prompting attendees to reflect on social housing and Measure ULA in their communities.
Photo Credit: Ted Soqui for UHLA
Community members submitted thoughtful questions to the panel, including “What is the dream for ULA 5 years from now?;” “In what ways can alternative models of housing ensure permanent affordability?;” and “What does the timeline for social housing look like?” The COC and IIG plan to share resources in response to the remaining submitted questions. The event closed out with small group reflections of the presentation and panel discussion.
Thanks to the community members who showed out to the first annual ULA COC Town Hall!
