After hearing from a nearly packed chamber of feisty tenants and anxious landlords, the Los Angeles City Council on Wednesday voted to dramatically raise the relocation fees that condominium developers must pay before kicking out residents of rent-controlled apartments.
The move, which doubled some and nearly tripled other current fees, marked a significant escalation in the condo conversion wars that have swept the city over the last five years -- particularly on the pricey Westside -- as a dwindling stock of affordable housing has been rapidly outpaced by a growing middle-class population.
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Friday April 06, 2007 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 1 inches; 48 words Type of Material: Correction
Relocation fees: A sidebar in Thursday's Section A, about higher payments to rent-control tenants who are forced out by condo conversions, said renters who have occupied their apartments for less than five years could get as much as $14,650. The sum is $14,850, as the main article reported.
Even after more than three hours of debate, several council members acknowledged that the city still needs a broader housing policy and must build more units.
"I can name a lot of people who in all honestly, even with relocation fees, will not be able to move and live in the same community that they have for years," Councilwoman Wendy Greuel said. "And that's what gets to our heartstrings."
Putting a human face on the debate were dozens of tenants who spent the day at City Hall. Among them was Esther Escamilla, who lives with her husband and two children west of downtown in a $466-a-month apartment slated for conversion. Her husband makes only about $600 a month buying used cars and selling the parts.
"Our whole life is rooted here," said Escamilla, 42. "My kids are used to going to the schools in the area. My husband and I love living here.... We can barely make ends meet as it is. They told us there is nothing we can do."
The public testimony reached an apex when Hollywood resident Kerby Norris -- soon to be forced from her apartment -- tearfully pleaded "Help me!" to the council as she clutched the hand of her 9-year-old, Matthew.
The council voted 9 to 5 for the new fees, which range from $6,810 to $17,080. They all agreed the fees should be raised, but were divided because the new law would allow developers to adjust relocation fee amounts based on variables such as age, length of tenancy and income. Voting against were Greuel, Eric Garcetti, Janice Hahn, Tom LaBonge and Bill Rosendahl.
Landlords and developers had lobbied for that provision, fearing they might have to pay a high set fee to tenants who could afford to accept less.
