July 11, 2025 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

Westwood Councilmember Proposes Over $10M to Protect Unlawful Evictions

Councilmember Paul Koretz calling for the creation of emergency renters relief program

By Sam Catanzaro

A Los Angeles elected official representing Westwood, the most expensive zip code to rent an apartment in within California, is proposing spending up to $13 million of city funds to protect individuals in danger of being evicted.

Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Koretz and Council President Pro Tempore Nury Martinez are calling for the creation of an Emergency Renters Relief Program to protect renters against rent-gouging as a means to evict ahead of the State’s affordable-housing bill, AB 1482, going into effect January 1, 2020. According to Koretz, $10 million in funding will prevent individuals from losing their homes immediately.

“In the current high-priced rental market there is a shockingly high percentage of Los Angeles residents who are barely hanging on, living month to month, and far too many are on the precipice of becoming homeless in the face of unscrupulous rent gouging,” Koretz said.

To that end, Koretz joined Councilwoman Martinez in co-authoring an amending motion last week calling for $2.937 million from the funds for the Right to Counsel program, to protect those individuals in immediate danger of losing their units.

“We need to help people who are facing constructive eviction to stay in their homes,” Koretz said. “That is why this emergency renter’s relief will be put to work immediately to prevent hundreds of individuals from being forced out of their apartments while we actively work to combat the bad behavior of some greedy landlords. We already have far too many homeless Angelenos on our street.”

In April of 2018, LA City Council and Mayor Eric Garcetti declared a shelter crisis in the City of Los Angeles. The Fiscal Year 2018-19 Adopted Budget includes $20 million to develop new crisis and bridge housing beds for unsheltered individuals experiencing homelessness throughout the City, with the goal of adding 50-100 new beds per council district. In addition, $10 million was included in the Unappropriated Balance for Homeless Services Programs and Koretz and Martinez are asking for at least $5 million from this fund to protect renters.

According to a recent study from RentCafe, renters in Westwood’s 90024 ZIP code pay on average $,4944 a month, a 4.1 percent increase from last year. This makes Westwood the most fourth most expensive place to rent in the United States, behind three Manhattan ZIP codes.

Boston is the only city outside of California and New York to make the top 50 list, with four ZIP Codes.

The rent study used July data from Yardi Matrix to analyze the rent of around 15 million apartments of all sizes in over 130 U.S. markets.

Other Westside neighborhoods to make the top 50 include Culver City’s 90232 ZIP Code at $4,118, Marina del Rey’s 90292 ZIP Code at $3,804, Santa Monica’s 90401 ZIP Code at $3,787 and Playa Vista’s 90094 ZIP Code at $3,735.

Related Posts

L.A. Louver Marks David Hockney’s 88th with Exhibit

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

Hockney, a British artist born in 1937, gained fame with the British Pop Art movement and later became known for...

Suspect Arrested in Shoe Retail Theft Spree Across LA County

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

During the search, police recovered two firearms and a significant quantity of merchandise The Los Angeles Police Department’s Organized Retail...

California Seizes $476 Million in Illegal Cannabis

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

The operation, described as UCETF’s largest to date, involved support from multiple state agencies The state confiscated $476 million worth...

The Reservoir Play Opens at Geffen Playhouse

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

The play follows Josh, whose life is unraveling, as he receives unconventional support from his grandparents. Their unsolicited advice, judgments,...

Angelini Grill Opens Limited Run at Peninsula Beverly Hills

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

The menu includes tableside Dover Sole, lobster salad, and a signature pasta tasting A new culinary collaboration, Angelini Grill, launched...

Father-Daughter Authors to Host Book Signing to Aid Fire-Affected Women

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

Ten percent of proceeds from book and art sales will benefit the Pacific Palisades Rebuilding Fund, a nonprofit initiative created...

Metro Reports Crime Drop, Higher Rider Satisfaction, and Progress on Major Projects

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The Authority said the drop in violent incidents—down to the lowest level since May 2019—coincided with more uniformed personnel and...

The Bar at Century Plaza to Celebrate National Caviar Day with Exclusive Tastings

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The seven-hour event will feature exclusive caviar tastings and champagne pairings The Bar at Fairmont Century Plaza will host a...

Westwood Village Cooking Class to Showcase Spanish Paella

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The class will guide participants through crafting both seafood and vegetarian versions of the iconic Spanish dish Food enthusiasts will...

Unmasking ICE: Senators Push for Visible IDs After Secretive LA Immigration Raids

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Bill Requires Federal Agents to Display Visible Identification During Raids U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) on...

Bacio di Latte’s Beverly Hills Gelateria Debut Blends Italian Tradition with California Cool

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Gelateria Features In-House Gelato, Espresso Drinks, and Decadent Signature Flavors Bacio di Latte has officially opened its latest U.S. flagship...

Housing for Health Chief Appointed to Lead Unified Homeless Services Department

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Veteran Housing Advocate to Oversee Streamlined LA County Services The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday confirmed the...

Brentwood Feels Impact as Feds Slash Office Leases Across Los Angeles

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

New Tracker Reveals Over 70,000 Square Feet Cut in 2025 Alone Los Angeles County’s office market is experiencing a fresh...

Lost Bunny on the Beat: Beverly Hills Police Seek Owner of Wayward Rabbit

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Fluffy Wanderer Found Near City Hall, BHPD Caring for Missing Pet The Beverly Hills police are caring for a domestic...

Interview: The Dinah Creator Mariah Hanson on Legacy, Change, and the Future of Queer Celebration

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

After 34 Groundbreaking Years, Hanson Reflects on Joy, Power, and Her Final Dinah  We spoke with Mariah Hanson, the creator...