CES IN THE NEWS

CES Supports LA County Supervisors Cutting Funds Used to Abuse Low-Income Tenants

& More on Key CES Appointments

LA Times & LA Wave Newspaper Articles

Thursday, January 26, 2012

L.A. County to Stop Funding Extra High Desert Housing Investigators

Lancaster and Palmdale, Targets of a Civil Rights Lawsuit, Say They Need the Added Manpower to Ensure Compliance With Rules of the Federal Section 8 Subsidized Housing Program

By Ann M. Simmons, Los Angeles Times

Hoping to avoid a potentially costly civil rights lawsuit, Los Angeles County will stop providing funds for additional housing investigators to the desert communities of Palmdale and Lancaster, where officials have been accused of targeting nonwhite recipients of federal housing subsidies for eviction and harassment.

The action, which the Board of Supervisors took in closed session Tuesday night, is one of a number of measures the board has agreed to implement in the face of legal challenges by civil rights organizations and an investigation by the U.S. Justice Department. Other measures include barring the Sheriff's Department from sending deputies on housing compliance checks unless they have good reason, and agreeing to preserve the confidentiality of participants in the Section 8 subsidy program.

In June, the National Assn. for the Advancement of Colored People filed a lawsuit against Lancaster and Palmdale, claiming that officials used sheriff's and other county resources in a campaign to drive black and Latino residents from government-subsidized housing. The next month, federal prosecutors announced that they were investigating the role of sheriff's deputies in a series of surprise inspections in the High Desert, as well as other enforcement activities.

Although Los Angeles County has not been named as a defendant in the civil rights lawsuit, officials said they were eager to avoid future litigation.

"While not admitting any of the allegations ... we chose to sit down at the negotiating table to avoid litigation with the focus of improving our program," said Sean Rogan, executive director of the county Community Development Commission/Housing Authority. He added that his agency would continue to take steps to combat fraud, while ensuring that Section 8 tenants are treated fairly and their rights respected.

The agreement also bars investigators from issuing on-the-spot terminations of housing voucher privileges. Now terminations will occur only after an analyst reviews the case and determines that fraud has been committed. The Housing Authority must also inform aid recipients of their rights.

"It's a spectacular agreement," said Catherine Lhamon, director of impact litigation at Public Counsel, the public-interest law firm representing plaintiffs in the suit. "It ends a long nightmare when families who participated in the Section 8 program lived in fear of a knock at the door … and when Section 8 families were treated like dangerous criminals simply because they needed help with their rent."

The county had been paying $98,685 yearly to Lancaster and $62,000 to Palmdale to help fund extra inspectors for the Section 8 program. The Antelope Valley cities insisted they needed the extra manpower to ensure that landlords and tenants comply with the program's regulations, since there are only three such housing inspectors countywide.

On Wednesday, Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris insisted that the city's crackdown on Section 8 had nothing to do with race and called the supervisors' decision "insanity."

"This is going to have a disastrous effect not only on the city but on the whole county," Parris said, adding that the city had no intention of settling the lawsuit against it. "When you make people no longer accountable for political reasons, even a dummy knows what's going to happen. It's going to make things more difficult."

The supervisors voted 4 to 1 to eliminate the funding and implement other measures. Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, whose 5th District includes the Antelope Valley, cast the dissenting vote.

In an emailed statement, Antonovich said the additional housing investigators had "effectively rooted out fraud in the Antelope Valley" because 91% of Section 8 terminations had been upheld. He added that with more than 200,000 eligible families and seniors on the county's 10-year waiting list for government-subsidized housing and only three investigators countywide, it was "impossible to remove fraud and abuse to ensure those who actually need the housing will get it."

Palmdale Assistant City Atty. Noel Doran said the City Council planned to discuss the pending litigation at its regularly scheduled meeting next week and wouldn't comment before then.

Larry Gross, executive director of the L.A.-based Coalition for Economic Survival, which advocates for low-income tenants, said he hoped the agreement would "serve as a message to other jurisdictions that they also must take action to ensure low-income tenants have a level playing field and are able to find decent and affordable housing in those areas."

Michelle Ross, 36, a housing voucher recipient who lived for more than four years in Palmdale and then Lancaster, said she welcomed the county's action.

Ross said she suffered intimidation "just for getting some kind of assistance." After her home was pictured on a Facebook page called "I Hate Section 8," racist graffiti and a swastika were spray-painted on her property. The harassment led her to leave town.

"Me and my family, we feel safe now," Ross said.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

The Soulvine:

By BETTY PLEASANT, Contributing Editor

CES Exec Dir Larry Gross' Seat on the PUC Low Income Oversight Board

Jan 26 2012 Low Income Over- sight Board Meeting Held at San Diego County Admin Building

Double Honors - The California Public Utilities Commission unanimously approved the appointment this month of Larry Gross to its Low-Income Oversight Board. Gross is the extremely feisty executive director of the Coalition for Economic Survival and his new job is to watchdog, advise and liaise between the CPUC and low-income utilities ratepayers - much like he does for renters through CES. But wait, Gross was also elected this month to the board of directors of the ACLU of Southern California, also putting him on the front line in the battle to win economic justice by protecting folks' First Amendment rights.

CLICK HERE

There tenants will be assisted on a one-to-one basis by one of our experienced and knowledgeable volunteer attorneys and counselors. No appointment is needed. It is first come, first serve.

Find Out More Details Here

Support CES' Work When You Shop for Your Groceries
Sign Up for Ralphs/Food-4-Less Community Contribution Program:

Contact CES at (213)252-4411 or contactces@earthlink.net and we will explain how to register to support CES' work while you shop.

Coalition for Economic Survival
CES Organizing Times Online

An occasional email newsletter reporting on the
activities of the Coalition for Economic Survival (CES)

CES Dives Into the New Year Securing Some Important Appointments and Continuing Efforts to Combat Tenants Abuses & Uphold Renters Rights.

At its January 12, 2012 meeting, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) unanimously approved the appointment of CES Executive Director Larry Gross, to its Low Income Oversight Board (LIOB).

The state Legislature established the LIOB to advise the CPUC on low income electric and gas customer issues and to serve as a liaison for the CPUC to low income ratepayers and representatives.

For the official CPUC news release on the appointment, click here.

For more information on the LIOB, please visit www.liob.org.

CES Executive Director Larry Gross was honored to just be elected to the Board of Directors of the ACLU of Southern California.

He views his presence on the board as an opportunity to further link the ACLU as the premier defender of the first amendment with those on the front line exercising their first amendment rights in the battle to win economic justice.

Woodlake Manor Apt Tenants Meet

On Saturday January 14, Woodlake Manor Apartment tenants met to discuss the next steps in addressing the new and illegal policy by their landlord, Jones and Jones, to force them to pay their rent online. CES Tenant Organizer Joel Montano assisted tenants in organizing the meeting that was also attended by Bet Tzedek Legal Services attorneys Patsy Van Dyke and Shayla Myers.

A threatening letter from Jones and Jones' attorney sent to a tenant protesting the online rent policy was shared with other tenants. The letter read, "Please be aware that since your unhappiness with Jones and Jones Management Group Inc. is again an issue may I once again suggest that you consider vacating the premises. Please consider moving to a property where you can be happy." This tenant has been fighting Jones and Jones' practices for over 10 years and has taken legal action against them on numerous occasions.

Bet Tzedek Attorney Provides Legal Info

Bet Tzedek attorneys, on tenants' behalf, recently sent Jones and Jones a letter demanding that they cease their illegal mandatory online rent payment policy. Jones and Jones has yet to respond. The possibility of litigation against Jones and Jones was discussed at the meeting.

For more background on the issue, check out previous articles:

Tenants Defy Landlord's Order To Pay Rent Online

Tenants Are Lining Up To Fight Online Demand

CLICK HERE

There tenants will be assisted on a one-to-one basis by one of our experienced and knowledgeable volunteer attorneys and counselors. No appointment is needed. It is first come, first serve.

Find Out More Details Here

Support CES' Work When You Shop for Your Groceries
Sign Up for Ralphs/Food-4-Less Community Contribution Program:

Contact CES at (213)252-4411 or contactces@earthlink.net and we will explain how to register to support CES' work while you shop.

Coalition for Economic Survival
CES Organizing Times Online

An occasional email newsletter reporting on the
activities of the Coalition for Economic Survival (CES)
Happy and Healthy 2012

CES Ended 2011 With a Bang. Bring on 2012! New Victories to Be Won!

In the final weeks of 2011, CES experienced much activities and accomplishments. Laws were won, tenants' rights abuses were confronted and CES media attention was high. Following are some examples:

On December 6, 2011, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously voted to extend the City's Foreclosure Eviction Ordinance protecting tenants living in units not subject to the City's Rent Stabilization Ordinance.

Read About It

Determined Tenants Fight Landlord Scheme

CES organized tenants to fight an outrageous new scheme by a landlord to force its tenants to only pay their rent online. The landlord, Jones and Jones, owns over 30 apartment buildings in Los Angeles.

Read About It

(left to right): Los Angeles County Federation of Labor AFL-CIO Executive Secretary-Treasurer Maria Elena Durazo, Coalition for Economic Survival Executive Director Larry Gross, Mimi Strauss, Cindy Vivar, Coalition for Economic Survival Lead Organizer Carlos Aguilar, UFCW Local 660 President Rick Icaza, Coalition for Economic Survival Affordable Housing Tenant Organizer Joel Montano, Carla Osorio, UFCW Local 660 Director of Organizing/Vice President Rigo Valdez

United Food & Commercial Workers Local 770 Celebrated the victory in reaching a 3-year labor contract with Ralphs, Vons and Albertsons, averting a grocery strike that would have idled more than 54,000 workers across Southern California at an event held at the Sheraton Universal City Hotel on December 6, 2011 honoring Local 770's community partners that helped obtain this victory.

Now, Food4Less workers are ready to strike unless Food4Less proposes a similar fair wage and benefit package. Currently, the wage disparity between Kroger-owned Food4Less and Ralphs can be as much as $3 per hour.

Food4Less has deliberately stalled talks as part of an overall strategy designed to weaken union resolve. UFCW members at Ralphs stuck together and ended up with a contract that shows them respect. Food4less members are going to do the same.

On December 26, 2011, Scott Sommer celebrated the 27th anniversary of his hosting Housing Notebook on New York's WBAI by interviewing Coalition for Economic Survival Executive Director Larry Gross on the latest West Coast landlord shenanigans and tenants' rights victories.

Housing Notebook is produced by the Metropolitan Council on Housing, New York's oldest tenant union.

Click Here to Listen to the Program

CES In The News

In the last two months of 2011 CES has received much attention in the news. Here's some examples:

Ousted L.A. Housing Authority Chief Leaves with $1.2 Million   Los Angeles Times, December 4, 2011

Tenants Defy Landlord Order To Pay Rent Online   Los Angeles Wave, December 2, 2011

Inside The Jungle, Tenants Are Lining Up To Fight Online Demand   Los Angeles Wave, November 30, 2011

Concerns Raised Over Firms Vying For Work On L.A. Redistricting   Los Angeles Times, November 22, 2011

Evictions Over Smoking Specious   WeHo News, November 7, 2011

CLICK HERE

There tenants will be assisted on a one-to-one basis by one of our experienced and knowledgeable volunteer attorneys and counselors. No appointment is needed. It is first come, first serve.

Find Out More Details Here

Support CES' Work When You Shop for Your Groceries
Sign Up for Ralphs/Food-4-Less Community Contribution Program:

Contact CES at (213)252-4411 or contactces@earthlink.net and we will explain how to register to support CES' work while you shop.

CES Applauds LA City Council's
Extention of Eviction Protections
to Tenants Living in Non-Rent
Controlled Foreclosed Properties

On December 6, 2011, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously voted to extend the City's Foreclosure Eviction Ordinance to protect tenants Living in rental properties not subject to the City's Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO) from eviction on the grounds of foreclosure for another year. This Ordinance prohibits lenders from evicting any tenants in the City merely because of foreclosure on their landlords. Tenants living in rent controlled units have had these protections.

Multi-family rental units built after 1978 and all single-family home rentals are not subject to the City's rent control law.

Photo Courtesy of Tenants Together

The Foreclosure Eviction Ordinance was originally passed in December 17, 2008 andextended every year since in response to a national crisis that has not subsided.

Testifying before the LA City Council in support of the extension, Coalition for Economic Survival Executive Director Larry Gross stated, "The foreclosure crisis and its impact on hardworking Americans is a national disgrace. It's especially unjust for the forgotten victims -- tenants.

They've done nothing wrong. Paid their rent on time. But, suddenly these heartless banks want to evict them simply because they're living in foreclosed rental property.

Yet, these same bank bandits received billions in bailout paid for by these tenants and other taxpayers."

Gross went on to say, "We applaud this Council for its decisive action three years ago, in providing national leadership by enacting the strongest tenant foreclosure protections in the country. It provides tenants with a little bit of hope and justice. This action is an action needed to help keep these banks accountable."

City Council President Eric Garcetti

City Council President Eric Garcetti who has been the main supporter and author of the ordinance 3 1/2 years ago said, "We wanted to make sure tenants living in homes, and remember 20-25% of homes are occupied by renters, and apartment buildings would not be the innocent victims of the bank crisis."

Garcetti proclaimed, "This is one of the most important things we have done in this City and each year we've extended it because the crisis simply is not over.

Today, we stand up again, and say Los Angeles wont' stand for this."

Council Member Bill Rosendahl

Council Member Bill Rosendahl echoed, "It provides tenants' protection. It's as si mpl e as that."

Since 2007, in the City of Los Angeles approximately 46,000 properties have been subject to foreclosure. Census data establishes that 20-25% of single-family homes in the City are occupied by renters.

Data for 2011 indicates that the foreclosure crisis has not abated since the Council adopted the Foreclosure Eviction Ordinance. Nearly 10,400 properties have been subject to foreclosure in 2010 and approximately 7,600 properties have been subject to foreclosure during the first nine months of 2011. Foreclosures also continue to occur in primarily lower-income neighborhoods where evicted tenants of foreclosed properties cannot afford unnecessary relocation costs.

Coalition for Economic Survival
CES Organizing Times Online

An occasional email newsletter reporting on the
activities of the Coalition for Economic Survival (CES)
 

More importantly the Council voted down, 8 to 5, a proposal by Council Members Richard Alarcón and Ed Reyes to evenly divide the code enforcement fee to alleviate the financial burden on tenants who, for the most part, can least afford to pay the full and increased fee.

While tenants groups were not opposed to the fee increases, which will prevent a deficit and enable the Housing Department to maintain its current operations and services, they were opposed to the inequity in who pays the Systematic Code Enforcement Programs (SCEP) fee. Currently, landlords can pass on the full SCEP fee to tenants. The tenant groups were urging that the SCEP fee be split 50/50 between landlords and tenants similar to the Rental Unit Registration fee, which was reflected in the Alarcón/Reyes proposal.

FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED and HOW COUNCIL MEMBERS VOTED >
CLICK HERE

CLICK HERE

Click on titles & check out some of the recent blogs:

Wal-Mart Levels Another Attack on its Workers by Cutting Healthcare Coverage

Gov Rick Perry Sticks Texas Taxpayers with $300,000 for Personal Travel Costs

There tenants will be assisted on a one-to-one basis by one of our experienced and knowledgeable volunteer attorneys and counselors. No appointment is needed. It is first come, first serve.

Find Out More Details Here

Support CES' Work When You Shop for Your Groceries
Sign Up for Ralphs/Food-4-Less Community Contribution Program:

Contact CES at (213)252-4411 or contactces@earthlink.net and we will explain how to register to support CES' work while you shop.

Coalition for Economic Survival
CES Organizing Times Online

An occasional email newsletter reporting on the
activities of the Coalition for Economic Survival (CES)
 

(Left to right) Council Members Jan Perry, Ed Reyes, Tony Cardenas, Herb Wesson

The hearing room was packed with tenants and landlords and their representatives who testified on the proposal.

While tenants groups were not opposed to the fee increase, which will help continue the crucial operations of the Housing Department, they were opposed to the inequity in who pays the SCEP fees. Currently, landlords can pass on the full SCEP fee to tenants. The tenant groups were urging that the SCEP fee be split 50/50 between landlords and tenants similar to the Rental Unit Registration fee.

Get More Information - Click Here

CLICK HERE

Click on titles & check out some of the recent blogs:

NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg Tells Occupy Wall St. Protesters to Be Nicer to the Banks!

Pathetic GOP Prez Hopefuls Looking More Like Cast From the Wizard of Oz

Koch Brothers and Wal Mart Families Dominate Top 10 Richest Americans List

Support CES' Work When You Shop for Your Groceries
Sign Up for Ralphs/Food-4-Less Community Contribution Program:

Contact CES at (213)252-4411 or contactces@earthlink.net and we will explain how to register to support CES' work while you shop.

Coalition for Economic Survival
CES Organizing Times Online

An occasional email newsletter reporting on the
activities of the Coalition for Economic Survival (CES)
 

(Left to right) CES Tenant Organizer Joel Montano, Westminster Villa tenants Triana Williams, Ann Williams, and Aderemilekun Adewole.

The owner of their building is attempting to illegally 'opt-out' of a project-based Section 8 rent subsidy control by not providing the require notices under state law.

The tenants, who are CES members, came away from the August 25, 2011 meeting optimistic having achieved their meeting goals.

"No more corporate greed, union jobs are what we need! Hey, hey, ho. ho, union busting has got to go! This is what democracy looks like! What's disgusting? Union busting!"

A protest organized by the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor in support of the 45,000 Verizon Communications workers from Massachusetts to Washington, D.C., who went on strike earlier this month after negotiations broke down over a new labor contract for more than a fifth of the company's work force.

Soon after the protest Verizon workers went back to their jobs and contract negotiations continue.

Read More

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See More Pictures

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View Video of the Protest

Support CES' Work When You Shop for Your Groceries
Sign Up for Ralphs/Food-4-Less Community Contribution Program:

Contact CES at (213)252-4411 or contactces@earthlink.net and we will explain how to register to support CES' work while you shop.

Coalition for Economic Survival
CES Organizing Times Online

An occasional email newsletter reporting on the
activities of the Coalition for Economic Survival (CES)
 

A news conference was held where the Mayor Villaraigosa and the other voiced this message and the need to focus on creating new jobs to Congress.

Coalition for Economic Survival (CES) members Demitra Briscoe and James 'Doc' Bethard also spoke at the news conference. As recipients of Social Security, SSI and Veterans benefits they expressed deep concern that if the debt limit was not raised and they didn't received their benefit checks they would not be able to pay the rent and would face eviction.

Read More

See More Pictures

View News Conference Video

The demonstration, organized by Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE) and UFCW Local 770, was a protest in support of the workers fight to win a fair contract that includes just wages, pensions and quality heath care.

According to the United Food & Commercial Workers Union, with 62,000 grocery store workers in Southern California entering their fifth month without a contract, Ralphs, Vons and Albertsons workers are ready to walk off their jobs if contract negotiations continue to stall over the issue of health care.

If there is a strike, the call for a boycott of Ralphs, Vons and Albertsons must be supported. It is incumbent on every shopper to never cross any picket line. It is the only way economic justice will be achieved for all.

Read More and See More Pictures
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Shop at These Stores and Support the Workers
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Support CES' Work When You Shop for Your Groceries
Sign Up for Ralphs/Food-4-Less Community Contribution Program:

Contact CES at (213)252-4411 or contactces@earthlink.net and we will explain how to register to support CES' work while you shop.

Coalition for Economic Survival
CES Organizing Times Online

An occasional email newsletter reporting on the
activities of the Coalition for Economic Survival (CES)
 

Los Angeles Affordable Housing Preservation Summit

With nearly 9,000 affordable apartments at-risk of being lost from Los Angeles' affordable housing supply over the next several years, policy leaders from all levels of government, property owners, housing preservation purchasers, policy makers and tenant advocates are striving to work together to preserve this important housing.

The idea for the summit came from the Los Angeles Affordable Housing Preservation Working Group, which the Coalition for Economic Survival (CES) is a key member of.

LA City Council Member Ed Reyes points our the number of at-risk affordable housing units in LA

California Housing Partnership Corporation (CHPC) provided technical assistance, assisting by Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA), Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD) and Public Counsel Law Center), all who are other members of the LA Preservation Working Group.

For more Summit information and materials CLICK HERE to go to the Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD) Affordable Housing Preservation Program (AHPP) Summit webpage.

Get individual counseling from some of the best tenants' rights attorneys Los Angeles has to offer who volunteer their time assisting renters at CES' Clinic.

Every Wednesday evening at 7 pm & every Saturday morning at 10 am.

The Tenants' Rights Clinic is held in the Senior Center in Plummer Park, 7377 Santa Monica Bl., at Martel Ave in West Hollywood.

All tenants from throughout Southern California are welcome.

For More Details

Support CES' Work When You Shop for Your Groceries
Sign Up for Ralphs/Food-4-Less Community Contribution Program:

Contact CES at (213)252-4411 or contactces@earthlink.net and we will explain how to register to support CES' work while you shop.

April 4: National Day of Solidarity
with Wisconsin and A Tribute
to Martin Luther King, Jr.

On Tuesday evening, April 4, 2011, some 2,300 people from organized labor and its supporters jammed First A.M.E. Church in a National Day of Solidarity with Wisconsin on the 43rd anniversary day marking the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Memphis.

Dr. King's last act was standing with striking sanitation workers. On April 4, two of the leaders of that strike, Rev. James Lawson and William Lucy, retired Secretary-Treasurer of the American Federation of State County and Municipal Workers (AFSCME) joined L.A. workers and supporters at First AME Church of Los Angeles for a rousing and inspirational rally in Solidarity With Wisconsin Workers and in Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. First AME Church Pastor John Hunter and SEIU-ULTCW President Laphonza Butler also spoke.

CES Members Turnout in Support of Workers' Rights

Members of the Coalition for Economic Survival (CES) were honored to support and participate in this important event.

Civil Rights Leader Rev. James Lawson Spoke

Rev. Lawson became pastor of Centenary Methodist Church in Memphis, Tennessee in 1962. In 1968, when black sanitation workers went on strike for higher wages and union recognition after two of their co-workers were accidentally crushed to death, Reverend Lawson served as chairman of their strike committee.

Reverend Lawson invited Dr. King to Memphis in April 1968 to dramatize their struggle, which had adopted the slogan I am a Man. Dr. King delivered his famous "Mountaintop" speech in support of the strike in Memphis on April 3, 1968, the day before his assassination.

Reverend Lawson moved to Los Angeles in 1974 to lead Holman United Methodist Church where he served for 25 years before retiring in 1999.

The Memphis sanitation workers had formed AFSCME Local 1733 in 1964, but the Memphis city government refused to acknowledge the union. In 1968 the workers decided to strike. Lucy traveled to Memphis to lend his support. Pickets and marches were met with police batons and beatings. Replacement workers were brought in. Strikers were arrested. It was chaos.

Lucy said he "saw King bring tears to the eyes of strikers and their families just by walking into a meeting." King assured the strikers that the right to unionize was a civil right. It was also the only way to escape the racism they suffered on the job. On the morning of April 4th, 1968, King was preparing to lead a striker's march when an assassin's bullet took his life. International outcry over King's death brought an intense spotlight on Memphis and the city had no choice but to settle the strike. Lucy was part of the negotiations that led to the recognition of the sanitation workers' union.

Today, labor union fighting to protect collective bargaining rights and to secure good jobs is a fight that is directly linked to the fight that Dr. Martin Luther King and others waged in the 1950s and 1960s.  The April 4: National Day in Solidarity with Wisconsin workers was an event that honored the past struggles and was a commitment to carry on this fight today and in the future.