Today is Juneteenth, and on Thursday of this week, President Biden signed a law making Juneteenth a federal holiday, commemorating officially the end of slavery in the United States. Today is a day to remember our country’s history, but also to double down on our collective work to fight racism and to promote justice and equality in this city. A list of events where you can celebrate Juneteenth across LA County is available here. In our district, you can join Black Women Lead at the Laugh Factory, or the Valley of Change in Sherman Oaks at their events this afternoon. 

MOTIONS FOR  MORE PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE + AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Everyone in LA knows it: we need more affordable housing. Only a small fraction of new projects are 100% affordable, and we don't have nearly enough supportive housing to alleviate our homelessness crisis. This week, we introduced new motions to help build more of both. 

Our first two motions explore two city-owned lots in Council District 4 for permanent supportive or 100% affordable housing. The two city-owned locations we’re looking at for supportive housing are a vacant lot in Hollywood and a parking lot in Miracle Mile. If you live nearby, and want to learn more about how supportive housing works, we’re hosting site tours at other completed projects! You can sign up here.

Our next motion instructs multiple city departments to come together and produce a strategic plan to streamline 100% affordable developments with shorter appeal times, prioritization in the housing pipeline, and fewer steps in the review process. You can read the motion here. 

These motions are the first steps in a long process — but we hope you'll join us in the work to make LA a place everyone can call home.

A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR LA

We also introduced legislation this week with a more sustainable future for Los Angeles in mind. Our first motion directs departments to develop a plan for retrofitting City-owned buildings (to decarbonize them and achieve net-zero energy), and our second motion instructs City departments to begin implementing a plan for all new city vehicles to be zero-emission, included in the City’s 2019 Green New Deal. 

Joining us in a pursuit of a more conscious L.A. are our new California Climate Action Corps fellows! We are delighted to be welcoming them to our office at the end of this month. 

Our Fellows are enthusiastic and dedicated partners in this fight. They will help to lead on climate-related projects in District 4, including enrolling CD4 constituents in underutilized climate-related incentive programs, and connecting CD4 businesses to food recovery organizations.

When it comes to addressing climate change in our district with these projects, our Fellows can’t do it alone! Sign up for our Volunteer Corps to get updates on how you can get involved to make a healthier future for our city. 

WE'RE HIRING!

Our team is looking for a Homelessness Liaison -- an individual with special expertise in and passion for addressing homelessness, who can represent our office in responding to homeless issues across the varied neighborhoods of the district. The ideal candidate will be a collaborative problem solver with a passion for working in local government, specifically on issues related to homelessness. Read more about the position and how to apply HERE.

WALKING WITH NEIGHBORS IN LOS FELIZ 

Councilmember Raman and our Field Manager Sarah joined Dawn and Gary, long-time Los Feliz residents, for one of their daily walks around the neighborhood, where they pick up litter along the way. In addition to accompanying their regular beautification, Councilmember Raman and Sarah were able to tag along in returning a lost check that Dawn and Gary had found on their walk earlier that week. Thank you Dawn and Gary for caring for your community and showing how we can make a difference when we all pitch in!

SHARING TREES IN SHERMAN OAKS 

Even in the heat, it was wonderful to spend the afternoon at the Sherman Oaks Farmers Market to speak with neighbors, shop locally, and hand out trees. 

Through their shade and moisture, trees play an important role in mitigating high temperatures. Thank you to CityPlants, LA Conservation Corps, Sherman Oaks Chamber, and our Field Manager Alex for helping us give out 120 total trees of all kinds. And a special thank you to all who took home a tree to care for!

Want to see a tree giveaway somewhere else in District 4? Let us know where you think we should go next, and check out the CityPlants website for more opportunities to get free trees, resources on tree care, and how to get involved. 

MEAL DISTRIBUTION IN AND AROUND DISTRICT 4

The simple act of sharing a hot meal can often go beyond fulfilling essential needs to build community and bring joy. We’ve had the chance to take a closer look at some of the wonderful organizations providing nourishment and joy to Angelenos, including many in our district. 

We first visited Project Angel Food, which prepares and delivers over one million medically tailored meals each year, free of charge to homes of those affected by life-threatening illnesses. We visited their Hollywood kitchen where Project Angel Food staff and volunteers prepped meals, while getting a tour from Executive Director Richard Ayoub, and then hit the road to distribute some meals in the district.

Our next visit was with St Vincent Meals On Wheels, the country’s largest privately funded senior nutrition program. We toured their facilities, and joined the SVMOW team to deliver hot meals to seniors in our district, along with electrolyte-rich products to help these seniors combat dehydration for this and future heat waves. 

Love is put into every meal these organizations make, and we’re grateful to be able to experience the happiness and connection they bring to residents across Los Angeles. 

CD4 VACCINATION POP-UP

We spent the week set up at Tahl Mah Sah Buddhist Temple offering free, no-appointment vaccinations and COVID testing to our neighbors. Thank you to all the volunteers who helped to staff our vaccination site, and who helped to spread the word!