|
It’s Official…Rushmore Cervantes is the General Manager!
 The HCIDLA affects the lives of millions of Angelinos, either directly or indirectly, with its broad mandate to “create viable urban communities by advocating for safe and livable neighborhoods”. The General Manager directs the activities of over 600 employees that help set housing policy, develop affordable housing, oversee the inspection of multifamily housing to ensure its preservation and safety, oversee the administration of the Rent Stabilization Ordinance, and select non-profits to assist constituencies with special housing needs such as the homeless, battered women, persons with AIDS, and others. On August 18, 2014, the Los Angeles City Council confirmed Mr. Rushmore Cervantes as HCIDLA’s permanent General Manager and the person who will be responsible for implementing the department’s mandate. In accepting his confirmation, Mr. Cervantes promised, “…to improve the quality of lives of our constituents as well as the homes and neighborhoods they reside in…”
Mr. Cervantes grew up in Los Angeles and began his City career in 1993. He garnered experience as a buyer for a short period of time at the Department of Water & Power and the General Services Department, as an analyst for the City Administrative Officer providing fiscal and policy analysis to the City Council and Mayor, and later asAssistant General Manager, Interim General Manager, Chief Deputy Controller, Acting City Controller, and Executive Officer at the Department of Aging, the El Pueblo Historical Monument, the Office of the City Controller and, for the last five years, the HCIDLA. Over the years, Mr. Cervantes has consistently enhanced constituent services and operational efficiencies by continuously seeking improvements and by building consensus. He is talented in tackling complex issues, reducing them to common denominators and communicating with interested stakeholders to enable their participation in developing policies all can live with. Mr. Cervantes stated, “The department will continue to foster a dialog between landlords and tenants to ensure both are heard and continue to be part of the solutions.”
He is currently working with other City agencies and stakeholders on several important matters that are of interest to landlords and tenants, including:
·Reinforcement of multifamily buildings with “soft-story” or brick masonry conditions to minimize collapse during an earthquake.
·The preservation of unapproved (aka, unpermitted) housing units to minimize the displacement of those tenants least able to replace low-cost housing.
·Development of a system to provide near real-time information of available affordable and accessible rental housing for prospective tenants.
·Finding alternate locations for HCIDLA’s San Fernando Valley and East Regional Offices to better respond to constituents in the San Fernando Valley and East LA.
HCIDLA is proud to have a General Manager with a diverse background and expertise with City policies, which will allow him to accomplish the duties in this new role and positively impact the communities of the City, of which he serves. Read more…
The Gateway to Green Program for a Green City
By: Rebecca Ronquillo, Housing, Planning & Economic Analyst and Robert Galardi, Principal Inspector
Helping property owners and tenants maximize their green investments to create a more sustainable city and improve the quality of life for all Los Angeles residents is one of Mayor Garcetti’s goals. The Gateway to Green (G2G) Program, launched in July 2014 by the Los Angeles Housing + Community Investment Department (HCIDLA), will help property owners save money, water and energy, as it supports the Mayor’s initiatives. Read more…
Avoid Citations…Get Permits!
By: Christy Kelly, Sr. Housing Inspector and Donya Plazo, Sr. Management Analyst I.
Landlord Responsibilities – Property owners are responsible for correcting conditions that violate Los Angeles Municipal Code requirements and keeping their rental properties well maintained. HCIDLA Code Inspectors frequently cite conditions associated with unpermitted changes to buildings. Often landlords are simply not aware that permits and inspection approvals are required. Read more…
LAMC Requirements – The Los Angeles Municipal Code Section 91.106.1 states that: “No person shall erect, construct, alter, repair, demolish, remove or move any building or structure, …unless said person has obtained a permit therefore from LADBS”. Read more…
Water Heaters & Windows – Do water heater changes and window change-outs need permits? YES! Moving or replacing water heaters and window frame replacements installed without permits and approvals from LADBS are frequently cited conditions. The safety ramifications of improper water heater installations may include sudden hot water pressure release capable of causing burns, explosion, flooding, and the threat of fire from an open flame. Read more…
Correct Violations Promptly – If a building is cited for work done without the required permit(s) and/or inspection approvals, the landlord should take action to remedy the conditions to ensure the building is safe and habitable. This can be done by restoring the building to its prior approved condition. Read more…
RSO Cost Recovery Program Services
Primary Renovation & Tenant Habitability Programs –
There are two major components to the Primary Renovation Program:
1) The Tenant Habitability Program; and
2) Primary Renovation Cost Recovery Program.
Primary renovation work involves the replacement or substantial modification of major building systems or the abatement of hazardous materials. Such work oftenmakes rental units temporarily uninhabitable. The Tenant Habitability Program requires landlords to mitigate conditions related to primary renovation work that may render occupied rental units temporarily uninhabitable, either through precautions to ensure that tenants can safely remain in place during construction or through the temporary relocation of tenants to replacement housing. Prior to starting construction activities, landlords must file a Tenant Habitability Plan with the HCIDLA. Read more…
Landlord-Tenant Information Workshops
The HCIDLA invites the public to attend free workshops to be conducted monthly at various locations. These workshops provide an overview of the Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO) and are especially helpful for tenants and new landlords and property managers or those considering purchasing rental properties in Los Anageles. Upcoming schedule and topics are listed. Read more…
Quick Facts
-Interest on Tenants’ for 2014 is 0.18%.
-The Annual Allowable Rent Increase of RSO units for 2014-15 is 3% plus one percent for gas and one percent for electricity, if the landlord pays the full cost of the utility.
Do you have a Question?
For assistance regarding the Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO) or Code related questions, call our HOTLINE at (866) 557-7368 (RENT) Read more…
Housing Discrimination?
Invividuals who feel they have been discriminated against with regard to housing, or landlords or tenants who have questions regarding disability rights or other housing related issues may contact the Housing Rights Center at (213) 387-8400. Read more…
|
