Hello Mia,

A core tenant of my campaign has always been that we must address the root causes of issues. In housing, that means getting to the core of why so many of our neighbors lose their housing - like rising rent prices, increased housing ownership by investment entities, stagnant wages… Why? Because policies that ignore systemic root causes and punish outcomes contribute to cycles of poverty and houselessness.

Tomorrow, City Council will be voting on a massive expansion of a policy that criminalizes unhoused people for existing - LA Municipal Code Sec. 41.18. Here’s a short excerpt from the ordinance that conveys the type of behavior criminalized: “No person shall obstruct a street, sidewalk, or other public right-of-way: by sitting, lying, or sleeping…” This policy removes visible signs of houselessness by violently displacing people from the few places they’ve found to rest on, while not offering any resources or housing or safer spaces. Under 41.18, City Council has the authority to order LAPD to clear (usually including arrests) unhoused people from entire sections of the city and also, anyone else who happens to sit in the wrong place for a bit too long!

Thanks to the great work of fellow candidate-for-office, Kenneth Mejia, we know that this expansion will add approximately 1,900 additional sites – a 376% increase in exclusionary zones across the city. 41.18 will cover at least 88 sq miles (that’s 20% of the entire city).

I'm joining the rally to make it clear to my City Councilmember that I do not support this policy.

A jail cell is not an alternative to a home. We cannot continue to criminalize being unhoused as a response to our housing crisis. LAMC 41.18 is part of a narrative that tries to paint unhoused individuals as scary or dangerous. I refuse to buy into any narrative that dehumanizes our neighbors. We need elected officials who respond with compassion - not criminalization - when they see a person without a safe place to sleep.

We live in one of the richest cities in a state with a giant economy in the wealthiest country in the world. Yet, our government has failed to protect our right to a safe home ...and I’m betting it has something to do with our campaign donation laws. That is why I do not take donations from developers or real estate interests. I will fight for renter protections to keep people housed and champion Housing for All policies. 

In the Assembly, I will introduce and support legislation that makes housing as a human right a reality in California. Let’s put vacant properties to use - I’ll focus on policies that seize vacant state properties and tax vacant apartment units (vacant rental units can drive up local rents by manufacturing scarcity). Let’s invest in building permanent supportive housing - a housing model that ties together housing, counseling, and additional resources.

Too many in our communities lack housing. And too many are one missed paycheck, health emergency, or bad luck accident away from losing their housing. We have the resources to ensure everyone has a safe place to live. We just need to take our government back from special interests!

I hope you will join me tomorrow morning in fighting for a more just and affordable California at the rally to repeal 41.18 at 9:30 AM at Los Angeles City Hall.

See you there!

In Solidarity,

Mia

UPCOMING EVENTS:

#TeamMia All-Volunteer Meeting

Thursday, July 28th at 7 pm

Register Here for Zoom Link

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Team Mia "Pass the Primary" Celebration BBQ

Sunday, July 31st from 1 PM - 5 PM

Elysian Park

BUY YOUR TICKET HERE

$10 suggested donation

Free entry for children under 5

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"On to the General" Canvass Kick Off in Hermon

Saturday, August 6th from 10 am - 1 pm

SIGN UP HERE

Canvass in El Sereno

Sunday, August 7th from 2 pm - 5 pm

SIGN UP HERE

Canvass in Lincoln Heights

Wednesday, August 10th from 11 am - 2 pm

SIGN UP HERE

Canvass in Belvedere

Saturday, August 13th from 10 am - 1 pm

SIGN UP HERE

Canvass in East LA

Sunday, August 14th from 2 pm - 5 pm

SIGN UP HERE

Paid for by Mia Livas Porter for Assembly 2022 - FPPC ID# 1436497.