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Were you unable to make a rent payment between May and July? Are you worried about what’s going to happen when eviction protections go out the window? You’re not alone. Also today: Another fatal LASD shooting, the County continues its battle against Grace Community Church, and Airbnb is finally getting with a city ordinance on short-term rentals. Finally, how’s LACMA looking these days? First, some newsy things.
Morning News Rundown
A study conducted in partnership with the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs and the USC Lusk Center for Real Estate underscores the economic distress Los Angeles renters are facing in the midst of the pandemic. 10% of sampled L.A. County renters did not pay at least one month’s rent between May and July, and 7% did not pay rent at all. 2% of households are now a full three months behind on rent, which translates to an estimated 40,000 households within the county. The big question is, what happens to these folks—many of whom are lower-income residents who have already dipped into their savings or taken on high-interest payday loans—after temporary eviction protections are removed? The answer is both painful and obvious: Homelessness is likely to increase significantly in L.A. County as waves of evictions are eventually processed. [UCLA]
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On the topic of eviction relief, Gov. Gavin Newsom is signing a new state bill that will offer eviction protection through February 2021 for some—but not all—California renters unable to make good on owed rent. Pointedly, the bill will not provide rent forgiveness for tenants, nor will it offer financial aid to landlords faced with mortgage payments on properties where tenants can’t pay. [Cal Matters]
On Monday afternoon, a man riding a bicycle was stopped for a code violation near the intersection West 109th Place and Budlong Avenue in Westmont. According to Sheriff’s investigators, 29-year-old Dijon Kizzee punched a deputy and ran from the scene after the stop. Witnesses say Kizzee was shot multiple times as he fled. Investigators allege he was carrying a gun, which he dropped prior to the shooting. Cell phone footage from bystanders captured the incident. Minutes later, a small crowd gathered in protest. LASD says the investigation is ongoing. [CBS Los Angeles]
The battle between Grace Community Church and the County of Los Angeles has taken another turn. In a move to disrupt the church’s ongoing indoor worship services (which go against public health orders), L.A. County sent a notice to terminate the church’s lease on its parking lot. Pastor John MacArthur previously told his parishioners (who routinely number in the thousands) that it was “good news” that the church was defying County orders to wear masks and avoid indoor gatherings. In August, a court ruling sided with the church, saying that County could not ban the Sunday service. [Patch]
For the small biz owners out there, Round 4 of the COVID-19 Recovery Fund is now open. The $3 million fund provides aid for micro-entrepreneurs, small businesses, and nonprofits. A limited number of $5,000-$15,000 grants are awarded each round. [We Like L.A.]
Airbnb is finally set to implement a new system meant to weed out listings that violate a city ordinance on short-term rentals. The ordinance, which went into effect last November, includes a requirement for host registration, along with a cap of 120 rental days per unit per year. [LA Mag]
Which intersection in Los Angeles produces the most accidents a year? Crosstown digs into LAPD’s public data to find the answer. [Crosstown]
LACMA Construction Update
How’s the remodel over at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art going? See for yourself. Kevin Roderick (@laobserved) posted some pics of the current state to his feed, which he described as “utter destruction.”
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