LOS ANGELES—Yesterday, Los Angeles city leaders introduced a new ordinance as a compromise to Unite Here Local 11’s “Homeless in Hotels” ballot measure. This new structured program removes significant safety risks for hotel employees and visitors concerned about turning every hotel in Los Angeles into homeless shelters.
The Los Angeles City Council proposal will formalize a voluntary housing program that will replace the union’s March 5, 2024 ballot measure, which mandated hotel housekeepers become the first line of care for unhoused Angelenos.
“We are grateful that the LA City Council found a path to a common-sense solution that will protect hotel employees from the ballot measure proponent’s very harmful proposal,” said Lynn S. Mohrfeld, President and CEO of the California Hotel & Lodging Assn.
“We appreciate the City Council for delivering a reasonable solution to ensure that our hotel community is thriving and able to continue providing excellent careers and economic benefits to our iconic neighborhoods throughout Los Angeles,” said Heather Rozman, President and CEO of the Hotel Association of Los Angeles.
“While we are still reviewing the details of this proposal, it’s encouraging that city leaders are publicly acknowledging that the dangerous ‘homeless-in-hotels’ ballot measure would be a disaster for Los Angeles and its hotel workers,” said Chip Rogers, President and CEO of the American Hotel and Lodging Assn.
Unite Here Local 11’s Unhoused in Hotels ballot measure demanded:
- Every LA hotel provides nightly shelter without security or care service;
- LA distribute vouchers daily to unhoused applicants with no restrictions on individuals with mental illness and addictions; and
- Taxpayers fund LA’s anticipated extraordinary administrative and legal fees.
