SUBJECT: Stop Spending Millions to Block Affordable Housing
TO: councilmember.hernandez@lacity.org; lyric.kelkar@lacity.org; Councilmember.Nazarian@lacity.org; councilmember.blumenfield@lacity.org; keith.banks@lacity.org; contactCD4@lacity.org; mashael.majid@lacity.org; councilmember.yaroslavsky@lacity.org; Andrew.deblock@lacity.org; councilmember.padilla@lacity.org; lamont.cobb@lacity.org; councilmember.rodriguez@lacity.org; marie.rumsey@lacity.org; sean.starkey@lacity.org; councilmember.harris-dawson@lacity.org; councilmember.price@lacity.org; cd10@lacity.org; andrew.westall@lacity.org; councilmember.soto-martinez@lacity.org; sachin.medhekar@lacity.org; councilmember.jurado@lacity.org; steve.diaz@lacity.org; councilmember.mcosker@lacity.org; Pamela.Thornton@lacity.org; anissa.raja@lacity.org; councilmember.Lee@lacity.org; councilmember.park@lacity.org;
Dear Councilmembers,
I am writing to urge you to vote no on the City Attorney’s latest request on March 25, 2026 (Report No. R26-0160) for additional outside counsel funding related to the Venice Dell project.
With this third funding request, the City will have spent nearly $2 million in taxpayer funds to fight an affordable housing development that our community urgently needs. In addition to the legal costs, the City faces over $10 million in damages for blocking this project. This continued allocation of public resources toward prolonged litigation raises serious concerns about the City’s fiscal responsibility and priorities.
Not only does this pose a financial burden to Los Angeles, but the State’s Housing Accountability Unit has already raised concerns that due to these actions, the City may be found in violation of Housing Element law. Continued action down this path could jeopardize the City’s Prohousing designation and expose Los Angeles to significant penalties, including fines, state sanctions, and even loss of local control over zoning and development decisions.
Our City should be investing in solutions—not escalating costly legal battles that strain public resources and delay much-needed affordable housing. Please deny the additional $650,000 requested by the City Attorney.
Sincerely,
