After establishing a historic Rent Stabilization Ordinance in 2022, the Bell Gardens City Council has seen an increase in the number of landlords demanding major changes to the ordinance. At the February 26th 2024 meeting, organizers and community members throughout Southeast Los Angeles came together during public comment to advocate in favor of preserving the ordinance.

Bell Gardens’ Rent Stabilization Ordinance, the first in Southeast LA County, was the result of a community-driven effort by California Latinas for Reproductive Justice (CLRJ) and Union de Vecinas (UDV). The group said the ordinance was aimed at “keeping families together while preventing displacement and homelessness.”

During public comment, Martha Pineda, a Bell Gardens community advocate, thanked the Council for their vocal support for Women’s History Month, and said “I think what the Council can do to celebrate and respect the lives of working class women, working class mothers and grandmothers in your community, is to preserve the tenant protections you have in place.”

Pineda added “The only right decision here in regard to housing is to keep the rent stabilization and the rental registry as it is, no changes, no amendments.”

Melody, a resident of Southeast Los Angeles, said “Many of these landlords in Bell Gardens have held these home titles for twenty, thirty plus years. Situations were so different then. Mortgages were only about 500 dollars a month. Many of their homes are paid off now, and all that is left is profits to be made.”

On the ordinance, Melody said “Choosing to even consider revoking something that took years to pass, many efforts, would be a true injustice to the community. Rental registries offer very important, up-to-date information on the housing landscape. I ask you to continue to standing by the choices you’ve made to protect the community.”

Jasmine Gonzalez, a member of the community who participated in the development of the ordinance, said “It saddens me that you are all entertaining the idea of making changes to the ordinance. There were many experts that came to speak on the topic. This ordinance has helped a lot of residents keep their housing by keeping rents to a manageable level.”

Jorge Rivera, a small rental property owner, said “The truth is, as a property owner, I am under an incorporated Rental Stabilization Ordinance (RSO), and it still allows me to raise rents at a reasonable level. As a property owner I’m making tens of thousands of dollars just sitting around collecting rent. I have privilege and power that my tenants do not. I hold their very well-being in my hands.”

In a counter to other landlords who have previously spoken at Bell Gardens City Council, Rivera said “As a matter of fact, rental control stabilizes communities. It stabilizes communities and it helps create safer communities. Rent stabilized communities inject more money into the local economy because people have more money to spend. As leaders of low-income communities it is your job to defend rent control.”

Jose Luis Sanchez, of Manufacture Housing Action (MHAction), said “If the ordinance is modified, people are going to suffer. For landlords this is more about making a profit. For people living in these situations it’s about literally being homeless, it’s their livelihood at stake. Please seriously consider what you’re doing before putting them out on the street.”

Juan Martinez, a Delegate for the 64th Assembly District which includes Bell Gardens, said “I support the rent control framework that has already been established. The rental registry—that is an amazing idea. You guys were one of the first cities to lead in the County doing that. I know that landlords who want to fill up their pockets with money at the expense of people ending up in the streets don’t care—but you need to care. Do the right thing and support the community.”

Rodolfo Cortes, one of the co-founders of the Downey Tenants Union, which advocated for the Bell Gardens ordinance after the failure to establish such an ordinance in Downey, said “Don’t lose your way. Stay with the people, with the poor. Don’t let yourselves be deceived. Keep the Rent Stabilization Ordinance, and improve it to help the poor.”

Joaquin Beltran and Nicole Lopez, both candidates for the Congressional seat that includes Bell Gardens, also spoke up in support of the community. Observers noted that Congressman Robert Garcia did not himself file a comment on rent stabilization, and has been faulted for being opposed to rent control during his years as Long Beach Mayor.

Lopez said “Affordable housing is a matter of life and death. By undermining rent control and rental registries, we are directly threatening the lives of our most vulnerable community members. Let’s ensure that housing remains affordable and accessible for all of us.”

Beltran said “Just like healthcare is a human right, housing is a human right. We should use our money for housing, not American hellfire missiles. This rental registry should be either subsidized by the County or by the federal government. Let’s stop investing in wars, stop bombing innocent people in Palestine. Let’s invest in our people here at home. Free Palestine.”

The community is expected to continue to attend the meetings to defend the Rent Stabilization Ordinance. Bell Gardens City Council meets every second and fourth Monday.