LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Housing justice advocates and proponents of the Rental Affordability Act (RAA) today announced that several prominent activists and Black-led advocacy groups endorsed the November 2020 state ballot initiative that would allow for expansion of rent control throughout California. The Rev. Al Sharpton and the National Action Network (NAN), Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), Los Angeles Urban League (LAUL), In The Meantime Men's Group, Inc. (ITMT), Brotherhood Crusade, and L.A. City Councilmember Herb Wesson, Jr. (D-10) have all voiced their support for the RAA. They join Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) in calling for the need to expand rent control in the state.
"The Los Angeles Urban League proudly endorses the Rental Affordability Act. Millions of Californians who were already struggling with the ongoing housing affordability crisis now face even further displacement and homelessness because of the coronavirus pandemic. We must fight for all Californians to have access to stable and affordable housing," said Michael Lawson, President and CEO of the Los Angeles Urban League.
Even before the economic fallout caused by COVID-19 (which has disproportionately affected people of color), skyrocketing rents and rapid gentrification of historically Black neighborhoods have ravaged these communities leading to displacement and homelessness.
"Brotherhood Crusade is proud to endorse the Rental Affordability Act and join the fight for housing equity. The time is now to support our community with housing affordability," said Charisse Bremond Weaver, President and CEO, Brotherhood Crusade.
According to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), systemic racism has caused a disproportionate number of black people to become homeless in L.A. County, where 8 percent of the overall population is Black, but Black people represent 34 percent of the homeless population.
"I endorse the Rental Affordability Act because every human being is entitled to, at minimum, the necessities — food, water, shelter — and it is all of our responsibility to ensure this," said Jeffrey King, Founder and Executive Director, IMIT.
"We are incredibly humbled to receive support from such towering leaders and prominent organizations who fight for racial and economic justice every single day," said René Christian Moya, Housing Is A Human Right and Rental Affordability Act Campaign Director.
The organizations and activists are the latest in a growing list of endorsements by high-profile individuals and organizations to support the fight for rent control in California.
The RAA is sponsored by Homeowners & Tenants United, with significant funding by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation.
Learn more at https://www.rentcontrolnow.org and https://www.housinghumanright.org.
