LA Forward's Voter Guide is here + everything you need for this election

We’re feeling the crunch! There are less than three weeks until election day – here are the events and resources you need to get through the final stretch. We are especially excited to announce our most comprehensive voter guide ever — it covers candidates and ballot measures for 30+ local cities, LA County, and the State of California. We are also proud to announce our most recent round of endorsed candidates and our new Action Fund to help support them!

In addition to our voter guide, we’re offering many ways to learn what’s on the ballot. We’re hosting a special Ballot Proposition Breakdown session to help walk you through the overwhelming number of props and measures on your ballot this year. Ballot Parties are coming up in Pomona, Covina, North Hollywood and Long Beach. If you’re a last-minute voter, make sure you come to our ballot cram session on Nov 4th and get your vote in on time!

Check out the phenomenal latest episodes of What’s Next, Los Angeles?  podcast, where Mike Bonin interviews guests to get the full story on Measure G (LA County governance reform), Prop 4 (climate protection funding)  Prop 33 (rent control), and Prop 36 (repeals criminal justice reforms). 

And please take our survey and help shape the future of LA Forward, if you haven't already filled it out!

The 2024 LA Forward Voter Guide

The very first thing LA Forward ever did when we were launched in 2016 was to create a voter guide to all the propositions on the ballot. Since then, we’ve done an extensive voter guide for every major election. In 2022, we began endorsing and featuring candidates for the first time ever. This year, we recommended more candidates than ever before, getting involved in cities across LA County such as Santa Monica, Culver City, Burbank, West Covina, Claremont, and Pomona in addition to our usual LA City and Countywide recommendations. 

Please share the voter guide with your networks, and vote by Tuesday, November 5!

Get Your Voter Guide

Our Endorsed Candidates

LA Forward endorses progressive candidates for local office after a comprehensive and deliberative process that ensures you can trust our recommendation. Based on questionnaires and interviews, our endorsement task force makes recommendations to our dues-paying members, who vote on them. Check out our endorsements and please follow the links on this page to learn more about the candidates, donate and volunteer! 

Want to support this work? Make a contribution to our new Action Fund! The purpose of LA Forward Action Fund is to raise money to support our endorsed candidates and ballot measures. Our goal right now is to make the maximum possible contribution to our endorsed candidate in cities across Los Angeles County.

More Ballot Parties! 

Four down and four to go! LA Forward community members are loving ballot parties for breaking down hard-to-digest propositions and races into bite size pieces. Why struggle through your ballot alone when you can get all the resources you need while having a great time? Join us at an upcoming ballot party:

10/22 - Pomona
10/24 - Covina
10/24 - North Hollywood
10/30 - Long Beach

Ballot Proposition Breakdown - Oct 21

There are ten state propositions on the ballot and dozens more measures for LA County and its many cities. It’s a LOT to keep track of— we are here to help you make sense of it all! Join me as I explain the key measures and answer your questions.

Phonebank for Measure A - Oct 22

Join the LA Forward Housing Justice Working Group alongside other organizations to help get the word out about Measure A and how it will create more homes we can afford! There will be a short training on Zoom at 5:00pm to provide you with the tools that you need to reach out to voters using our phone banking system.

Ballot Cram Session - Nov 4

Left your ballot to the very last minute? Don’t fret! We’re here to help walk you through it and understand your options. Bring your ballot and join LA Forward staff on Zoom for help on getting it done and making sure your questions are answered.

If you have any questions about these programs, please reach out to LA Forward Deputy Director, Godfrey Plata, at godfrey@laforward.org. 

Don't forget to check out our 2024 Voter Guide. If you find our guide helpful, please share it with your networks and consider donating to the LA Forward Action Fund to support this work and our endorsed candidates.

In solidarity,

David Levitus
Executive Director
LA Forward

Ballot Parties are back -- learn everything you need to know about voting this election!

We can hardly believe it’s October and ballots start arriving in mailboxes next week! That’s why we packed this month with ways for you to get educated on what’s on the ballot, take action, and vote together. That’s right – vote together. We are excited to host a series of ballot parties across the county so you can navigate your ballot with like-minded Angelenos while having fun!

And join us for our Monthly Meeting on October 8th where we’ll answer your burning questions about candidates, ballot measures and more.Dive further into what’s on the ballot with the OUR LA coalition and get a charter reform ballot preview, plus ways for you to get involved with the charter commission. 

We’ll also be phonebanking for District Attorney George Gascón’s re-election campaign, textbanking for the Defenders of Justice, rallying for Measures DD+LL, and continuing with week four of our election action support zooms! 

We need your input on the future of LA Forward -- we'd be grateful if you fill out our community survey by the weekend if you haven't already!

Ballot Parties Across the County

You don’t need to face your ballot alone. We’re hosting ballot parties across the county over the next month -- from Culver City to Covina! Bring your mail-in ballot and fill it out in community with appetizers and refreshments. If you’ve got questions, there’ll be people around you to help you figure out how to navigate your ballot and its many choices. Join us (bring your friends/family/neighbors!) for an informal, fun, and surprisingly productive way to participate in our democracy. Here are all our ballot party dates: 

• Oct 10 - Highland Park

• Oct 15 - Culver City

• Oct 15 - On Zoom with SGV Swing Left

• Oct 16 - Pasadena

• Oct 22 - Pomona

• Oct 24 - Covina

• Oct 24 - North Hollywood

October Monthly Meeting - Oct 8

This monthly meeting will focus oneverything election. You'll receive your ballot in the mail next week, so we’ll make sure you have all the information you need to vote. You’ll have a chance to ask any of your election-related questions, and also take a small action to make a big impact to help your friends and family vote too. And as always, we’ll get updates from our working groups too.

OUR LA Charter Reform Ballot Preview + Charter Commission Opportunities - Oct 7

This general election, LA City and LA County voters will have the opportunity to change the way their governments run via SIX charter amendments on the LA City Ballot and one charter amendment at the LA County level. Come find out more about what's on your ballot, AND find out how you can continue to change how LA City is governed via a new commission being formed. Want to be on it? Want to inform it? Join us to explore your options!

Rally and Press Conference: YES on Measures DD and LL - Oct 9

October 9th marks the 2-year anniversary of the leaked audio tape that shed light to the racism and corruption that plagues City Hall and our current redistricting system. This October 9th we come together to make clear – we run LA, not politicians – and call on voters to vote Yes on Measures DD & LL this November. Angelenos for Fair Maps will rally and hold a press conference at City Hall to ensure voters vote YES on Measures DD (LA City Independent Redistricting) and LL (LAUSD Independent Redistricting). Can we count on you to be there? RSVP here. If you want to learn more about these measures, check out the recording from the campaign kickoff event here.

Lunchbreak Textbank with the Defenders of Justice - Oct 7

Bring your lunch (to Zoom!) and help us text voters to keep an eye out for their ballots AND vote for our endorsed judicial candidates running as The Defenders of Justice: Ericka Wiley for Seat 48 and George Turner for Seat 39. All you need is your computer, internet access, your lunch, and a working finger.

Phonebank for George Gascón - Oct 8

Right after our monthly meeting, stay with us to take election action! Join LA Forward and other supporters to phonebank for DA George Gascon's re-election campaign. Throughout George’s tenure, he’s fought to reform our criminal justice system to build an L.A. County that is not only safer but also fairer and more just. Help us spread the word.

If you have any questions about these programs, please reach out to LA Forward Deputy Director, Godfrey Plata, at godfrey@laforward.org. We look forward to seeing you soon! 

In solidarity,
LA Forward
 

Candidate Forums + What's on the Ballot Teach-ins + Election Action!

We’re only halfway through September and we’ve already doubled the number of opportunities for you to learn, take action and build community this election season! Ballots drop October 7th, and there are so many candidates and critical ballot measures to learn about before then. We’re excited to announce that we will be co-hosting an in-person Assembly District 44 Candidate Forum on September 26 to hear from candidates Nick Schultz and Tony Rodriguez on their plans for housing and unarmed crisis response. And don’t miss your chance to meet LA Forward endorsed candidate Jillian Burgos for LA City Council!

Our Housing Justice Group will break down Housing Justice on the Ballot: Measure A + Props 5 and 33. We’re also hosting the campaign kickoff for Angelenos for Fair Maps, YES on Measures DD & LL, and we have a special phonebank to support Measure A, which means more affordable housing!

Do you know what the Department of City Planning has to do with affordable housing and why it’s a critical time to be paying attention? Find out TOMORROW at a special teach-in with ACT-LA, and join us for the Housing Justice Showcase on Sept 21 to explore initiatives for affordable housing from LAFI's Housing Academy cohort.

Meet other community members working for wins in November during our Weekly Election Action Support Zooms starting this Wednesday, and attend the Sawtelle Meetup to connect with your neighbors on the Westside. 

If you missed any of our teach-ins and conversations over the past month, don't worry. We recorded them and you can find our teach-ins on Measure A, Grants Pass, Social Housing Development 101, and Report Forward Live: Social Housing, all at this link.

And if you haven’t already, make sure to subscribe to Mike Bonin’s podcast What’s Next Los Angeles?, newly in partnership with LA Forward. He covered the history of labor in LA, death of newspapers, and had a conversation with the chair of the Los Angeles County Democratic Party in recent episodes. New episodes drop every Monday!

LA Forward Institute's Assembly District 44 Candidate Forum - Sept 26

In partnership with Housing Now!, LA Forward Institute is excited to be hosting a non-partisan forum for the two candidates running to replace current Assembly District 44 Assemblymember Laura Friedman: Nick Schultz and Tony Rodriguez. In particular, candidates will be asked to share their commitments and policy proposals to address urgent issues related to housing and unarmed crisis response in the San Fernando Valley and beyond. Food and beverages will be provided. RSVP here.

Meet Jillian Burgos for LA City Council - Sept 19

Come meet LA Forward endorsed candidate Jillian Burgos. She's running to bring a renter’s voice to LA City Council in a district that has never been represented by a renter (City Council District 2, based in the Southeast San Fernando Valley). Join us for an evening of getting to know Jillian! RSVP here.

Housing Justice on the Ballot: Measure A + Props 5 and 33 - Sept 23

In LA County, we as voters have the opportunity to be our OWN legislators for housing justice this November! With ballots dropping in just two weeks, there is much work to be done to ensure LA County Measure A passes, AND there are also two key state ballot measures that could change the game for Californians: Prop 5, which would lower the threshold of voter approval necessary to pass local bond measures (for housing, for example!), and Prop 33, which would enable local governments to finally introduce rent control measures that make a real difference for regular people. Join us to find out more about how you can support these important measures! RSVP here.

Phonebank for Measure A! - Sept 24

After you learn about Measure A on the 23rd, join us on the 24th alongside other organizations to help get the word out about Measure A and how it will create more homes we can afford, more mental health care, and more accountability! There will be a short training on Zoom at 5:00pm to provide you with the tools that you need to reach out to voters using a phone banking system. RSVP here.

Angelenos for Fair Maps Campaign Kick-off - Sept 25

IT'S TIME! We're kicking off the YES on Measures DD and LL campaign! Grassroots organizations have worked with LA City Council to put TWO measures on the upcoming ballot that can establish independent redistricting commissions for the City of Los Angeles (Measure DD) and Los Angeles Unified School District (Measure LL). Angelenos for Fair Maps – Yes on Measures DD & LL! puts important decision-making power about our futures back in the hands of Angelenos, and out of the hands of power-hungry politicians. Celebrate this opportunity for a stronger democracy and learn how you can take action, by RSVPing to this kick-off Zoom! We need to win this! RSVP here.

Upcoming LA City Planning Ordinances: Time to Take Action! - Sept 17th

LA City Planning will have a final hearing soon about ordinances that will either enable or exclude affordable housing in our neighborhoods, and prevent displacement in gentrifying communities -- or not. Find out more about these important draft ordinances and what you can do to help City Planning lean toward housing affordability for all Angelenos. We'll be joined by members and experts at the ACT-LA coalition. RSVP here.

Sawtelle Community Meet-up - Sept 18 

Join members in the Sawtelle area who have been building community through monthly meetings since March. If you're in or around Sawtelle and want to connect with other community members wanting to make your neighborhood more of the neighborhood you know it can be, register to get the meet-up address, hosted in-person by a fellow Sawtelle resident! RSVP here.

Weekly Election Action Support - Sept 18

Join us for our first of many weekly election support zooms! We’ll come together to talk about what each of us is working on, and set goals for the week ahead. Check out our list of election action resources to get started, or bring the work you’re doing that’s not on our list. This will be an interactive and conversational event. RSVP here.

 San Gabriel Valley Housing Justice Showcase - Sept 21

Over the last six months, residents across the SGV have participated in LA Forward Institute’s SGV Community Leadership for Affordable Housing Academy to build policy, advocacy, and organizing skills to support affordable housing production (and more!) in their communities. Now, they’re ready to pitch their initiatives to community members who also want to preserve, protect, and produce affordable housing for their neighborhoods. You’re invited to hear their ideas, decide which ones you would support, and celebrate their leadership over lunch — on us! RSVP here.

If you have any questions about these programs, please reach out to me, Godfrey Plata, at godfrey@laforward.org. We look forward to seeing you soon! 

In solidarity,

Godfrey Plata
Deputy Director
LA Forward

Meet The Candidates + Take Election Action Together + Learn About Social Housing !

We're diving into an action-packed September, full of opportunities for you to jump-start election season! Hear from our endorsed campaigns at our Monthly Meeting, come to our presidential debate watch party, and read-on for a save-the-date for an opportunity to meet one of our endorsed candidates. We're also kicking off Weekly Election Action Support Zooms starting September 18th; it's always more fun to take action together, so let's set ourselves up to win in November. 

And that's not all. Explore affordable housing solutions at our in person SGV Housing Justice Showcase and Report Forward LIVE about social housing happening tomorrow evening (Thursday 9/5) on zoom with Alissa Walker. And for thought-provoking insights on Los Angeles, tune into Mike Bonin’s podcast, What’s Next Los Angeles?, newly in partnership with LA Forward! 

If you're new to our community, welcome! We're excited to invite you to our Community Orientation happening just before the September Monthly Meeting. 

September Monthly Meeting - September 12

Join us for this special Monthly Meeting featuring representatives from each of our endorsed campaigns. Learn about who we’re supporting and how you can get involved. You’ll also get juicy updates on the work happening across LA Forward– from climate and housing justice, to unarmed crisis response and more. RSVP for the meeting here. 

Orientation to the LA Forward Community - September 12

If you’re new to LA Forward or just need a refresher on who we are, we encourage you to join us for a 30-minute orientation before the Monthly Meeting. You’ll learn about the family of organizations that make up LA Forward and how we’re working towards our mission of making LA County a fair, flourishing place for everyone. After the orientation from 6:30-7pm, jump straight into our September Monthly meeting from 7-8pm! RSVP for the orientation here.

Report Forward LIVE: Social Housing! - September 5

Join a conversation with journalist Alissa Walker and LAFI Executive Director David Levitus about the Vienna social housing model, spotlighted in the August 2024 issue of Report Forward, David’s experiences visiting Vienna social housing last Spring, and the exciting new possibilities for social housing in LA County. RSVP here.

Weekly Election Action Support Zooms - September 18

Do you want to take action this election season but don’t know where to start? Do you feel like you need other active folks to hold you accountable? Join us for our first of many weekly election action support zooms! We’ll come together every Wednesday until election day to talk about what each of us is working on, and set goals for the week ahead. Check out our list of election action resources to get started, or bring the work you’re doing that’s not on our list. This will be an interactive and conversational event. RSVP for September 18th here, and then go to our calendar to RSVP to each of our future election action support zooms.

Debate Watch Party + Postcarding for Ysabel - September 10

Speaking of the election, don’t watch the presidential debate alone! Come to our debate watch party at Block Party in Highland Park, in collaboration with Ysabel Jurado’s campaign for CD14. Meet new and old friends, cheer and gasp together, AND we’ll be post carding for Ysabel too! RSVP at this link (bit.ly/cd14volunteer).

Save the Date: Meet Jillian Burgos for CD-2 - September 19

Save the Date! Come meet LA Forward endorsed Candidate Jillian Burgos. Jillian is running to bring a renter’s voice to City Council in a district that has never been represented by a renter. She is deeply aligned on policy with LA Forward’s members and is passionate about programs that support marginalized communities, protect renters, invest in compassionate solutions for the unhoused, expand public transit access, and much more. This event will take place over Zoom on the evening of September 19th. More info and an RSVP link to come soon, mark your calendars!

SGV Housing Justice Showcase - September 21

Over the last six months, residents across the SGV have participated in LA Forward Institute’s SGV Community Leadership for Affordable Housing Academy to build policy, advocacy, and organizing skills to support affordable housing production (and more!) in their communities. Now, they’re ready to pitch their initiatives to community members who also want to preserve, protect, and produce affordable housing for their neighborhoods. You’re invited to hear their ideas, decide which ones you would support, and celebrate their leadership over lunch — on us! RSVP here.

LA Forward Presents What's Next Los Angeles?With Mike Bonin

We have exciting news! LA Forward is teaming up with Mike Bonin’s podcast What’s Next, Los Angeles? On WNLA, Mike Bonin – a writer, teacher, progressive activist and former LA City Councilmember – looks at the issues and problems facing Los Angeles, examines ideas, and talks with the people who will lead us to a brighter future. He kicked off a new season last week by interviewing Marqueece Harris-Dawson, the newly elected President of the LA City Council. And on Labor Day, he examined the history of organized labor in Los Angeles. Look out for new episodes every week. You can listen here, or wherever you get your podcasts.

If you have any questions about these programs, please reach out to our Deputy Director, Godfrey Plata, at godfrey@laforward.org. We look forward to seeing you soon! 
 

In solidarity,

David Levitus
Executive Director
LA Forward
 

Understanding Measure A 👏 - better solutions for our County

This is big – Measure A is OFFICIALLY on this November’s ballot. Here’s what to know and why it matters.

Measure A is a citizen’s initiative that was written by a coalition of housing experts, mental health professionals, labor leaders and community advocates and was put on the ballot after being signed by over 400,000 neighbors across LA County.

And Measure A does four important things.

1. First, it creates more homes we can afford by not just building more housing for people in need, but also addressing the root causes of housing insecurity.

2. Second, it expands access to mental health care, while also providing more addiction and trauma services to those living on our streets.

3. Third, it keeps our communities safe by increasing more emergency housing and mental health support in times of crisis.

4. And finally, it does all of the above with an unprecedented level of accountability, with audits and citizen oversight to make sure we invest in the programs that work, not the ones that don’t.

One last thing – 

If we don’t pass Measure A, funding for existing housing and mental health services that currently serve over 35,000 of our neighbors will be cut. That means homelessness could increase by 25%, and LA will become even less affordable for all of us. We can’t let that happen.

Want to learn more about Measure A? LA Forward Institute hosted a teach-in last week that covers the details of the measure, and gives you the tools and language to talk about Measure A with your communities. Watch the teach-in here. 

Now that you know more about Measure A, here’s what you can do to help.

• Follow Measure A on Facebook, Instagram, and X

• Once you’ve done that, sign up to learn more on their website. 

• Last but not least, let us know how you'd like to help pass Measure A by filling out this form! 

In solidarity,

David Levitus
Executive Director
LA Forward

We're suing the City of LA for obstructing affordable housing on the Westside

Working to build more affordable housing – especially in affluent areas which have historically excluded working-class people –  has been one of the central priorities of LA Forward Institute for the last eight years. That’s why I am proud that our group is a lead plaintiff in a lawsuit against the City of LA for unlawfully obstructing the Venice Dell affordable housing project.

Venice Dell is a 100% affordable housing project set to be built on a City-owned parking lot. When built, it’ll provide 68 supportive apartments for individuals and families experiencing chronic homelessness and 68 affordable apartments for low-income households and artists, along with supportive service, ground floor commercial space, and a parking structure to replace the spaces in the existing lot. The project, which is being developed by two experienced affordable housing nonprofits (Venice Community Housing and Hollywood Community Housing Corporation) has been in the works since 2016 (!). It is part of the City’s plan to develop its land for affordable housing and the City itself specifically asked for developers to propose affordable housing on this site. The City and the nonprofit developers made a binding agreement in 2022 to build the housing, after 18 rounds of public meetings.

Unfortunately, progress on the remaining bureaucratic approvals has halted due to the efforts of City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto and District 11 Councilmember Traci Park. Both campaigned against the project when they ran for office in 2022. Now they're using their offices to tie up the Project in red tape outside public view and in violation of multiple laws, preventing the project from getting to the finish line. These delays are undermining the City’s own housing policies and contributing to the city’s homelessness and affordability crisis. 

The lawsuit was announced at a press conference at Venice Dell last month.

This issue is a personal one for me. I’ve lived on the Westside for nearly 20 years. The rent-controlled apartment where I reside with my wife and two little kids has been a lifeline in tough financial times. We’ve seen more and more of our neighbors forced out of the Westside and out of LA as whole. Many have become homeless as the housing market has entered an upward spiral. We’ve seen more and more senior citizens who are long-time residents of our neighborhoods become homeless, forced to spend their retirement struggling to survive on the streets despite their physically and medically vulnerable state. It is a moral outrage and it is unacceptable.

The housing crisis is real - and it's worsening by the day. More than half of Angeleno renters are rent-burdened, and 28% are severely rent-burdened, paying more than 50% of their income on rent and utilities. The price of the median detached single-family home in Los Angeles is nearly $1 million. That means to put 20% down, a family would have to have $200,000 saved, nearly triple the median income in Los Angeles. 

In particular the Westside needs and deserves affordable housing equally to any other part of the city and so far, we haven’t been getting it. As an organization, LA Forward Institute aims to make Los Angeles County into a fair, flourishing region where our public institutions ensure that all people can live in dignity and reach their fullest potential as human beings. But in order to achieve that mission we must build more housing for our unhoused and struggling neighbors, even in the face of wealthy, well-resourced opposition. We can do better and we must do better.

Donate to support our work to build more affordable housing and hold local government accountable

Our Lawsuit In the News

KTLA. Watch here to see LAFI Executive Director, David Levitus, speak at a press conference announcing the lawsuit. 

Los Angeles Times: “As a city, we could be creating far more affordable housing if only we weren’t being obstructed at every turn by people who don’t think their part of town needs to do their fair share,” said David Levitus, executive director of LA Forward Institute. Read more here.

Los Angeles Public Press: We didn’t want to file this lawsuit,” said David Levitus, executive director of LA Forward Institute. “There hasn’t been a good faith effort by the City. It’s been endless delay and obstruction.”  Read more Read more here. 

Thank you for your support!

In solidarity, 

David Levitus, Ph.D.
Founder & Executive Director
LA Forward Institute

Monthly Meetings Are Back + Housing Housing Housing!

We're doing more than ever before at LA Forward and it can be a little hard to keep up. So we're bringing back one of our old traditions -- the monthly meeting -- to help you catch up and find ways to get involved that work best for you. Join us Tuesday, August 13 for a quick Monthly Meeting on zoom where you’ll get the download on everything we’re doing, hear the latest LA County and City news, and learn about opportunities to plug in.

We also have a big series of educational events about how to effectively confront the housing and homelessness crises, the single biggest and most difficult problem facing LA County. This Monday, we'll discuss the impact of the Grants Pass Supreme Court decision on LA County, then a week later, holding a teach-in on a bold new way to house LA with Measure A, and offering session on Affordable Housing Development 101. And if you live in Long Beach, join our first-ever Long Beach Mixer on August 22!

August Monthly Meeting - August 13

There is so much work happening at LA Forward, it can be tough to keep track of all of it. Join us for a reboot of our monthly membership meetings, where you’ll get updates on what’s happening across LA Forward. Whether you’ve been part of our community for years, or you're a complete newcomer, this is the perfect way to get up speed on what we’ve been doing and get involved! RSVP here.

Grants Pass and Us: What Now? - August 12

Join LA Forward Institute and allies from Pasadena For All, Union Station Homeless Services, San Gabriel Valley Consortium on Homelessness, and others as we learn about the recent United States Supreme Court decision referred to asGrants Pass. We’ll also discuss Governor Gavin Newsom’s recent executive order which could allow for cities to criminalize poverty and homelessness. We’ll dive into the possible on-the-ground impact of these decisions. There will be time for regional discussions to include LA City, Pasadena, and other cities.RSVP here.

YES on Measure A! A Teach-in - August 20

A Bold New Way to house LA is on the ballot this November! Measure A aims to address the critical issues of housing affordability and homelessness by requiring more accountability for service providers, building more affordable housing, providing better and more mental health services, and more. Join LA Forward Institute to learn about Measure A and why we want a YES vote to get it passed in November. You’ll also learn language and tools to share about Measure A with your community. RSVP here.

Long Beach Mixer - August 22

Join us for LA Forward’s inaugural Long Beach Mixer! Connect with fellow Long Beach residents and allied local groups for a mid-week social event. This is your opportunity to network with like-minded neighbors ahead of the November election and strengthen progressive power in Long Beach. RSVP here.

Affordable Housing Development 101 - August 26

Everyone knows we need more affordable housing, but what does it take to actually develop it? Join members of LAFI's Housing Justice Action Team as they learn the basics about affordable housing development with Alan Greenlee, Executive Director of SCANPH (the Southern California Association of Non Profit Housing). Open to all who want to become smarter policy advocates for affordable housing. RSVP here. 

If you have any questions about these programs, please the reach out to our Deputy Director, Godfrey Plata, at godfrey@laforward.org. We look forward to seeing you soon! 
 

In solidarity,

David Levitus
Executive Director
LA Forward
 

Community Responses to County Governance Reform

Join us TONIGHT to hear from a panel of community organizations about the major governance reforms being proposed for LA County, which voters are likely to see on their November ballot! These changes include increasing the number of county supervisors, creating an elected County Executive position, and more. Earlier this month, we heard from the author of the proposal, Supervisor Lindsey Horvath. Featured groups include Common Cause, Social Justice Learning Institute, Catalyst California, California Black Power Network, and AAPI Equity Alliance. RSVP here so you don't miss it!

And check out upcoming events like our SFV Mixer on Tuesday night and the revival of our monthly meetings -- starting August 13 -- where you’ll get updates on all that’s happening across LA Forward. 

San Fernando Valley Mixer - July 30, 6-8pm

Want to meet other progressives in the San Fernando Valley? Join us at Idle Hour in North Hollywood for this fun summer happy hour where we’ll build community and a stronger SFV! RSVP here.

Community Meeting - August 13, 7-8pm

There is so much work happening at LA Forward, it can be hard to keep track of all of it! Join us for a reboot of our monthly membership meetings, where you’ll get updates on what’s happening at LA Forward. Whether you’ve been part of LA Forward for years, or you’ve never come to one of our events, this is the perfect way to get up-to-date on what we’ve been up to and get plugged-in! RSVP here. 

Let's Get Ready to Win in November!

This weekend’s news was a political earthquake and we’re still experiencing the aftershocks. No matter how you’re feeling, if you want to get on firmer ground, learn what the process looks like from here, and how you can get involved in defeating Trump aside from donating to the presidential campaign, we have a perfect event for you! Join us this Tuesday at 7-8pm PDT on Zoom!

Join LA Forward as we talk about what the rest of the presidential election looks like and how you can support effective grassroots groups turning out the vote in swing states with your time and your money, and much more. Because we know who wins the White House and Congress has a massive impact locally.

And we can’t stop there. There are dozens of important races and ballot measures up and down the ballot in our cities, county, and state and we’ll provide a roadmap for how you can be involved locally. 

We hope you join in as we process the news of this weekend, learn about what happens next with the presidential race, and hear about opportunities to take action as we head towards November. This is go time. Let’s get ready to win up and down the ballot! RSVP here. 

Huge Changes Proposed for LA County Government - learn more with us

There's a lot happening on the national political stage that can make it hard to keep up with what's happening locally. Don't worry, we have you covered! Last week, we all learned about a plan for the biggest governance reform package LA County has seen in over a century. This is huge news that could have major impacts for all Angelenos. Join us for a teach-in on Monday, July 15 to learn more.  LA County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath will join us and answer our questions. (That's not all, we also have teach-ins on social housing and the history of the housing injustice and the housing justice movement in LA, plus a San Fernando Valley mixer.)

County Supervisors Horvath and Hahn announced a proposal last week to make major changes to the County Governent, including increasing the number of County Supervisors from five to nine. Currently, there are 2 million people per district, which means each supervisor represents a population greater than many states. The proposal also would make County CEO an elected position, establish an independent ethics commission, creates a process for regular charter review, and much more.

While this isn't the first attempt to increase the number of supervisor seats, it is the first time a proposal is being pushed through at lightning speed. The first vote about placing it on the ballot was yesterday. There will be need two more votes the County Supervisors before August 9 -- likely on July 30 and August 6.

Join us on Monday, July 15 to learn more about the proposed ballot measure and how it would affect all of Los Angeles County. We'll be joined by Supervisor Horvath herself! RSVP here.

Heat equity, social housing, and the history of the housing justice movement in LA!

We're busy, hot, and fired up to kick off summer with a great lineup of July events. Join us for teach-ins on heat equity, social housing, and the history of the housing justice movement in LA. And don't miss our mixer in the San Fernando Valley! Keep on reading for more details. 

Heat Equity Is Survival - July 9 

It's getting hot in here -- and that's terrible news, especially if you're a tenant without access to AC or the funds to pay an expensive utility bill. This isn't just for comfort; it's for survival. In this teach-in, learn about heat equity and tenant support in the San Gabriel Valley, with SGV Casita! SGV Casita is a hub for housing organizers working to bring attention to extreme heat in housing issues.RSVP here.    

Social Housing 101 - July 11

With money becoming available from Measure ULA, social housing is no longer a pipe dream, but a reality that is right in front of us. So let's get educated together. New to social housing? Build some initial language and vision with us in this virtual teach-in, and plug into ways you can bring permanently affordable housing built on public land and intended for tenant ownership to your city and neighborhood. RSVP here.    

The Housing Justice Movement In LA City: A History - July 17

Who are the largest movers and shakers in housing justice work in LA? What challenges forced movement organizations to emerge, and what contributions have those groups made to the landscape of housing justice work in the city? Explore the history of housing justice work in the City of Angels, and implications for our work in housing justice today. RSVP here.   

San Fernando Valley Happy Hour - July 30

Meet other progressives in the San Fernando Valley! Join us on July 30th from 6-8pm for this fun summer happy hour intending to build community and a stronger SFV. RSVP here to get updates on the location.

We look forward to seeing you for engaging discussions, teach-ins, and opportunities to connect with like-minded Angelenos.

Council put Independent Redistricting on the ballot, but there’s so much more needed --> here’s our plan

In 2022, leaked audio tapes exposed LA City Councilmembers' racist meddling with city redistricting processes to maintain the corrupt status quo and undermine renter power. Since then, LA Forward Institute has been part of the OUR LA and Fair Rep LA coalitions and advocated fiercely for policies that prevent corruption and make our government more democratic, responsive, and effective. This advocacy is already bearing fruit. This fall, Angelenos will be able to vote for Independent Redistricting Commissions to take over the process of drawing district lines for the LA City Council and the LAUSD School Board.

LA Forward Institute with OUR LA coalition partners at LA's first hearing on Council expansion in April 2023

We helped convince City Council to ensure that the independent redistricting will:

• Provide translation of materials and interpretation at public meetings, hearings, and workshops

• Enable non-citizens to serve as Redistricting Commissioners

• Give compensation to Redistricting Commissioners to make it possible for low-income Angelenos to serve.    

 BUT WE CAN'T STOP HERE -- HERE'S WHY AND OUR PLAN TO KEEP GOING

Unfortunately, LA City Council failed to take decisive action on expanding the size of council and making districts smaller, which is a top priority of LAFI and OUR LA. LA City has the largest council districts in the country -- 265,000 residents per each of the 15 districts. In contrast, the nation's two other largest cities -- New York City and Chicago have 51 and 50 council districts. The average number of residents per district in the country's largest cities is approximately 150,000 -- way lower than LA's. We're continuing the work to transform LA's antiquated system and make our government more representative and accessible. Watch this video, featuring our Deputy Director Godfrey Plata, sharing more about the problem and how we can guarantee that council expansion comes to the LA City ballot by 2026!

LA City Council has recently approved the formation of a Charter Commission that could entertain expansion of council as part of its work. However, members of the commission will largely be politically-appointed and its recommendations will have to be approved by City Council before they go to the ballot. 

That's why LAFI is preparing to be at table inside City Hall AND building an outside campaign to put Council Expansion and Charter Reform on the ballot ourselves, without waiting for City Council to act. If you've got questions or want to get involved hands-on, please email Godfrey directly at godfrey@laforward.org.

And if you have financial resources to support this work, we'd be grateful for your donations at https://www.laforward.institute/donate. We have options for giving online, via check, and through foundations and Donor Advised Funds. It's going to take a million dollars just to lay the groundwork for this transformative change, and every bit helps.

LA Forward in the News + Sunday 6/23 Assembly

We've been busy! And we've gotten a ton of press coverage for our work over the last six months. We played an important role in progressive wins in the March primary, weighed in on transportation projects, and advocated at City Hall to increase funding for effective, care-based responses to people experiencing mental health crises instead of sending armed police who only make the situation worse. Just this week, our Deputy Director, Godfrey Plata, was quoted in the LA Times with our take on the new LA City Charter Commission and the delay of LA city council expansion. 

Don't forget to RSVP for our Member Assembly this Sunday, 6/23. And if you want to learn how to run and win electoral campaigns, apply for LAFI's Campaign Leadership Academy by Sunday, 6/23!

Scoring a Big Win Against the Corporate Landlord & Police Lobbies

The CD4 race was fiercely contested with record-breaking special interest spending against incumbent Nithya Raman. David Levitus, our Executive Director, was quoted several times by LAist and LA Public Press, providing analysis of the primary and LA Forward's critical role in helping Nithya Raman get reelected.

And listen to this episode of Airtalk, in which LA Forward's independent expenditure work to defeat Raman's challenger is described as "a maturing of the progressive movement in Los Angeles."

Advocating for the Best Transit Option from the Valley to the Westside

Disputes over surrounding public transit plans for the Sepulveda Pass are heating up, as Bel Air homeowners fight attempts to build a subway that would go under their neighborhood and insist on a monorail along the 405 that would be slower and with less conveniently located stations. In this LA Public Press article, David weighed in:    

Speaking Out Against LA City Council's Procrastination On Key Reforms

The effort to expand the number of LA City Council seats was at a standstill in May. David expressed his disappointment over the stalling of the Los Angeles City Council expansion proposal in this LAist piece. 

Then on Tuesday of this week, the council voted to create a 13-member citizens commission to look into the possibility of expanding the number of council seats. This commission will consider changes to the city charter for the November 2026 ballot. Godfrey shared his thoughts on this development in the LA Times:  

We are going to keep up the fight for a more democratic, diverse, and effective City Council. Stay tuned!

Fighting to Fund Effective, Care-Based Crisis Response

On May 18th, we organized a press conference in front of LA City Hall to call on Councilmembers to allocate an additional $4.5 million in the budget for unarmed crisis response. We were joined by the Represent LA Coalition, Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez and others. ABC7 covered the story, watch and read here. 

Thank you to our incredible volunteers who have been working on unarmed crisis response advocacy for over a year. One of our star volunteers, Jason Enright, shares his personal story in Los Angeles Daily News: 

Check out LAist for more coverage of the press conference, and consider joining the Unarmed Crisis Response Working Group meeting on Monday evening to tap into this work!

Become a campaign leader & check out our June events!

We're fighting June gloom with LAFI's new campaign leadership academy and our first-ever assembly for our dues-paying members! Read and RSVP below.

Thank you to our amazing supporters for joining us at our Spring into Action garden party, which raised more than $60,000 to power our work this election year and beyond! Check out our photo album from the event, as well as our digital program. If you weren't able to attend but want to support our work, we're grateful for your contributions here.

Apply to LA Forward Institute's Campaign Leadership Academy by June 23

Do you want to learn how to run and win grassroots campaigns? LA Forward Institute's nonpartisan Campaign Leadership Academy (CLA) will recruit and train LA County residents to be effective campaign leaders and candidates, positioning participants with the knowledge, skills, and vision to lead campaigns and win this year and beyond.

Read more about this summer program (held on three Saturdays: July 20, August 3, and August 17), and apply HERE by Sunday, June 23, 2024.

Our First-ever Dues Paying Member Assembly: Sunday, June 23

LA Forward's organizing work is driven by its members: that's why we're advocating for unarmed crisis response systems, pushing for funding for a climate action plan for LA City, and fighting for affordable housing to be built everywhere, including historically exclusionary neighborhoods.

On Sunday, June 23, we're bringing together ALL of our dues-paying members for the first time to say, "Thank you for investing in and leading our work! Let’s bring you behind the scenes so you can help us determine where we go next as a community." Expect relationship-building, "lifting the curtain" on some of our organizing strategy, and brainstorming to build a fairer and more flourishing LA County over the next few years. RSVP here.

(If you're not yet a member, you can become one by signing up for a monthly donation of any amount at laforward.org/member, qualifying you to attend this gathering!)

Learn about A Bold New Way to House LA and much more on Saturday!

We're gearing up for a busy summer of making change together and we hope you can be part of our community. Join us in person this Saturday to learn about key housing justice efforts, including a super important ballot measure, A Bold New Way to House LA, check out the debrief of our campaign to build out LA City's unarmed crisis response system on Monday, and be part of our 1st ever Dues-Paying Member Assembly on June 23. Keep reading for details!

MONTHLY HOUSING JUSTICE MEETING SPOTLIGHTING NEW COUNTY MEASURE + KEY STATE HOUSING POLICIES

You're invited to our second in-person monthly assembly to bring residents across LA together around the number one issue in LA: housing. Plug into the latest housing justice issues and actions across local housing justice coalitions, and figure out how you want to get involved. This month, we'll be getting more comfortable talking about "landmark" state legislation that limits our housing realities: Costa-Hawkins, Ellis Act, and Prop 13. We'll also be hearing about a new countywide ballot-measure, A Bold New Way to House LA.

Join us in person this Saturday, June 1, 10am - 2pm. RSVP here to help us with planning and to make sure we have enough lunch for everyone!

FUNDING UNARMED CRISIS RESPONSE SERVICES: WHAT HAPPENED? WHAT'S NEXT? - Monday, June 3, 7 - 8pm

Over the last few months, we built toward a campaign to influence unarmed crisis response funding in the 2024-2025 LA City budget. We sought $2.5 million to centralize dispatch of unarmed crisis response services and an additional $2 million to evaluate existing unarmed crisis response services. On this Zoom, we'll recap what we did, what happened as a result of our advocacy, and what's next for our organizing work around unarmed crisis response at LA Forward. RSVP here.

OUR FIRST-EVER DUES-PAYING MEMBER ASSEMBLY - Sunday, June 23

LA Forward's organizing work is driven by our members. It's why we're advocating for unarmed crisis response systems, pushing for funding for a climate action and adaptation plan for LA City, and fighting for social and affordable housing to be built everywhere, including historically exclusionary neighborhoods.

On Sunday, June 23, we're bringing together ALL of our dues-paying members for the first time to say, "Hey! You're literally investing in our work. Let's bring you behind the scenes so you can be partners and leaders helping us determine where we go next as a powerful organization of community members in LA County." Expect relationship-building, "lifting the curtain" on some of our organizing strategy, and some visioning for work that can transform Southern California.  RSVP here.

If you’re not yet a member, you can become one by signing up for a monthlydonation of any amount at laforward.org/member, qualifying you to attend this gathering!

Urge your rep to fund unarmed crisis response services, before it's too late

It’s our last chance to influence the LA City's 2024-2025! City Council is making one last set of revisions this week – and we need them to step up and fund community safety initiatives like unarmed crisis response. Despite a year of working with council offices, we’re not certain that council will include $4.5 million for unarmed crisis response – less than 0.1% of the budget. It's critical that YOU take action to make sure council does the right thing, by taking 1 minute right now to send a message and by showing up at LA City Hall on Wednesday morning!

SEND AN MESSAGE TO YOUR COUNCILMEMBER BEFORE THURSDAY, 5/23 at 9 AM

Head to our Unarmed Crisis Response advocacy page at here to send a one-click email to your councilmember. (If you did this earlier this month, we need you to do this again! We’ve modified our ask to fit the most up-to-date budget context.)

When you’re done, use our toolkit here to take action via social media, phone, and official written comment.
 

TAKE ACTION IN-PERSON - WEDNESDAY, 5/22

Join us on Wednesday at LA City Hall:

1. Attend LA Forward’s rally and press conference at 8:30am. In solidarity with Represent LA, a local immigrant rights coalition, we’re calling for council members to step up and fund community safety initiatives that make up less than 0.1% of the current budget.

2. Then stay for public comment. City Council will meet at 10am, and whether it’s your first time or you’re a regular we need you to elevate the need to fund unarmed crisis response services in LA by giving public comment. Use our toolkit here for some sample language, and let me, Godfrey Plata (LA Forward's Deputy Director) know if we should expect you at the council meeting by emailing godfrey@laforward.org.

If you’d like to join our ongoing work around unarmed crisis response, LA Forward’s Unarmed Crisis Response working group meets every Monday at 7pm, on Zoom. Email me at godfrey@laforward.org to be added to that meeting invite.

LA Budget 101 with the Councilmembers & advocating for unarmed crisis response

It’s budget time for LA City! Every spring, the Mayor is required to share a draft of the upcoming year’s City budget – and advocates have the opportunity to push for changes before the final budget is adopted by City Council. The draft budget has been released – and now it’s time for us to make our voices heard in the budget process.

Join us Wednesday night for LA City Budget 101 where we’ll learn about how the budget process works from former Councilmember Mike Bonin. We’ll also launch ways you can support funding unarmed models of crisis response (alternatives to policing) in this year’s budget.

RSVP now to join us 4/24 at 7:30 p.m. on Zoom.

LA Forward Institute’s first LA City Housing Justice Monthly Assembly

Based on interest from community members, LA Forward Institute is launching a monthly gatheringto bring Angelenos together around the number one issue in LA: housing. The first meeting will be held Saturday, May 4! With these meetings, you’ll learn about housing justice policies and advocacy efforts, build community with other residents who are passionate about affordable housing, and get plugged into local housing justice coalitions. Sign up now to join in-person on May 4 from 10 am to 2 pm. Lunch provided!    

We’re bringing our supporters together on May 18 to raise money to support LA Forward’s work this election year – and we’re honoring long-time collaborators in our work to transform Los Angeles into a fair, flourishing place for everyone. Join us for a spring garden party to celebrate these accomplishments and continue to build people power.Purchase a ticket, reserve space in the award journal or or become sponsor by April 30! 

Join us for SGV election debriefs over the next two weeks!

The primary election results are in – and now it’s time to talk about how these results impact communities in the San Gabriel Valley and what work we have ahead of us in the November election.

We’re hosting a series of election debrief gatherings across the SGV and we’d love to see you there! These are great opportunities to meet other community members and learn more about critical issues in the SGV and the candidates running to represent us.

We’ll be in Claremont this coming Thursday 4/25 at 6:30 p.m. RSVP to join us now to talk about the election results with community members from Claremont and the surrounding cities.

Then we’re bringing the party to Covina on 4/28. RSVP now to join us at 2 p.m. on Sunday to talk about local election results in Covina and the SGV.

Our Pasadena election debrief will be Tuesday, 4/30 kicking off at 6:30 p.m. Join us to learn together about the March results and what’s ahead for November in Pasadena and San Gabriel Valley communities.

Last but not least, we’ll be in Pomona on 5/2 at 6:30 p.m.! Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with residents from Pomona and other passionate SGV leaders. Sign up now!

Community Leadership for Affordable Housing

This is your last chance to sign up for the cohort that begins on Saturday, April 27! For the second year in a row, LA Forward Institute is launching a six-month leadership development fellowship to support San Gabriel Valley community members to become stronger advocates for affordable housing and housing justice. Members of this unique cohort will come together for in-person learning/site visits one Saturday each month to build knowledge, skills, and networks that will help them ensure that their communities have sufficient affordable housing for current and future generations. Apply now!

Unarmed crisis response advocacy, trivia night, affordable housing academy & more!

We have a packed week of events — Unarmed Crisis Response Budget Advocacy Teach-In on Monday, Post-Election Trivia Night with WFP on Tuesday, and a Sawtelle/West LA Community Convening on Wednesday. Keep reading for details on those, plus opportunities to apply LA Forward Institute's Community Leadership for Affordable Housing Academy.

Votes are still being counted from Tuesday's election but many of our endorsed candidates look to have won a spot in November general election. Congrats to Councilwoman Nithya Raman, Jillian Burgos, and Ysabel Jurado in LA City Council districts 4, 2, 14, plus LA County District Attorney George Gacon and LA County judicial candidates Ericka Wiley, George Turner, and La Shae Henderson! 

📅 Upcoming events 📅

Unarmed Crisis Response Budget Advocacy Teach-In: Join us Monday, March 11 for a virtual teach-in with members of LA Forward's Unarmed Crisis Response Working Group who have been meeting weekly, coordinating with government offices, and learning how to advocate for expanded funding and resources for unarmed response in the city of LA. We'll be on Zoom Monday night from 7-8 PM. Register now.

Post-Election Trivia Night with WFP: We're co-hosting a Post Election Trivia Night with our friends at CA Working Families Party! Don't miss this fun community event Tuesday, March 12 at 6 PM in Glendale. We'll get to know each other, compete for some fun prizes, and reflect on lessons learned during the March primary. Join us.

Sawtelle/West LA Community Convening: Do you live in the Sawtelle/West LA neighborhood? If you live north of I-10 but west of I-405, this virtual LA Forward Institute community gathering is for you. Join your fellow residents on Zoom on Wednesday, March 13 from 7-8 PM to build community, talk about what future elections could mean for you, and how to build power together. RSVP now.

Community Leadership for Affordable Housing Academy: LA Forward Institute is launching a six-month leadership development cohort to support San Gabriel Valley community members to become stronger advocates for affordable housing and housing justice. Participants will come together one Saturday each month to build knowledge, skills, and networks to ensure their communities have affordable housing. Applications are due April 12. Please share and apply!

Last min election resources - cram session @ 6:30, TONIGHT voter guides, and interviews with candidates!

Early turnout for tomorrow's is running super low and so your vote matters even more than usual! Confused by the ballot? Check out our voter guide and come to our "cram session" at 6:30pm TONIGHT. We’re here to help walk you through it and understand your options. Bring your ballot and join LA Forward staff on Zoom for any last minute questions or resources you need! RSVP here.

Want to get other perspectives? We love LAist's Guide to Voter Guides, which links to LA Forward's guide PLUS others.

Want to go deeper? Check out former LA Councilmember Mike Bonin's podcast What's Next, Los Angeles! Over the last few months, he's conducted accessible, in depth interviews with a ton of City Council candidates. He's also hosted episodes the anti-LGBTQ attempted takeover of the Glendale School Board, on the power of the District Attorney, and an overview of the different City Council races. Plus re-airings of interviews of candidates running for Congress in Adam Schiff's current seat, including Laura Friedman, Mike Feuer, Nick Melvoin, Sepi Shyne, and Maebe A. Girl. It's the kind of deep coverage we need far more of. Thank you Mike!

For another overview of some local races and general commentary on local happenings, check out the most recent episode of the LA Podcast, which includes a special appearance by LA Forward Deputy Director, Godfrey Plata.

In recent episodes, Mike has interviewed many of the candidates running for LA City Council:

• Jillian Burgos for LA City Council District 2

• Sam Kbushyan for LA City Council District 2

• LA City Councilmember Nithya Raman for District 4

• Eddie Anderson for LA City Council District 10

• Heather Hutt for LA City Council District 10

• Reggie Jones-Sawyer for LA City Council District 10

• Aura Vasquez for LA City Council District 10

• Serena Oberstein for LA City Council District 12

• Ysabel Jurado for LA City Council District 14

• Lalo Vargas for LA City Council District 14

📓 Ballot Cram Session 📓

💻  TONIGHT, Monday, March 4th, we're hosting a last-minute ballot cram session on Zoom from 6:30-7:30 pm. If you need any help navigating some of the choices on your ballot, join our team and community members to share resources and help each other vote. RSVP here.    

🗳️ Voter guide 🗳️

Check out LA Forward's online voter guide to read more about the local candidates and ballot measures we've endorsed. Share this guide with your friends and family.

🗳️ Election countdown: 27 hours left to vote

Vote Centers are open every day until the election — or you can drop off your mail-in ballot at any Drop Box. Find locations and vote now.