In an effort to assist renters impacted by January’s wildfires, a Los Angeles commission Thursday will consider advancing a new, temporary disaster rental assistance program.

The United to House L.A. Citizen Oversight Committee is scheduled to meet Thursday afternoon at the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. On the agenda, the 15-member panel will discuss the eligibility criteria for the ULA Disaster Relief Interim Income Support Program.

In November 2022, Los Angeles voters approved Measure ULA, a tax on property sales exceeding $5 million aimed at funding affordable housing and homelessness prevention initiatives. It also mandated the creation of a COC tasked with overseeing compliance and monitoring the measure’s eligible uses.

As of August, the measure has generated roughly $830 million, funding initiatives such as short-term emergency assistance, income support for rent-burdened at-risk seniors and people with disabilities, eviction defense and prevention, tenant outreach and education, and protections from tenant harassment.

Dollars have also been used to support housing development, acquisition and rehabilitation of existing units, and homeownership opportunities, among other things.

The COC established an $11 million Interim Income Support Program, of which $1.2 million is used for administrative costs. Approximately 494 households received $20K in aid through the program for a total of $9.8 million, according to a report from the commission.

Following the wildfires, Los Angeles City Councilwoman Traci Park, who represents Pacific Palisades, introduced a motion with the intent of tapping Measure ULA funds for a $15 million disaster rental assistance program.

“The City Council may approve or deny a temporary allocation recommendation from the COC, or even reallocate funding from one category to another one that is not in the COC recommendations, but only after the COC makes initial recommendations,” according to a report from the City Attorney’s Office.

Long-term changes can be considered starting July 1, 2033, and every tenth year thereafter.

With that in mind, the COC is expected to review eligibility criteria for a temporary disaster relief program. If the criteria is approved, the program is expected to be considered by the City Council in October with implementation anticipated by November.