At teh March 17, 2025 meeting, the City Council introduced an ordinance establishing a Tenant Right to Counsel pilot program for Culver City rental tenants with an income at or below 80% of the area median income. Mayor Dan O’Brien, Vice Mayor Freddy Puza, and Council Members Yasmine-Imani McMorrin and Bubba Fish voted in favor. Council Member Albert Vera, Jr. voted against.
The Tenant Right to Counsel Program would provide income-qualified Culver City tenants with an attorney during eviction proceedings. If the ordinance is adopted by the City Council at the April 14th City Council meeting, the Tenant Right to Counsel Program would take effect in May and run for one year.
During that year, staff would study the effectiveness of the Program and will report back to the City Council if the costs exceed the amount already allocated to the contract with Bet Tzedek.
Culver City resident Zoenda Parks spoke to the meeting, offering from the podium that she had legal issues with a landlord who, when she asked for repairs to the property, responded with communications saying she should move out. “As a newly single mom, with a child in school, it was intimidation I did not know how to deal with. I’m so grateful that Bet Tzedek was there to support me with legal advice; it was a very difficult situation.”
The City currently contracts with Bet Tzedek to provide free legal services to Culver City tenants. Bet Tzedek is a private, non-profit organization offering a variety of legal services in LA County-and specifically provides free legal services, including and up to full representation, to Culver City residents. Bet Tzedek provides weekly virtual clinics for Culver City tenants.
If you are a Culver City tenant in need of legal assistance related to your rental housing, email [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (323) 549-5891.