Currently holds the office of Los Angeles City Council - District 14 until December 31, 2028.
Candidate for Los Angeles City Council - District 14 in 2024 California General Election.
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Get Started41.18 and the violent sweeps of homeless encampments are inhumane, counterproductive, and exacerbate the challenges faced by our unhoused neighbors, pushing them further into the margins of society, re-traumatizing an already highly traumatized community, and often resulting in the loss of critical documents and medications, like IDs, passports, and even medication. Ysabel will actively fight to end these sweeps and replace them with compassionate alternatives, such as Community Resource Hubs, with access to sanitation, healthcare, and social services. Learn more
Our city faces unprecedented environmental challenges, from rising temperatures and increasing wildfires to air pollution and water scarcity. Frontline, low-income communities of color pay the price first and worst. Just look at our very own Boyle Heights, a historically Latino community known as a ''toxic hot spot'' facing disproportionately high rates of child hospitalization for asthma, due to the unfettered freeway expansion in our district. Enough is enough – it’s time for bold action. That’s why Ysabel is ready to lead the way for a greener, more resilient Los Angeles that leaves no Angeleno behind. Learn more
Neglected, substandard housing conditions disproportionately affect marginalized communities, especially undocumented Angelenos who are too afraid to speak up for fear of deportation. Ysabel will work to enhance code enforcement efforts, ensuring that landlords are held accountable for maintaining safe and habitable living conditions. This involves increasing the number of inspectors, establishing a responsive complaint system, and implementing stricter penalties for violators. Learn more
Ysabel will collaborate with tenant advocacy groups to establish a comprehensive Tenant Bill of Rights that outlines the rights and responsibilities of both tenants and landlords. This will empower tenants with information about their rights and avenues for seeking redress in case of disputes. All tenants across Los Angeles have a right to affordable, secure, and habitable housing free from harassment and discrimination. Learn more
Ysabel is committed to fighting to ensure that LA Homeless Service Authority (LAHSA) workers are paid a living wage. It's unacceptable that those who dedicate their lives to assisting the unhoused struggle to afford housing themselves. By ensuring fair compensation, we can attract and retain dedicated professionals who can provide effective support to unhoused individuals. Learn more
Longtime residents of CD-14 have experienced a tidal wave of gentrification and displacement. Too many of us can no longer afford to live in the neighborhoods and homes that raised us. It’s time to make affordable housing a reality in Los Angeles. Learn more
When big pieces of land are empty, or houses are vacant, it only makes our housing crisis worse and drives up the cost of rent. Ysabel supports a vacancy tax that would encourage property owners to rent or sell their properties, increasing the housing supply and reducing rental costs. She would also charge property flippers speculation fees, in order to stop corporate landlords from turning a profit at the expense of everyday working people. That speculation fee would be reinvested into public services and affordable housing initiatives. Learn more
It’s time to expand public housing in Los Angeles. By investing in social housing projects managed by the community, we can ensure long-term affordability and prevent displacement. Learn more
Empowering tenants to collectively own and manage their housing through cooperative models not only fosters a sense of community but also challenges the dominance of profit-driven landlords. Through Ysabel’s work, she has helped to establish and provide legal assistance to support the existence of housing cooperatives in LA, and will expand these efforts once elected. Learn more
Ysabel's housing policy emphasizes property affordability covenants as a vital tool to maintain housing affordability. By addressing zoning regulations, we'll encourage the cohabitation of multiple families within suitable housing structures. This involves exploring zoning adjustments to accommodate multifamily living arrangements, ensuring that space and housing structures can support and legally house multiple families, easing the strain on individual housing units. Learn more
Ysabel advocates for the creation of a housing bank akin to California's IBANK, aiming to provide accessible low-interest loans and comprehensive support for the development of affordable housing projects across Los Angeles. This initiative seeks to bolster the financial resources available for affordable housing development, making it more feasible and sustainable. Learn more
Ysabel's plan involves working toward the facilitation of the Community Opportunity to Purchase Act (COPA) and Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA). These resources empower residents to take control of their housing situations and actively shape the future of their communities. By ensuring access to these resources, residents gain the opportunity to have a substantial say in the management and development of their living spaces. Learn more
Extending the expiration date of affordable housing covenants beyond the conventional 55 years is a key aim. Ysabel proposes the creation of financial mechanisms and instruments to guarantee perpetual affordability. This strategy involves innovative financial tools to secure housing affordability for the long term, safeguarding communities against the risk of gentrification and displacement. Learn more
Ysabel’s commitment to fare-free transit is a commitment to the working-class Angelenos who form the backbone of District 14. Currently, fares represent a mere 1.7% of the transportation budget, while almost 75% is expended in administering the fare collection program. By eliminating these fees, we can direct resources toward improving the quality and accessibility of public transportation, ultimately benefiting the very people who need it most—working-class Angelenos. Learn more
More affordable housing is the only solution to homelessness. We need to make major investments in L.A.’s affordable housing stock, and support initiatives that provide immediate, unconditional housing to homeless people. Investing in affordable housing will also reduce the strain on emergency services, healthcare, and the criminal justice system. Learn more
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