Demanding Housing Justice in Los Angeles

June 9, 2026, Written by Jonmathew C., 2025 STF alumnus from Animo Venice Charter HS:

Current and former STFers from Animo Venice, Harvard Westlake and Hamilton high schools met with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass' West LA Area Representative, Jennifer Hull, to deliver 295 petition signatures demanding an end to the criminalization of unhoused people in Los Angeles.

STFers urged the Mayor's office to oppose any expansion of LA Municipal Code 41.18, a city ordinance that bans sitting, lying, or sleeping in designated public areas and has been used to sweep encampments without connecting people to permanent housing, and to push back against California Governor Newsom's pressure on cities to pass new anti-camping ordinances. STFers also called on Mayor Bass to support the Venice Dell Project, a 140-unit affordable housing development on city-owned land in Venice that faces opposition from local neighbors and District 11 Councilmember Traci Park.

Ms. Hull acknowledged that Mayor Bass could apply pressure to Councilmember Park on the Venice Dell Project, but recommended that STF meet with Councilmember Park to show that constituents in her district support this project, so she does not only hear from those who are against it.

"Ms. Hull seemed open and understanding of the points we brought up. She said she would forward our suggestions to Mayor Bass and get back to us about who else we could speak to and how we could better advocate for this issue. This was my first time doing something like this and I am very grateful for the opportunity. I gained valuable experience and learned a lot about how to approach these kinds of meetings going forward," shared Jade P. from Hamilton HS.

STFers and alumni in Los Angeles will continue their advocacy and outreach to city leadership demanding an end to the criminalization of homelessness and pushing for permanent housing solutions in Los Angeles.