LOS ANGELES — Even on rainy days, a Valley Village neighborhood holds a special place in Jesse Randall’s heart.
Randall moved to Los Angeles in 2016 to advance his career in the film acquisition industry. But he said his time in Tinseltown has been far from the glamour on the silver screen, especially when it comes to his housing situation.
“Thought it would be everything I’m finally looking for and it has been the absolute worst living situation I’ve ever been in,” Randall said.
Randall lives in a rent-controlled apartment. And just in the last few years, he’s had to go to court twice to fight off eviction notices over non-payment of rent, that he proved he paid. He said that at this point, he just wants to move, but he can’t afford to.
“I’ve even looked at apartments further out in the Valley,” he said. “They’re still insanely expensive.”
That’s why rain or shine, Randall said he is voting in this year’s primary race, to make sure his voice is heard on the issue of affordable housing.
The race most important to him is in the 2nd District, where he lives. The district includes neighborhoods such as North Hollywood, Valley Village, Valley Glen and parts of Studio City, Sun Valley and Van Nuys.
It’s where seven candidates are hoping to replace Council President Paul Krekorian, who has already served his three terms in office.
All seven candidates say housing and homelessness is a top priority, and each is in favor of building more affordable housing, if elected. But each has a different approach.
Krekorian said whoever wins the seat needs to build on the progress that’s already been made in the district.
“For example, the district NoHo project alone is a transit-oriented community that will be built right on top of the NoHo red line station,” he said. “That project alone will increase the affordable housing units in north Hollywood by 40%.”
According to CalMatters, the city’s planning department has received plans for more than 13,770 affordable units just in the last year — more than the previous three years, combined.
Krekorian said the next council member to represent the 2nd District needs to build on that momentum.
“Whoever wins needs to continue to be committed to ensuring that we increase our housing stock, particularly housing affordability, and make it easier to build in Los Angeles, not harder,” Krekorian said.
For Randall, the issue goes even deeper. He hopes the next council member that represents him will expand on renter protections, too. He said he wants a council member who shares this belief.
“Everybody deserves housing, regardless of their income bracket,” he said. “Housing is a human right, and that’s non-negotiable.”