The City of West Hollywood applauds California Governor Gavin Newsom for signing into law Assembly Bill 1620. The City of West Hollywood and City of Santa Monica were lead sponsors of AB 1620, which was introduced by Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur.
AB 1620 authorizes local jurisdictions to require that tenants in rent-controlled units and who have permanent physical disabilities related to mobility be allowed to relocate to an available, accessible unit at the same rental rate and terms. The bill only applies to properties with five or more rental units. AB 1620 increases housing security for tenants with permanent disabilities related to mobility, who are more vulnerable and at higher risk of homelessness. AB 1620 will take effect on January 1, 2024.
“We, at the City of West Hollywood, are grateful to Governor Gavin Newsom for signing our City-sponsored bill, AB 1620 into law and to Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur for introducing the bill,” said City of West Hollywood Mayor Sepi Shyne. “AB 1620 will allow permanently disabled tenants to relocate from an upper floor unit of a building where no elevator is available to a ground floor unit if a similar or comparable size unit is available. This unprecedented revision of the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act is a huge achievement that will bring relief to some of our most vulnerable residents. West Hollywood’s incorporation was led by a coalition of tenants, LGBTQ+ people, disabled individuals, and seniors, and AB 1620 aligns perfectly with the City’s core values and the spirit that drove the incorporation.”
The City of West Hollywood’s Rent Stabilization Division is dedicated to programs that promote the quality of residential life — a core value of the City of West Hollywood. The City provides a breadth of information and services to tenants, owners, and property managers of residential rental properties, which includes information services and written materials. For additional information, please visit www.weho.org/rsd.
For more information about the City of West Hollywood’s efforts regarding AB 1620, please contact Hernán Molina, the City of West Hollywood’s Governmental Affairs Liaison, at (323) 848-6364 or hmolina@weho.org. For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing, please call TTY (323) 848-6496.
For up-to-date information about City of West Hollywood news and events, follow @wehocity on social media, sign-up for news updates at www.weho.org/email, and visit the City’s calendar of meetings and events at www.weho.org/calendar. West Hollywood City Hall is open for walk-in services at public counters or by appointment by visiting www.weho.org/appointments. City Hall services are accessible by phone at (323) 848-6400 and via website at www.weho.org. Receive text updates by texting “WeHo” to (323) 848-5000.
For reporters and members of the media seeking additional information about the City of West Hollywood, please contact the City of West Hollywood’s Public Information Officer, Sheri A. Lunn, at (323) 848-6391 or slunn@weho.org.