LA Briefs: Mayor Announces Deputy Director of Korean Language Communications, City Secures Funding Partnership for Housing and Hahn’s “No” Vote on Delay of Conservatorship Modernization Law

Mayors Communications Office Adds Deputy Director of Korean Language Communications

LOS ANGELES — The communications office of Mayor Karen Bass Jan 3 announced the addition of Jieun Kim to serve as the deputy director of Korean language communications. 

Jieun Kim served as a Field Deputy for the 12th Los Angeles City Council district. In addition to assisting stakeholders with navigating and resolving city-related issues, she also served as a point of contact and resource for the Asian American and Pacific Islander community citywide and local Korean-language outlets. As a constituent advocate, Kim worked with government agencies, local non-profit organizations, small businesses and neighborhood groups. She also managed outreach programs on issues related to immigration. Originally from Korea, Kim moved to the United States in 2010 and worked in journalism contributing to local and international Korean media outlets.

Los Angeles Secures Private Funding Partnership for Permanent Supportive Housing

LOS ANGELES — The City of Los Angeles will conduct a review and establish a reinvestment plan of existing affordable housing units that have received city funding but may be at risk of falling into disrepair. This effort is funded by a $500,000 grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation to the California Housing Partnership Corporation or CHPC, secured by the Los Angeles Housing Department and the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Homelessness Solutions. 

This assessment is part of Mayor Bass’ citywide housing strategy to preserve and expand the city’s existing affordable and permanent supportive housing stock. Specifically, this review will enable the city to develop a reinvestment strategy. 

The California Housing Partnership Corporation, a nonprofit organization, will execute the grant in partnership with the Housing Department, local nonprofit affordable housing developers, including faith-based developers and community-developers. The assessment and recommended reinvestment plans are underway with an anticipated completion of December 2024. 

Supervisor Hahn Votes Against Two-Year Delay of Conservatorship Modernization Law

LOS ANGELES  — Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn Dec. 20 was the lone “No” vote on a motion that will delay the implementation of recently passed Senate Bill 43 in Los Angeles County two years until 2026.  SB 43 is touted as a modernization of the state’s conservatorship laws which have not been updated in fifty years. 

In voting no, Hahn issued the following statement: 

“I just voted no on the two-year delay of the implementation of SB 43 which would improve conservatorship law so we can care for more people with severe addiction and mental health issues.

The status quo is unacceptable. We have a drug addiction and mental health crisis on our streets. There are people who need help and treatment and won’t survive two more years. I want to see a sense of urgency from our County departments. I think we can get this done sooner and I want to see us try.”