Public Hearings & Protest Rights

Update: 7/30/2025

• On July 8, 2025, Newsom and the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) released $101 million in funding specifically for affordable multifamily rental housing in Los Angeles County, prioritizing projects near fire‑hit areas like Altadena, the Palisades, and Malibu AOL+11Governor of California+11California Housing Department+11.

• This funding is distributed through a special “MFSN‑LA Disaster” NOFA and goes independently of SB 549. It was carved out from long‑standing housing funding and is fully active, with application materials available July 21, and deadlines in August 2025 for shovel‑ready developments Governor of California+1California Housing Department+1.

• Newsom’s announcement emphasized that the funds aim to accelerate affordable housing development without changing zoning or local control rules

California Senate bill that could have brought more affordable housing to the wealthy, star-studded enclave of Pacific Palisades, CA, which was decimated by the January wildfires, has been shelved until next year after a wave of community opposition.

Introduced in late February and amended in June, Senate Bill 549 would allow Los Angeles County to establish a “Resilient Rebuilding Authority” to coordinate and streamline recovery efforts in areas affected by the devastating Palisades and Eaton fires—but also to use taxes to purchase burned lots and build affordable housing on a portion of them.

Some of the new homes would be reserved for households with incomes of 30% to 60% of the area median income, while others would be set aside for families earning below 30% of the median.

Original post below:

Public Hearings & Protest Rights: What You Need to Know About SB 549 and the Resilient Rebuilding Authority. SB 549, amended and signed into law in June 2025, authorizes Los Angeles County to establish a Resilient Rebuilding Authority (RRA) to manage rebuilding in fire-damaged communities. However, the law does not automatically create this authority. Instead, it sets in motion a multi-step public process, and your voice matters in that process.

🔔 Step 1: Notice of Public Hearings

Before the County can move forward with creating the RRA, they must:

• Publish a legal notice in a widely circulated local newspaper once a week for four consecutive weeks.
• The first notice must appear at least 30 days before the first public hearing.

This is your earliest opportunity to get informed and prepare to participate.

🗓️ Step 2: Three Required Public Hearings

The County Board of Supervisors must hold three public hearings, each at least 30 days apart, to:

• Present the proposed Infrastructure Financing Plan;
• Explain how the RRA would be funded (primarily through property taxes and state/federal grants);
• Take public comments on the impact to local neighborhoods and property owners.

These hearings are your opportunity to voice concerns, ask questions, and submit written or in-person testimony.

📝 Step 3: The Protest Process

After the final hearing, property owners and residents have the legal right to protest the formation of the RRA. Here’s how it works:

Property owners and residents within the proposed district boundaries can submit formal protests by mail or in person.

🧭 Why This Matters

The RRA will have the power to acquire property, redirect property tax revenue, and partner with developers to reshape neighborhoods, often without direct compensation or benefit to the original homeowners.

If you live in or near a fire-affected area—or care about local control and land use—this process is critical.

✅ Stay Informed

Make sure your neighbors, family, and local representatives are aware that:

• The RRA has not been created yet
• You still have a say in the process
• Your protest could stop it altogether

Let’s make sure your community’s future isn’t decided without your voice.

Robbyn Battles | The House Agent | 818-388-1631