A BALLOT MEASURE in Los Angeles that would have required hotels in the city to house the homeless along with paying guests has been officially withdrawn
from consideration. However, the Los Angeles City Council also passed an ordinance to replace the ballot measure that some local hoteliers also protest its passage.
The ballot measure, sponsored by Unite Here Local 11 hospitality workers union, would have required hotels to house homeless voucher holders with regular guests,
spurring protests by AAHOA, the American Hotel & Lodging Association and others. Last week, Unite Here agreed to withdraw that ballot measure, which was going to
go before voters in March.
Also last week, the council approved the Responsible Hotel Ordinance to replace the ballot measure and that would allow hotels to voluntarily make vacant rooms
available for interim housing for the homeless. It also would require developers of new hotel properties to obtain a conditional use permit through a public review
of the proposed development's impact on the existing housing supply and to replace any housing that would be demolished or otherwise lost in the neighborhood.
MORE THAN SEVEN in 10 Americans would be deterred from booking a hotel room in Los Angeles if hotels there are forced to house homeless people next to paying
guests, according to a recent poll by American Hotel & Lodging Association. The survey was released as the city of Los Angel considers a proposed ordinance that
would require hotels to house homeless individuals alongside paying guests, a change opposed by AHLA and AAHOA.
Los Angeles residents will vote in March 2024 on the ballot initiative proposed by Unite Here, a labor union representing L.A.-area hotel workers. The AHLA study
highlighted the significant impact such a policy would have on tourism and hotel occupancy in the city. However, if Unite Here's ballot initiative passes, Los
Angeles would be the first city in American history to require hotels to house homeless people alongside paying guests.