The ordinance, which could lead to banks paying up to $1,000 a day for unkempt properties, was passed two years ago thanks to SEIU 721 members. It has not been enforced because the city said they were unable to afford to send out inspectors. City Councilman Eric Garcetti lead the push for the amendment, which forces banks to register foreclosed properties exclusively with the city and imposes an “enforcement fee” that will pay for the LA Building & Safety Department to inspect every registered property.
“It is about time” said Jacob Miller, an animal care technician who has been working to have this ordinance enforced. “SEIU 721 members have worked hard with our community partners to make these big banks clean up or pay up. This not only brings in much needed revenue for the city but will clean up our neighborhoods.”
Miller also called the passing of the amendment a win for “equality” since most of the most poorly kept up neighborhoods were lower income while the banks were taking care of foreclosed properties in other areas. “Everyone deserves a nice clean neighborhood” he said.
A day before the city council passed the amendment, SEIU 721 joined Good Jobs LA and ACCE to deliver trash from foreclosed homes to the bank the owns them, Bank of New York Mellon. Activists also delivered an invoice for $4.7 million, the amount the bank would have owed the city if the ordinance had been enforced.
SEIU 721 members have been working hard to identify blighted bank-owned properties across Los Angeles. Recently, SEIU members joined community members and elected officials for a tour of blighted properties. Click here to read more.