As Los Angeles Struggles with Wildfire Recovery, Corporate Landlords Continue to Push Renters Out to Raise Profits
The recent Palisades and Eaton wildfires that devastated Los Angeles also compounded the city’s eviction and rent increase crisis.
Data from the Los Angeles Housing Department shows more than 3,300 evictions have been filed in the city since January 8, the day after the Palisades fire began. While that is lower than the 4,366 evictions filed at this time last year, the ones filed in 2025 were done under dire circumstances resulting from the wildfires. They also show how far some landlords are willing to go to profit from their properties.
These eviction proceedings could have long-lasting impacts on local households, some of whom may become homeless because of the cases. Despite this risk, investors seem keen on turning over their housing units to raise rents for future tenants, a trend that pre-dates the recent wildfires.
Mass Evictions Fueled by Investor-Owned Properties
Between February 2023 and November 2024, data from the LA Comptroller’s Office shows that more than 166,000 evictions have been filed in the city. More than 90% of those evictions were for “non-payment of rent,” with the average rent owed being almost $4,000. Almost all of those evictions came with a three-day notice, according to the data.
The data shows that hundreds of evictions were from individual properties owned by investors. For instance, 416 evictions were filed at the Wilshire La Brea Apartments at 5200 W. Wilshire Blvd over that 19-month period. The property is owned by Essex Property Trust, a publicly traded real estate investment firm that owns 92 properties across California. All of the evictions filed for that building were for non-payment of rent valued between $2,000 and $9,000, and each came with a three-day notice.
The Promenade Towers in Downtown LA, a privately owned building, had 958 eviction cases filed against tenants compared to the building’s 611 units. Rents owed ranged from around $2,100 to more than $20,000, and each tenant was given a three-day notice. For comparison, units at Promenade Towers rent for between $1,500 and $2,500 per month.
Skyline Terrace, a 198-unit apartment complex on North Figueroa Terrace in the Echo Park neighborhood, has had 458 eviction cases filed, according to the Comptroller’s Office. Most of the non-payment amounts were between $2,000 and $2,900, which is about one month’s rent for most units in the building. The property was developed by G.H. Palmer Associates, an investment firm with more than 15,000 apartments in its portfolio.
The Connection Between Evictions and Rising Homelessness
These evictions are occurring at a time when homelessness in LA remains a pressing issue. Data from the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority shows that there are more than 75,000 people experiencing homelessness across Los Angeles County, which represents a 9% increase year-over-year. More than 45,000 of those people live in the City of Los Angeles, a drop of 2.2% compared to 2023.
Evictions also put many renters at risk of falling into homelessness, especially those who live paycheck-to-paycheck. Altogether, damage from the Palisades and Eaton fires is estimated between $35 billion and $45 billion, according to property data company CoreLogic. That suggests there are a lot of renters who could find themselves displaced or homeless.
Tenant Unions Fight Back, but Officials Are Slow to Act
Tenant unions have packed city council and Board of Supervisors meetings, calling for officials to act against landlords attempting to displace those impacted by the wildfires. Local officials largely avoided doing anything about the issues, which led to multiple people being displaced from their homes, The Nation reported.
Similar stories prompted Gov. Gavin Newsom to issue an executive order temporarily prohibiting landlords from evicting tenants until after March 8.
“At a time when so many have been suddenly displaced, we need more housing and shelter than ever,” Newsom said.
Addressing the Root Causes of Homelessness
To end homelessness, we must agree on its root causes. While some people become homeless after incarceration, the main driver of homelessness is not crime—it’s the lack of affordable housing. California lawmakers, and lawmakers nationwide, should focus on removing barriers to building affordable housing rather than implementing new programs that add unnecessary steps to solving this crisis.
Now is the time to raise our voices about homelessness in California and nationwide. Unhoused people deserve safe, sanitary housing as much as those who can afford rent or a mortgage. Homelessness and poverty are not personal failures; they result from policy choices. That’s why it’s critical to urge your elected officials to support legislation that:
- Streamlines affordable housing development
- Removes barriers to permanent housing for people experiencing homelessness
- Strengthens the government response to homelessness
Together, we can end homelessness.