Los Angeles City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto launched an audit this week of a legal aid nonprofit that provides city-funded eviction defense and rental assistance to tenants at risk of losing their housing.

The audit is centered on the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, or LAFLA, the city’s lead contractor for a program called Stay Housed L.A.

Since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Stay Housed L.A. has received about $54 million in city funds. The organization’s leaders say the money has gone toward representing more than 4,700 tenants in eviction proceedings, providing limited legal assistance to more than 16,000 others, and distributing more than $11 million in rent relief.

In a statement, city attorney spokesperson Karen Richardson said her office “is reviewing this sol

See Full Page