February Newsletter

Dear Neighbors,

I wanted to share important opportunities for families and small businesses in our district.

My office is here to help. Contact us with questions about these programs or for assistance with state services.

Tax season is here, and free help is available for all income levels. There are resources available to get help in-person or virtually, as well as information about how to file your taxes yourself.  There are multiple ways to file for free. 

Get Free In-Person Assistance (Income under $69,000)

Local, IRS-certified volunteers provide free tax preparation through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. Many sites offer bilingual services.

Get Free Virtual Assistance (Income under $69,000)

IRS-certified volunteers provide free, remote tax preparation through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.

File Your Taxes Yourself

File your federal and state taxes for free from anywhere using IRS Free File software. Your adjusted gross income must be under $89,000. Alternatively, anyone may use IRS Fillable Forms to file their taxes. 

Eligible taxpayers can receive federal and state tax credits including:

- Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) 

- California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC)

- Child Tax Credit

- Young Child Tax Credit

Services are available now through April 15. You can file even if you use an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN). For more information, please visit: https://www.lapl.org/tax-information

LA County's Emergency Rent Relief Program reopened on February 9, 2026. For the first time, tenants can now initiate the application directly, but landlord participation is still required. Below you will find information about eligibility, what’s covered and how the program works. 

Who is eligible:

- Wildfire survivors: Tenants affected by the 2025 Palisades and Eaton fires who experienced job loss, reduced hours, or business disruption

- Economic hardship: Households facing sudden loss of income from recent emergencies

- Priority given to households with income at or below 80% of Area Median Income

What's covered:

- Up to 6 months of back rent (maximum $15,000 per unit)

- Utility bills (electric, water) related to the rental unit

- Both unincorporated areas and cities are eligible

How it works:

Tenants can now start the application, but landlord must also complete required documentation. If approved, funds are paid directly to landlords to clear rental debt. Small landlords (4 or fewer units) whose units sustained wildfire damage can also apply separately.

With $30 million available countywide, applying early is strongly encouraged.

Apply: https://www.lacountyrentrelief.com

The California Housing Finance Agency's Dream for All program will accept applications for down payment assistance until March 16, 2026, at 5 PM. 

Key Details:

- Up to 20% of home purchase price in down payment assistance

- For first-generation homebuyers

- $150-200 million available in 2026

- Random selection process

- Income limits apply by county

This shared appreciation loan can help eligible families save about $1,200 per month. Work with a CalHFA-approved lender to get pre-approved before applying.

Learn more: https://www.calhfa.ca.gov/dream/

Eligible LADWP customers may qualify for FREE services to replace traditional lawns with a sustainable, drought-tolerant landscape. 

Other free services include rain capture features, irrigation controllers, smart monitoring devices, and sprinkler upgrades.

For more information please visit: https://www.ladwp.com/residential-services/programs-and-rebates-residential/landscape-efficiency-assistance-program

The 2028 Olympics and Paralympics are projected to create nearly 80,000 jobs with an $11 billion economic impact. Small businesses seeking to be included in these opportunities can find a variety of resources to help navigate this process. 

If you run a small business and are interested in working with LA28, you can register here: https://la28.supplierone.co/

There are many other resources for small businesses interested in the Olympics including the City of Los Angeles ProcureLA office and the LA County Department of Economic Opportunity Office of Small Business. Both help small businesses navigate government contracting and access resources to start, grow, and compete for public opportunities. Many opportunities will be posted on the City of LA Regional Alliance Marketplace for Procurement website. And prime contractors and corporate buyers can find small business partners at USC’s Compete4LA database. 

Let's show up for MacArthur Park! Help keep our community pride strong by joining us for the clean-up event ShineLA at MacArthur Park this Saturday, February 28. 

What: ShineLA! 🌳✨

When: Saturday, February 28 from 8AM - 12PM

Where: MacArthur Park 

We're teaming up with Mayor Bass and partners to clean up, connect, and celebrate our community. It will be a morning of service, a resource fair, free food, and more.

Bring your reusable water bottle - LADWP will have a water truck on site for refills. 💧

RSVP at mayor.lacity.gov/shinela 

As your State Senator, I stand with you and am committed to ensuring you have immediate access to vital legal information, trusted resources, and unwavering support to protect your families and uphold your rights. 

Click here to download the bilingual Know Your Rights Card (English/Spanish)

These cards are also available in:

• Arabic
• Chinese (Simplified) / Chinese (Traditional)
• Farsi
• Tagalog
• Vietnamese

If you have concerns if you see ICE in your neighborhood or if someone you know is detained, you can call the Los Angeles Rapid Response Hotline: 1-888-624-4752. This is a multilingual, confidential hotline.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER: This article and these documents are for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice by the Senate. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney.