Dear City of L.A. Housing–
It has come to my attention that someone is using your good name in jest. I realized this when I saw a sign (shown above) touting “3 out of 4 LA rental units are rent-controlled.” The sign was prominently posted in a subway station in downtown Los Angeles. It wasn’t hidden and was quite accessible and well-lit.
The reason I’m writing is to let you know that some comedian has clearly used your name without your permission. 3 out of 4 rentals is rent-controlled? That’s hilarious (and I do give props to the comic who came up with this). We all know this number is ridiculous, given that developers are tearing down reasonably-priced rentals at an alarming rate, and good people – all over the city – are being evicted because of this. Actually, now that I think about it, this sign isn’t so funny after all. I know people who are being or have been evicted. They’re not having much luck finding housing, let alone rent-controlled housing. And I’m talking about people who work hard to pay their bills. People we rely on for various services in this sprawling town. I’m guessing that not one of them would find the work of this anonymous comic to be funny. This sign, for them, probably serves only to rub salt in their wounds.
At any rate, you may want to locate this sign and remove it. After all, your agency is being credited with something you clearly have not achieved. I’m sure you wouldn’t want to be perceived as anything more than you are. Helpful, effective – those words shouldn’t be applied to your “work” without your consent or applicable actions. And as far as I or my many displaced friends can tell, your agency in no way deserves the implied credit of this fake sign.
Good luck with that.
Your pal–
Mikki B.