For residents like Phoebe Valencia, a tenant living in the Santa Monica-Vermont apartments, funded by the United to House LA (ULA) coalition and built by the Little Tokyo Service Center, the ULA measure changed her life when she needed it most.

This Tuesday, Valencia joined coalition members and City Council leaders to announce that the ULA initiative has officially raised over one billion dollars, they commemorated a historic milestone in affordable housing, tenant protection, and well-paying union jobs across Los Angeles. “After six years without stable housing, I had begun to lose hope,” Valencia said, recalling her life before ULA's assistance. "Having a safe and affordable home has given me something I didn't have before: a sense of security and the opportunity to finally get ahead. Now, many more people will be able to have this same help." She shared a bit of her life story, saying that she tragically lost her husband to gun violence in 2016 and, shortly after, lost her home. She recounted how she lived on the streets of Los Angeles County before moving to Skid Row. She said that when she received her home, it was the first time in years that she could sleep peacefully, without having to worry about her safety. “Most people forget that homeless people are also human beings and that, for the most part, they weren't born living on the streets,” she said. "Today we celebrate ULA's years of work, which have created opportunities and resources for people like me. We celebrate the creation of permanent housing: a place and a space we can call our own." The ULA measure was passed in 2022 and went into effect in April 2023. It imposed a 4% tax on real estate sales over $5 million, later adjusted to $5.3 million, and a 5.5% tax on sales over $10 million. ULA has become the largest local housing and homelessness prevention initiative in the United States. This demonstrates the magnitude and impact of community-driven, voter-backed solutions to one of Los Angeles' most pressing challenges. “Every dollar raised through ULA is a dollar working for the people of Los Angeles,” said Joe Donlin, director of the United to House LA coalition. “This is one billion people's dollars, invested in housing stability, tenant protection, and local jobs,guided by the will of voters who demanded a fairer and more affordable city.” According to ULA, the initial Accelerator Plus funding round has already enabled hundreds of housing units to enter the development and opening phase. As of November 2025, 187 units are open in Santa Monica and Vermont; 177 units are preparing to open in the three buildings at Enlightenment Plaza in East Hollywood; and construction is underway at Peak Plaza (104 units). Other projects under development include Alveare Family (105 units), The Main (64 units), and Chavez Gardens (110 units). One of those projects currently under construction is located in Councilwoman Eunisses Hernandez's district in Lincoln Heights and is called Grace Villas; it will have 48 units. The housing, which will be built on a city parking lot, will be intended for people with disabilities and families who require spacious homes. “Today there is a lot of joy, a lot of happiness, and the confirmation that fighting for what is right is worthwhile,” said the councilwoman. “Many of our communities are going through hardship right now. We've had more than 30 weeks of escalating federal immigration raids. “Many families have been affected by this and are on the verge of eviction or have already been evicted, putting them at risk of homelessness.” According to ULA organizers, the organization has significantly expanded tenant protections and homelessness prevention initiatives. Since June 2024, ULA funds have supported the Stay Housed LA initiative, in partnership with the City of Los Angeles, reaching more than 154,000 renters through outreach programs, legal assistance, and tenant rights education. At the morning celebration, the councilwoman also took a moment to inform those present that this was made possible by their voter turnout. this year, because it's important to remember that the people you vote for locally are the ones who decide whether to invest in our communities,” Hernandez said. “It's a reminder to people that the power is with the people.”