West Hollywood : Rent Law Change Approved

Attempting to balance one of the nation’s tightest housing markets against residents’ social service needs, the City Council has decided to allow changes in its rent laws that would permit converting existing residential rental housing to residential care facilities.

The changes will be limited to child-care programs and residential programs that provide housing and at least one other support service to people who are not prepared to live independently.

Before the council’s decision, there was no way for the city’s Rent Stabilization Commission to approve changes in rental use based solely on the merits of the proposals.