Council OKs Expansion of House Painting Program

Hoping to freshen up ramshackle facades in North Hollywood, the Los Angeles City Council voted Wednesday to expand a program that provides free house paint to residents.

As part of the city’s $117-million project to redevelop blighted sections of North Hollywood, the “Paint Is Free” program had previously offered homeowners a $750 credit to paint their houses.

But the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency found that 75% of properties in the project area were not owner-occupied and suggested broadening the program to include single-family rentals and apartments, according to a report from the council’s Housing and Community Redevelopment Committee.

“By changing the program, the CRA hopes to double the number of properties that could be painted,” the report said.

The council approved the change unanimously without discussion. Lawmakers also increased the money available to cover the costs of labor and materials for each dwelling from $750 to $3,750.

“It’s wonderful,” said Myran Cotton, a field deputy to Councilman John Ferraro, who represents part of North Hollywood. “It’s helped a lot of people, especially people who are low-income and would really like to do something to their property but can’t afford to. It gives the area a fresh new look, which helps increase the property values.”