Community Engagement Weekend

Community Engagement Weekend: Congresswoman Maxine Waters’ Multi-Event Outreach Across the South Bay

Over the course of a packed two-day schedule, Congresswoman Maxine Waters engaged with thousands of residents across Los Angeles County’s 43rd District, participating in seven major community events centered on public health, small business development, food security, veterans’ support, LGBTQ+ history, and youth-focused service initiatives. Across social media platforms, attendees documented an active weekend marked by large turnouts, community partnerships, and—in several cases—high levels of volunteer engagement.

What follows is an event-by-event account of Congresswoman Waters’ activities, organized chronologically.

**Saturday, November 22

Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Los Angeles**

Congresswoman Waters began her weekend at the Los Angeles Walk to End Alzheimer’s, joining more than 1,000 participants. As Co-Chair of the Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease, she addressed the crowd with an emphasis on federal investment and caregiver support. She noted her longstanding collaboration with national Alzheimer’s organizations and highlighted the substantial growth in federal research funding achieved over the past decade.

Social media posts from volunteers and participants throughout the morning emphasized the walk’s high turnout and the significance of having a senior federal representative present, especially one closely aligned with national Alzheimer’s policy efforts.

**Saturday, November 22

Sports Basement South Bay/Hawthorne Grand Opening & SnowFest**

Immediately after the walk, the Congresswoman traveled to Hawthorne for the grand opening of Sports Basement’s newest South Bay location and its accompanying SnowFest celebration. The event drew families, outdoor recreation groups, and local officials.

Congresswoman Waters’ remarks centered on the store’s investment in local hiring, recreational accessibility, and community partnerships. Online posts from attendees highlighted the festive atmosphere—particularly the outdoor activity demonstrations—and the novelty of the cooperative’s expansion into the region.

**Saturday, November 22

“Wobble Before You Gobble” Zumba Community Event, Gardena**

Later that morning, the Congresswoman joined the City of Gardena and the Inka Lions for a community Zumba event focused on fitness and seasonal giving. In addition to taking part in the physical activities, she assisted volunteers handing out canned goods to families.

Crowd-sourced media from participants showed a notably high level of resident engagement, including multigenerational families and youth groups. Commenters cited the event as an example of Gardena’s coordinated health-and-wellness outreach leading into the holiday season. In her remarks, Congresswoman Waters emphasized that shared moments of joy, exercise, and fellowship reinforce the resilience and unity of South Bay communities.

**Saturday, November 22

Morris Kight Memorial Ceremony – Hollywood Forever Cemetery**

In the afternoon, Congresswoman Waters participated in a memorial ceremony honoring the interment of LGBTQ+ civil rights leader Morris Kight’s ashes atop the Chapel of the Gower Mausoleum. Kight, a pioneering activist whose influence shaped both Los Angeles and the national movement, was commemorated by advocates, historians, and community partners.

Congresswoman Waters delivered reflections recognizing Kight’s lifelong pursuit of dignity and equity, underscoring the continuing relevance of his advocacy. Observers who shared the ceremony online noted the deeply respectful nature of the gathering and the broad representation of community organizations present.

**Sunday, November 23

Kinecta’s 52nd Annual Food Drive – Jesse Owens Park**

Congresswoman Waters began her second day at the longstanding Kinecta holiday food distribution, one of the region’s most enduring charitable traditions. Volunteers, nonprofit partners, and local families participated in the drive-up operation, which provided support to households facing economic strain.

In her remarks, Congresswoman Waters pointed to rising costs of living and recognized the role of local institutions in meeting essential needs. Posts circulating on social media showed long lines of vehicles and a robust volunteer corps operating an efficient distribution process. Many commenters highlighted the food drive’s decades-long reputation for reliability and community focus.

**Sunday, November 23

Hawthorne VFW Post 2075 – 52nd Annual Thanksgiving Dinner for Veterans**

From Jesse Owens Park, the Congresswoman moved to Hawthorne VFW Post 2075 to assist with its annual Thanksgiving dinner for veterans. Established in 1943, the post is one of the oldest in the South Bay and continues to serve as a center of support, connection, and service.

Congresswoman Waters helped prepare and serve meals and took time to greet veterans and their families individually. Attendees shared images online of the Congresswoman working alongside volunteers, with many expressing appreciation for the visibility of federal leadership at a local veterans’ event. In her remarks, she recognized the enduring sacrifices of military families and praised the post for its consistency in upholding traditions of honor and service.

**Sunday, November 23

Jr. Dixon Annual Gospel Musical Fundraiser & Toy Drive**

The Congresswoman concluded her weekend at the Jr. Dixon Annual Gospel Musical Fundraiser and Toy Drive at the Church of the Living God on Western Avenue. The event—now more than three and a half decades strong—combined musical performances with charitable giving for families facing hardship during the holiday season.

She honored Jr. Dixon’s long record of community service affirmed the importance of faith-based initiatives in expanding youth opportunities. Social media reports from attendees highlighted strong musical performances, a warm communal atmosphere, and generous toy donations filling collection areas throughout the event space.

A Weekend Defined by Presence, Partnership, and Public Service

Over two days, Congresswoman Waters participated in seven major public events—each reflecting a different dimension of community need. Her schedule ranged from health advocacy to LGBTQ+ historical recognition, and from family assistance efforts to fitness-based community gatherings.

Across social media, local observers consistently noted the breadth of her presence throughout the district. Many described the weekend as emblematic of her longstanding practice of remaining physically present and publicly accountable within CA-43, even while maintaining a demanding legislative role in Washington.

In closing remarks delivered at the final event of the weekend, Congresswoman Waters reflected that this work remains deeply meaningful to her. Framed in third-person narrative, she emphasized that whether she is advancing federal initiatives in Washington or assisting residents in neighborhood-level efforts at home, she remains committed to showing up, listening, and working directly alongside the people she serves.

 

One of the mantras that we often hear parroted up and down the right side of the political spectrum, focuses “on promises made – promises kept.” Once spewed, those words take on little meaning beyond the self-serving significance of a pretentious mandate. The words provide cover for the entire team. When questioned, they mention their constituents, but only to use them as the cover story that dwells beside their failed policies . Usually when they take or re-affirm their oath, they might mumble a promise to be the leader of all the people – even the ones that did not vote for them. But it is unlikely that those words are meant to include the idea of “service”.  

     Congresswoman Maxine Waters also took the oath and ever so often, when she is not away, fighting the war of words in DC, she is here in the south bay area of  Los Angeles’s 43rd district, meeting and greeting the constituents that she serves.  It is that idea of “service” that is so sorely lacking in the authoritarian push for enforced, single minded subordination, over and above the idea of community, brotherhood, and society that Congresswoman Waters fights to serve. 

 

 

Story: Charles Jackson

Organic Recycling Reset

A New Phase in Inglewood Waste Management as Organics Recycling Requirements Expand

 

The City of Inglewood is entering a new phase of waste management as Republic Services continues implementing organic recycling requirements mandated under California Senate Bill 1383. The statewide law, designed to reduce short-lived climate pollutants, directs all jurisdictions to remove organic materials from landfills to help decrease methane emissions. Methane produced from decomposing food and yard waste has long been recognized as a significant contributor to greenhouse gas levels, prompting California to adopt some of the nation’s most aggressive organics diversion goals.

 

Organic waste encompasses a broad array of everyday materials: fruit and vegetable scraps, meat and dairy remnants, grains, bones, eggshells, coffee grounds, tea leaves, food-soiled paper, and a full range of yard trimmings. For Inglewood residents, these materials now belong in the green organics cart, which was rolled out citywide beginning in 2022. While many residents were accustomed to placing only lawn debris in green bins, the new program requires adding household food waste and eligible paper to the same container. Republic Services has emphasized that proper separation is essential for efficient processing and compliance.

 

Under SB 1383, waste haulers and cities must conduct routine contamination monitoring. In practice, this means Republic Services staff periodically inspect carts to verify correct use and reduce mixing between recyclables, organics, and landfill trash. These inspections have been observed throughout Inglewood neighborhoods and, according to user-generated reports across various social media platforms, have generally been met with a mix of curiosity and adjustment as residents acclimate to the expanded rules.

 

The processing cycle itself is designed to support a broader circular economy. After green cart materials are collected, trucks transport the waste to facilities where it is turned into compost. The resulting product becomes nutrient-rich fertilizer used by landscapers, golf courses, and private customers. Inglewood residents also benefit from an annual compost giveaway, which has become an opportunity for community engagement around the new recycling practices.

 

SB 1383 also contains a major food recovery provision aimed at reducing statewide food insecurity. The law requires the recovery of a share of edible food that would otherwise be discarded and supports redistribution networks that serve residents in need. This element of the law has received positive attention online from organizations involved in food assistance programs, who see the mandate as a promising complement to environmental objectives.

 

In addition to organics collection, Republic Services continues to operate the city’s recycling and trash programs with updated guidance. Accepted recyclable materials include plastics numbered one through seven, metal cans, glass containers, and a wide variety of paper products and cardboard. Trash carts remain reserved for non-recyclable, non-organic items such as polystyrene foam, broken dishware, plastic utensils, diapers, packing materials, pet waste, and other routine household refuse.

 

The city also provides several ancillary waste services. Residents may request unlimited bulk item pickups each year, and commercial customers may schedule larger removals for a fee. Household batteries are collected separately when placed bagged on top of recycling carts. Inglewood participates in the regional holiday tree recycling program, accepting undecorated trees beginning the first collection day after Christmas. For medication disposal, a designated drop-off is maintained at a local pharmacy, with additional permanent sites listed through federal resources.

 

As Inglewood residents continue adapting to the evolving regulatory environment, the city and Republic Services remain focused on education, annual tenant training requirements, and consistent program enforcement. The transition marks a significant shift in everyday waste habits, but one aligned with the state’s long-term climate strategy and community-level environmental stewardship.

Some of these changes may come as a surprise to many Inglewood residents. If so the general customer service line for Republic Services, which handles recycling and waste collection, is (800) 299-4898.

​Keep in mind that Republic Services is a large company, and some areas may have a local office with a different number, or a different number for specific services. The search results show this number is used for many California locations like Inglewood, Compton, and Whittier. If you need a more specific contact, you might want to visit the Republic Services “Contact Us” page and enter your address to find the number for your specific service area.

 

Stay Tuned

Ooh Child

In early September 2025, human remains were discovered in the front trunk of a Tesla impounded at a Hollywood tow yard. The car had been ticketed, towed, and abandoned on a street in the Hollywood Hills. 

The vehicle is registered to the singer D4vd (born David Anthony Burke), a rising artist with millions of monthly listeners, known for songs like “Romantic Homicide” and “Here with Me.” 

 

The body was eventually identified as 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who had been reported missing in April 2024 from Lake Elsinore, California.  The medical examiner described the remains as severely decomposed, and determined the death appeared to have occurred some time before the car was impounded.  Authorities are investigating the case as a homicide, though no official charges have been announced. 

 

According to police, the Tesla had been parked on Bluebird Avenue in the Hollywood Hills for weeks.  Transforming this, the impound came after a parking citation for violating a 72-hour parking rule; two days after that citation, the car was towed.  Then, on September 8, tow yard workers alerted police to a foul odor; officers searched the car and discovered the remains in a bag inside the front trunk.

Investigators later executed a search warrant at a Hollywood Hills residence associated with D4vd. Electronics, computers, and other items were seized.  Meanwhile, D4vd canceled the rest of his U.S. tour dates. 

 

Family, fans, and community members have expressed deep grief. A vigil was held in Lake Elsinore, her hometown.  According to reports, Celeste had a “Shhh…” tattoo on her right index finger – a detail that drew attention because photos show the same tattoo on D4vd’s finger.  However, authorities have not confirmed a personal relationship or romantic involvement between the two. 

 

Law enforcement officials claim that D4vd has not cooperated with the investigation.  As of now, no formal suspect has been publicly named, including D4vd. The cause of death also remains under review, due to the advanced state of decomposition. 

This case has drawn widespread media attention and social media discussion — in part because of the singer’s fame, the shocking circumstances, and questions about how and when the girl’s body ended up in his vehicle. But as of now, public reporting remains focused on confirmed facts: the identity of the victim, her disappearance, the discovery in the Tesla, the investigation, and the cooperation of Burke (D4vd).

     As I was watching the story unfold, I started to wonder about how this twenty something unknown somehow became so well known. One does not  just show up and perform at the Hollywood Bowl, without some degree of clout. Reading further, I recognized his last name Burke. Early in my career, I was a part of a decent band. Locally, in Dayton Ohio, we often showed up at the Lakeview Palladium, as an opening act.

The Stairsteps

We crossed paths with another group of kids by the name of the Five Stairsteps. They were experiencing some degree of success – ahead of the Jackson 5. I met one of the Stairstep kids – a young man named Kenny Burke. My curiosity paid off, and I discovered that Kenny of Five Stairsteps fame is the grandfather of young David Burke.

     Bingo or perhaps Eureka is the better word. Kenny – now known as Keni Burke has remained tangentially relevant in the music business. Since the days with his other four siblings, when Burke recorded the Stan Vincent hit record

Keni Burke

, “Ooo Child” his most recent original releases were the single “So Real” in 2011 and the album “Nothin’ But Love” in 1998. His older hit, “Risin’ to the Top,” remains popular and has seen recent re-releases and remixes. The mystery surrounding Keni’s grandson remains a mystery as of this writing, but the mystery surrounding the young man’s talent as well as his rise to the top is for now resolved. We wish him well, and hope that the evolving mystery of the life and death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez is also resolved and that her memory will be a blessing.

 

Story: Charles Jackson

The Fight For Food

Congresswoman Maxine Waters, on Friday sharply condemned the federal government’s handling of food-assistance payments as part of the ongoing funding standoff, and directed families in her district to local relief resources while the legal fight over SNAP continues.

 

Ms. Waters — the ranking member of the House Financial Services Committee — issued a statement in early November criticizing the administration’s move to withhold or limit November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits during the partial government shutdown and urging residents to seek immediate help from community programs. Her office emphasized that people who rely on SNAP should also look to local food banks, school districts, and municipal services for emergency assistance. 

 

The dispute over November SNAP funding has been resolved only temporarily by the courts, leaving many households uncertain. The U.S. Supreme Court issued an emergency order earlier this month that briefly paused a lower-court mandate requiring full SNAP disbursements; the administration has continued to press the matter in the appeals courts. At the same time, appeals judges and lower courts have issued competing rulings and injunctions, meaning distribution practices have varied by state and some jurisdictions moved quickly to process full payments while others provided partial benefits or used state funds to fill gaps. These legal developments have affected roughly tens of millions of recipients nationwide. 

 

Waters’ statement pointed constituents to concrete, actionable resources in Los Angeles County and in the cities that fall within California’s 43rd Congressional District — including Inglewood, Hawthorne, Gardena, Lawndale, Compton and Torrance — where municipal and nonprofit networks are expanding emergency assistance while the federal picture remains unsettled. Her office listed phone and web contacts for food help and programs that serve seniors, families and young children. 

 

Practical options for Angelenos in need right now include dialing 2-1-1 (the county’s social-services directory) or visiting the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank’s online pantry finder to locate nearby partner agencies and pop-up distributions; the food bank’s locator lets users search by ZIP code for up-to-date pantry hours and contact details. City residents can also call 3-1-1 to learn about FamilySource Centers and weekly food distributions for qualifying low-income families. 

Families with infants or young children are reminded that WIC — the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children — continues to operate separately from SNAP and may provide immediate nutrition support, breastfeeding assistance and referrals. California’s WIC program maintains a toll-free line (1-800-852-5770) and local WIC clinics where eligibility can be confirmed and enrollment expedited. 

 

Congresswoman Waters’ release and multiple community partners underscored a final, practical point: while courts and officials litigate funding questions, many relief systems remain active at the county and city level. Residents in need are advised to contact 2-1-1, the LA Regional Food Bank’s pantry finder, their school district or local FamilySource Center, and WIC if they qualify — and to call municipal aging or social-service lines for senior-specific referrals. Waters’ office also encouraged community members to share information about local distributions, so neighbors know where to find food now. 

 

UPDATE
Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson has given the Trump administration until 4 p.m. ET on Monday to submit an additional brief to support its request for a stay on a lower court’s ruling that it must pay the November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in full by using funds from other Child Nutrition Programs during the federal government shutdown.

 

Ms. Waters written Statement

 

 

Story: Charles Jackson

The MESSAGE to America

If you live within the boundaries of Los Angeles’ 43rd congressional district that encompasses a significant portion of the South Bay and South Los Angeles.

​Your district includes:

​The entire cities of Hawthorne, Inglewood, Lawndale, Gardena, and Lomita.

​Portions of the cities of Los Angeles (including LAX and the neighborhood of Watts) and Torrance.

​Census-designated places like Lennox, Del Aire, Alondra Park, West Athens, and Westmont.

In light of the longest and most destructive government shutdown in United States history, your United States Congressional representative, Maxine Waters addresses the nation with a message for you.

The Message 

Click Here

https://iqconnect.house.gov/iqextranet/view_newsletter.aspx?id=107266&c=CA43MW

 

Calling All Cars

During a recent meeting of the Carson City Council in the City of Carson, California, a heated discussion emerged around the city’s paratransit service program — specifically the contract for its “Dial-A-Ride” service for seniors and disabled residents. The focal point: the proposed shift in contract from the longtime local provider Yellow Cab of Los Angeles (and its affiliate) to the ride-hailing giant Uber. From the remarks of Councilman Jawane Hilton of District 1, who anchored much of the discussion, the decision appears to have been shaped by resident testimony, service-quality concerns, and the unique transportation needs of seniors and disabled individuals.

 

Councilman Hilton opened by noting that Carson residents spoke “clearly and passionately” about the dependable service they have received from Yellow Cab over decades — especially for seniors and disabled riders. According to his account, Yellow Cab has built relationships, trust, and service protocols familiar to clients who rely on curb-to-curb rides for medical appointments, trips to visit loved ones, and maintaining a quality of life. From his viewpoint, the motion to award the Dial-A-Ride contract to Uber — even though Uber currently lacks handicap-accessible vehicles and has a record of service complaints — risked undermining those relationships.

 

Hilton proposed a compromise: rather than sole-sourcing the service to Uber, split the contract so that Yellow Cab would continue providing transportation specifically for the seniors and disabled passengers, while also launching an outreach and education initiative to boost awareness of the service, aiming to improve access for residents who may not yet be familiar with how to use the program. His substitute motion prevailed after debate, ensuring that the senior and disabled segment would remain protected rather than shifted entirely to a new vendor.

The significance of the issue extends beyond the simple vendor choice. At stake is access, continuity of care, and service equity. Riders with disabilities or mobility constraints often rely not only on a ride being available, but on the driver’s familiarity with their needs, the timing and reliability of the ride, and the ability to book via phone rather than purely through smartphone apps. During the council meeting, residents and disability advocates emphasized that the ability to call in, the familiarity of the driver, and the consistency of service matter as much as cost or app-based convenience.

 

From publicly available meeting summaries, staff had recommended awarding the contract to Uber as the single contractor after a standard RFP. But following vigorous public comment and council debate, the Council directed city staff to develop a dual-provider approach, allocating trips between two vendors and returning to the Council with revised contract drafts. The city emphasized that any interim contract must include termination and performance remedies, ensure phone-based booking for residents unable to use apps, preserve the role of local taxi drivers, and prevent service disruptions during the transition.

 

From the resident perspective represented by Councilman Hilton, the key concerns were: (1) whether shifting to Uber alone would disrupt the continuity of service for seniors and disabled riders; (2) whether Uber’s fleet is equipped (or lacking) in terms of accessible vehicles for those who use wheelchairs or other mobility aids; (3) whether an app-based dispatch-only model sufficiently addresses the population in Carson who depend on low-cost, accessible transportation and might struggle with smartphone-only scheduling.

 

By securing a split contract and preserving Yellow Cab’s longstanding role, the council effectively hedged against the risk of service gaps or degradation. Councilman Hilton’s argument was that while innovation and new service models can offer efficiencies, the city cannot compromise the quality of service for vulnerable populations in the name of cost or modernization alone.

 

At the same time, the decision reflects a balancing act in municipal procurement: on the one hand, the possibility of integrating ride-hail platforms like Uber which may promise more flexibility or lower cost; on the other hand, the imperative to maintain local vendor capacity, ensure equity of access (especially for non-smartphone users), and preserve service relationships tailored to vulnerable users. The outreach and education component proposed by Hilton also signals a recognition that simply changing providers is not enough — residents need to know how to navigate the service.

 

One of the broader themes here is the intersection of public procurement, senior and disability services, and the evolving ride-share economy. As traditional taxi services face competition from app-based alternatives, municipalities like Carson are tasked with ensuring that vulnerable riders are not left behind in the transition. Issues of accessibility, trust, reliability, and digital literacy become just as important as pricing and vendor innovation.

 

Councilman Hilton’s emotional tone (“Yes I was passionate but at times that is what is required,” as he put it) underscored the stakes from his perspective: that seniors and disabled residents of Carson must not see a drop in service simply because of a shuffle in vendors. It was not about rejecting Uber outright, but about preserving local service infrastructure and ensuring that the replacement or addition of vendors does not erode service quality.

 

In sum: The City of Carson Council’s decision — guided by Councilman Hilton’s advocacy — reflects a cautious approach to modernizing paratransit services. By approving a substitute motion to split the contract rather than awarding it solely to Uber, the council upheld continuity for seniors and disabled riders via Yellow Cab while opening the door to new service models and outreach efforts. The resolution therefore attempts to balance innovation with equity, responsiveness with reliability, and cost-efficiency with human needs. The key test ahead will be the implementation: whether the dual-provider model maintains the service levels residents expect, whether the access and education programs reach the intended audience, and whether the transition avoids disruptions for those most dependent on the service.

 

As the writer of this story, I try to avoid editorialising and conflating personal perspectives into a piece, however I put myself through college, driving a yellow cab, and spent considerable time behind the wheel of a Super Shuttle, or Uber and recently retired as a Metro driver. I was often in the seat, servicing Carson residents on the 246 line down Avalon.

As a rule, passengers with disabilities will most always find comfortable accommodations on Metro buses, but the few times that I needed to accommodate a wheel chair when driving an Uber – it was not a great experience, because my vehicle was a compact SUV, when they should have ordered a Comfort, or even an Uber Black. The range and size of vehicle requests, sight unseen can sometimes vary, and cancellation is not always pleasant. When Councilman Hilton reached out to me, I was intrigued by the opportunity to help spread the word about such a dynamic issue, that while smoothed over in compromise, it may yet face continuous debate.

 

Stay Tuned.

 

Story: Charles Jackson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Urgent Communication

Urgent Communication

 

The office of Maxine Waters (D-CA) has issued a strong condemnation of what it describes as a “mass firing” at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) during the current federal government shutdown. On October 14, 2025, Waters — ranking Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee — released a statement asserting that roughly 442 HUD employees have been terminated, citing figures from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). 

According to the figures shared by Waters’ office, the breakdown of the terminations includes: 103 employees from HUD’s Office of Public and Indian Housing; 36 from Housing Counseling; 50 from Housing Operations; 114 from Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity; and 30 from Community Planning and Development. 

The statement alleges that the firings occurred amid the ongoing “Trump-Republican shutdown,” linking the move to broader efforts by the federal government to reduce workforce numbers and weaken HUD’s ability to deliver on its mandate. Waters characterized the action as “cruel, dangerous, and disgraceful,” and argued that it jeopardizes assistance programs relied on by millions of Americans. 

Earlier this year, Congresswoman Waters raised concerns about field-office closures at HUD, including allegations that the agency under Scott Turner may be planning to shutter a significant portion of its regional presence. In April 2025 she sent a letter to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and HUD’s Office of Inspector General seeking inquiry into whether HUD was meeting its legal obligations to maintain regional offices. 

A protest at HUD’s Washington, D.C. headquarters earlier in March backed the concerns. Federal workers and community advocates gathered to protest workforce reductions and warn that staffing cuts could delay housing assistance and negatively impact vulnerable households. Waters participated in delivering a letter to HUD, according to local coverage. 

In her press release Waters emphasized that HUD’s key programs support extremely low-income households, noting that wide-scale terminations of staff would hamper the agency’s ability to carry out its mission: “Millions of Americans depend on,” she said, “federal assistance to keep a roof over their heads.”

While the press release makes strong claims about the legality of the action — stating that the firings were “illegal” because Congress has already appropriated funds and the President cannot eliminate mandated programs — external independent sources have not yet fully verified all aspects of the firings, such as the exact number or each affected office. 

For Angelenos and other Americans who depend on programs administered by HUD — such as tenant-based housing vouchers, project-based rental assistance, and public housing — the staffing reductions, if accurate, could mean slower processing of claims, fewer enforcement actions for housing discrimination, and increased workload on remaining staff. Waters’ office places the number of Americans who rely on HUD programs at roughly 9 to 9.3 million, nationwide.

As the shutdown continues, and as congressional Democrats press oversight of HUD’s actions, the outcome of these staffing changes — including any legal challenges and operational impacts — will bear watching. Congresswoman Waters has pledged to “hold this Administration accountable” and to continue fighting for safe and affordable housing access “regardless of race, zip code, or income.” 

 

Full Press Release

https://1man1vote.com/wp/full-press-release/

 

 

Charles Jackson: Author

Defend America. VOTE

The state of California leads the charge to defend against Donald Trump’s deceptive attempt to rig upcoming battles for congressional seats. VOTE!

The major special election for California in 2025 is the Statewide Special Election on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.

​All registered voters in California will receive a ballot for this election, which includes a vote on Proposition 50.

​Key Dates for the November 4, 2025, Statewide Special Election:

​October 6, 2025: Vote-by-mail ballots begin to be mailed to all registered voters.

​October 20, 2025: Last day to register to vote.

​November 4, 2025: Election Day.