L.A. City Councilman Behind Pallet Housing For Homeless Near West Pasadena Border Faces Recall

Los Angeles City Councilman Kevin de Leon, who is leading an effort to bring “tiny home” villages made of pallets to Eagle Rock and Highland Park near Pasadena, has been served with a notice of a recall effort against him led by residents over de Leon’s handling of the homeless crisis.

De Leon was served with recall papers on Tuesday, according to his communications director.

Pasadena residents living in West Pasadena expressed concerns in March over the pallet housing project at 7570 N. Figueroa St. in Eagle Rock.

The site was intended to house up to 134 homeless people, while the Highland Park site was expected to be able to support 224 people.

After residents expressed concerns, Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo spoke to de Leon and later visited the project.

Pasadena city officials were not consulted before the project was approved by Los Angeles officials.

Pallet shelters are 8-by-8 structures that were designed for disaster relief after Hurricane Katrina. They are made to store flat and assemble quickly.

Each unit is made of aluminum which won’t rust, should last about 10 years, and has bunk beds, shelves, heat, air conditioning, and electrical panels. They can be easily sanitized between users.

Crews broke ground on June 29 on a 224-bed “tiny home” pallet village in Highland Park.

For the recall petition against de Leon to make it to the ballot, it would need 15 % of voters, or about 21,000 signatures, within 120 days four weeks after the notice is served.