Interview with Los Angeles City Council Member Nithya Raman

Nithya Raman’s Background

Nithya Raman, aged 45, has been a member of the Los Angeles City Council since 2020 after defeating incumbent David Ryu. Raman represents a district that includes Los Feliz, the Hollywood Hills, and Sherman Oaks. She was reelected in 2024. Originally from India, Raman moved to the United States at age 6. She holds a degree from Harvard and a master’s from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. After settling in Los Angeles, she founded a nonprofit focusing on homelessness outreach.

Legislative Works

While on the City Council, Raman has taken significant steps in tenant rights and rent stabilization. She chaired the council’s Housing and Homelessness Committee in 2023 but lost the position in a council reshuffle. Her mayoral run led to disagreements with council colleagues, who mostly support Bass.

The following interview provides insights into her accomplishments, challenges, and perspectives.

Achievements and Challenges

Raman regards her leadership in enhancing tenant protections as her most noteworthy success. Post-COVID, she championed Universal Just Cause eviction protections, increased relocation support, and created policies to prevent evictions even when rent is due. Additionally, she facilitated a new requirement for landlords to notify the city of evictions, enabling proactive outreach.

When questioned about Mayor Karen Bass’s shortcomings, Raman highlighted administrative inefficiencies, evidenced by a delayed response to the Palisades fire.

Raman identified her mishandling of the mansion tax reform, known as Measure ULA, as a personal mistake. She spent considerable time consulting with only a few people, failing to build broader support and causing unnecessary confusion.

Police Department and Budget Views

Raman once advocated for defunding the police but has since altered her stance. She has supported budgets maintaining or increasing police staffing. Raman recognizes the city’s budgeting challenges and the necessity of police presence for public safety and timely responses to emergency calls.

Raman expressed the need to maintain police staffing, ideally at 8,700 officers, while acknowledging the importance of developing alternative emergency response systems.

Homelessness in Los Angeles

Discussing homelessness, Raman noted that while some encampments have been cleared, they occasionally repopulate. She attributes this to the movement of people in concentrated areas like Hollywood. Raman suggests a holistic government approach, inspired by San Francisco, involving outreach workers to offer services without arresting individuals.

Political Collaborations and Future Plans

Raman maintains partnerships with various organizations, including the Democratic Socialists for America (DSA), which played a role in advancing tenant protections. Despite media scrutiny, Raman remains committed to engaging with diverse groups.

She admires the contributions of past Los Angeles leaders, drawing inspiration from their accomplishments. Raman states that her political aspirations are centered on Los Angeles, with no interest in pursuing higher offices in Sacramento or D.C. She is motivated by a desire to address the city’s pressing issues.