LOS ANGELES, CA — Jorge Hernandez Rosas, 41, is vying to be elected to the Los Angeles City Council, representing District 9.
The June 2 primary is wide open, as incumbent Councilman Curren Price is not seeking reelection due to term limits.
Six candidates are vying to replace him, including Rosas.
Learn more about Rosas' goals for Los Angeles:
What is your educational background?
I hold a master of science in counseling from California State University, Los Angeles and a bachelor of science in administration of justice with a minor in sociology from California State University, Dominguez Hills.
I also earned an associate of science in administration of justice from Rio Hondo College. I am currently pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership for justice at CSUDH.
What is your professional background?
I am an adult education ESL (English as a second language) teacher with Los Angeles Unified School District, supporting diverse learners in developing English and life skills.
I also serve as a mental health therapist for a nonprofit organization, providing counseling and support to individuals and families.
Have you ever held public office, whether appointive or elective?
No, I have not held public office in either an appointive or elective capacity. My experience has been in public service through education, mental health counseling, and community engagement. These roles have given me direct insight into the needs of the community and prepared me to serve effectively in public office.
What are the top three issues facing Los Angeles right now?
1. Homelessness and housing affordability
Los Angeles continues to face a severe homelessness crisis driven by high rents and a major housing shortage. The region still lacks hundreds of thousands of affordable housing units, and rising costs continue to push people into homelessness.
2. Public safety and quality of life
Concerns about crime, unsafe streets, illegal dumping, and visible encampments impact neighborhoods across the city. These issues affect residents’ sense of safety, local businesses, and overall quality of life.
3. Economic inequality and cost of living
Many residents struggle with the high cost of living, including rent, utilities, and basic needs. Wage gaps and economic instability make it difficult for working families to stay in the city, contributing to housing insecurity and displacement.
What is one specific policy you would advocate for or introduce as a City Council member in your first year?
One policy I would introduce in my first year is a District 9 Coordinated Response and Accountability Initiative focused on homelessness, public safety, and neighborhood conditions.
This policy would establish a multi-agency task force that brings together mental health professionals, housing services, sanitation, Los Angeles Police Department, and city departments to respond quickly and consistently to encampments, illegal dumping, and high need areas like the Figueroa Corridor. The goal is not just enforcement, but coordinated care — connecting individuals to shelter, treatment, and long-term housing.
It would also include clear response timelines, real-time tracking of service requests, and public dashboards so residents can see results and hold the city accountable.
In addition, I would push for streamlined permitting and incentives to accelerate affordable housing and support small businesses impacted by these issues.
This approach delivers immediate action while building long-term solutions restoring safety, improving quality of life, and ensuring government works for the community.
What specific actions should the City Council take to address homelessness, and how would you evaluate whether those efforts are working?
The City Council must take a coordinated, accountable, and results-driven approach to homelessness.
Specific actions:
1. Expand interim and permanent housing by accelerating approvals and using underutilized city land.
2. Create a multi-agency response team that includes mental health services, outreach workers, sanitation, and Los Angeles Police Department to address encampments with both care and accountability.
3. Increase mental health and substance use services, ensuring people are connected to treatment, not just moved from one location to another.
4. Enforce quality-of-life standards while offering real pathways to housing, keeping neighborhoods clean and safe.
5. Strengthen prevention, including rental assistance and eviction protection to stop homelessness before it starts.
Measuring success:
If outcomes are not improving, funding and strategies must be adjusted. Accountability and transparency are key to ensuring real, lasting results.
What is one specific change you would support through the City Council to improve public safety in your district or citywide?
One specific change I would support is the creation of a Community Safety and Rapid Response Program focused on high-need areas like the Figueroa Corridor.
This program would deploy coordinated teams that include mental health professionals, outreach workers, sanitation crews, and Los Angeles Police Department officers to respond quickly to issues such as illegal activity, encampments, and unsafe conditions. The goal is to address root causes while restoring order and safety.
The program would also invest in preventive infrastructure, including improved street lighting, security cameras in high-incident areas, and traffic calming measures like speed bumps to reduce accidents.
In addition, I would require clear response time standards and public reporting dashboards so residents can track how quickly the city responds and what outcomes are achieved.
This approach strengthens public safety by combining enforcement with services, ensuring accountability, and delivering visible, measurable improvements in our neighborhoods.
How should the City Council balance housing development, neighborhood concerns, and state housing mandates in Los Angeles?
The City Council must take a balanced, transparent, and community informed approach that meets state housing mandates while protecting neighborhood quality of life.
First, we must comply with state requirements by increasing housing production especially affordable housing while focusing growth near transit corridors, commercial zones, and underutilized land. Smart zoning reforms can allow more housing without overwhelming existing neighborhoods.
Second, we must meaningfully engage communities early in the planning process. Residents should have a voice in project design, density, parking, and infrastructure needs. This builds trust and reduces conflict.
Third, we need clear, consistent development standards so projects are not delayed by uncertainty. Streamlining permitting while maintaining environmental and safety protections helps deliver housing faster and more efficiently.
Finally, we must protect residents through anti-displacement policies, tenant protections, and support for small businesses impacted by development.
Balancing these priorities means planning smarter, building faster, and ensuring growth benefits both current residents and future generations.
Why are you a better choice than your opponents?
I am a better choice because I bring real, lived experience and a direct connection to the community, not politics as usual. I was raised in South Los Angeles, and I understand the challenges our families face because I’ve lived them.
As an educator with Los Angeles Unified School District and a mental health therapist, I work on the front lines every day helping people improve their lives, supporting families in crisis, and seeing firsthand what is and isn’t working. I don’t just talk about problems; I deal with them in real time.
I also bring a results-driven mindset. My focus is on action cleaner streets, safer neighborhoods, housing solutions, and stronger support systems not empty promises. I believe in accountability, transparency, and delivering measurable outcomes to the community.
Most importantly, I am not tied to special interests or political insiders. My campaign is rooted in the people of District 9. I will listen, act, and fight for real solutions that improve quality of life for everyone.
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