The minimum wage is not enough to afford rent or a life anywhere in the US.  Housing is particularly out of reach for minimum wage workers in West Hollywood, though it's what most jobs here pay.  Women, Black People, Indigenous People, People Of Color, LGBTQIA+ People, Immigrants, Disabled People, Working Class Families, Seniors and Students disproportionately make lower wages. 

Because of unfair wages:

• 1 in 4 children will go to bed hungry tonight.
•  Hundreds of families are falling into homelessness for the first time each day just in LA County.  
• Many minimum wage workers live in their cars or on the street.
• Over half of those that stay housed pay over 50% of their income to rent.  

The city of West Hollywood is currently drafting a new minimum/living wage ordinance, and the first presented draft would continue the extreme exploitation of workers.  

The City Council has two upcoming meetings where they will hear and give direction on drafts of the ordinance (Oct 18, Nov 1).  They can update this ordinance to ensure every worker in West Hollywood get's paid fairly.  

Getting this done in West Hollywood is good for every worker in the country because of the city's influence.  First to recognize domestic partnerships, first to legal abortions, even first to ban declawing cats - WeHo is known as "The Creative City" that initiates the next big progressive policies for the country to follow.  

We often think of public safety in terms catching and punishing criminals.  But poverty is actually the key factor that leads to violent crime.  Truly safe communities will only come when people are no longer in desperation and aren't driven to commit crimes in the first place.  A big part of this is simply paying a thriving wage.

Higher wages is good for business.  
It costs employers significantly more to onboard and retrain over and over than to retain a happy healthy employee that grows with the company.  Employees are also more productive because of higher morale, and have more to spend and stimulate the economy.  

A Thriving Wage Is Good For Everyone.