After more than a decade of residing in a two-bedroom apartment in Los Feliz, Debra Weiss faced an all-too-common challenge for renters in Los Angeles: eviction.
Weiss, who is 69 and works as a textile artist, moved into her apartment in 2014. Four years later, a wealthy family purchased the property, aware that they couldn’t evict Weiss and the other tenants due to rent control laws.
However, when the three-unit complex went on the market in 2022, the new owners offered Weiss $50,000 to vacate — a substantial sum that exceeded the legal requirements. Concerned about how accepting this offer might affect her Social Security benefits due to income restrictions, Weiss ultimately declined.
In February, she and the other tenants received eviction notices under the Ellis Act, a California law permitting landlords to evict tenants of rent-controlled apartments for the purpose of removing the property from the rental market or demolishing it. The property was subsequently listed for $3.2 million.
As a senior, Weiss was entitled to a year’s notice, given her long-term tenancy. Nonetheless, she anticipated relocating from her spacious 1,200-square-foot duplex, where she paid $2,670 a month. Searching for a new apartment, Weiss quickly realized that she could no longer afford to remain in Los Feliz, where rent prices had soared.
“The apartments were so much more expensive than what I was used to paying, and they had no parking or a washer and dryer,” Weiss said, reflecting on her search. She received $24,650 in relocation assistance, which was taxed due to her age and the length of her residency in her previous apartment.
She noted some small studios and contemplated purchasing a Tenancy in Common (TIC), but would require a co-signer for a loan. The TICs, while charming, often were tiny and located in less desirable neighborhoods. An option that caught her eye, a Craftsman apartment near USC, turned out to be expensive and in a neighborhood that lacked the walkability she cherished. “I’m almost 70 years old and I need light to work,” she added, underscoring her criteria during the search.
The turning point came when her son-in-law discovered a delightful two-bedroom apartment near the Los Angeles County Museum of Art listed for $2,950 a month on Zillow. After viewing it, Weiss felt an immediate connection.
“My initial reaction was, ‘I want this,’” Weiss recalled about the fourplex. The apartment boasted high ceilings, oak floors, generous sunlight, a charming fireplace, a garage, and even a washer and dryer. While the newly renovated kitchen felt somewhat out of place in the 1930s building, Weiss found it didn’t deter her excitement. “The kitchen is a blank canvas,” she noted, excitedly envisioning how her ceramics would complement the space.
To her surprise, the landlord was receptive to renting to her despite her age. “The light is amazing,” she exclaimed after settling in. Despite initial concerns about the modern overhead lighting, it proved to illuminate her space beautifully, allowing her to work comfortably at night.
Now nearly a year into her new home, Weiss has filled the apartment with her vibrant stitched collages, quilts, and various artworks, many of which are “trades.” She described her passion for color and pattern, spotlighting pieces like a wall hanging in the guest room. This particular wall hanging features a trio of woven gingham patterns embroidered with characters she drew inspiration from based on her 5-year-old granddaughter’s art.
“The piece symbolizes people coming together in chaos and supporting each other,” she explained, emphasizing the narrative behind her artwork.
In her guest room, above her sewing machine, a collection of metal sculptures knitted from copper and silver hangs next to cloth dolls and purses. In the corner, a stunning cowl created from macrame, textiles, and yarn adorns a striking mannequin. A colorful rug she made with acrylic yarn decorates the floor, showcasing her creative flair.
In her bedroom, a bespoke coverlet made from vintage quilts adds a cozy touch to her bed. The long hallway leading to the laundry room displays a series of her colorful quilts and weavings, reminiscent of her improvisational approach to art: “I work without planning and respond to the materials and see what it becomes,” Weiss shared.
Much of the wood furniture in her apartment has sentimental value, crafted by her father over the years. “I’ve had this since my kids were little,” she remarked, pointing to a hutch he made for her family home in Van Nuys four decades ago.
The dining room table, another of her father’s creations, has become a hub for Weiss’s workshops, lessons in fiber art, collage, and stitching. Later this year, she plans to host a sale of her work during a holiday open house at her apartment.
The eclectic mix of colorful Persian rugs, natural materials, and intricately knitted metal sculptures fosters a warm, inviting ambiance throughout her new space. For Weiss, the blend of comfort and creativity provides a sense of solace, particularly after facing tumultuous transitions in her life.
Having raised three daughters single-handedly and navigated significant life changes, Weiss describes herself as an entrepreneur. She previously operated a clothing company, Rebe, until its closure in 2019 amid economic challenges. After declaring bankruptcy and selling her Woodland Hills house, Weiss faced yet another upheaval with the eviction process. “I’ve always figured out a way to make money by selling the things that I make,” she said, illustrating her resilience.
Despite the stress of moving, Weiss has found contentment in her new apartment and neighborhood. “I take the Metro bus everywhere and hardly ever drive,” she expressed, relishing the proximity to attractions like the Hollywood Farmer’s Market, Kaiser Permanente, and the nearby LACMA.
Reflecting on her journey, Weiss cherishes her colorful, inviting living space as a haven of creativity and inspiration, proving that despite life’s challenges, there is always an opportunity for renewal.
image source from：latimes
