Pictured (from left): LA County Supervisor, 4th District Janice Hahn; DCBA Director Rafael Carbajal; Speaker Emerita of the House Nancy Pelosi; LA County Supervisor, 1st District Hilda L. Solis When local leaders travel to Washington D.C. to advocate for our communities, they go with one goal in mind: making sure the needs of Los Angeles…
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Fifty years ago, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors recognized the need for a department dedicated to protecting the rights of consumers in Los Angeles County, an effort championed by Supervisor Ed Edelman. On April 15, 1976, the County of Los Angeles Department of Consumer Affairs opened its doors with a simple but powerful…
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DCBA Stories is an ongoing series of articles showcasing the many ways the staff of the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs answer the call to help the people of Los Angeles County. In the wake of a disaster, essentials like housing can become hard to find. More than 18,000 homes were estimated to be…
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From left to right: Maritza Gutierrez, Maggie Becerra, Morine Merritt, Rose Basmadzhyan, Laura Magallanes, Brisa Horvath, Ericka Vayas, Mary Safaryan, Marina Flores, Christina Hyunh As the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs (DCBA) celebrates its 50th anniversary, we reflect on the Department’s legacy and recognize the leadership shaping the department’s work today…
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DCBA has a long history of advocating for the people who make up the heart of LA County – families, workers, entrepreneurs, business owners, and community members striving for stability and opportunity. Black History Month invites us to honor the leaders whose work strengthened that mission though their vision and service, often in transformative ways.…
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Starting January 2026, several new California laws will take effect across Los Angeles County. From gift cards and food delivery refunds to worker notices, immigrant data protections, and cannabis rules, here is a quick guide to what you should know. Effective January 1, 2026 Consumer Protection: Stronger Rights for Shoppers and Service Users AB 578…
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Why Crises Increase the Risk of Human Trafficking In times of crisis, traffickers prey on the vulnerable. Traffickers may target people who have lost homes, jobs or support systems, or exploit victims’ language and legal barriers. They may use fear, force, fraud, or coercion to exploit a person for labor, services or commercial sex. Natural disasters like the 2025 LA wildfires create chaos and displacement. They leave many people isolated, desperate for…
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The Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs (DCBA) is offering application assistance and free in-language technical support for the LA County Emergency Rent Relief Program as the application deadline approaches. Eligible landlords are encouraged to review program eligibility requirements and submit an application at LACountyRentRelief.com. As part of the application process, tenants are asked to complete a brief tenant profile…
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After a year marked by devastating wildfires, displacement, and mounting financial pressures for Los Angeles County residents, the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs (DCBA) announced today that applications for the Emergency Rent Relief Program will open on Wednesday, December 17, 2025 at 9:00 AM PST. The deadline to submit applications is…
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With the government shutdown creating financial stress for many households, payday loans may seem like a quick solution to cover urgent expenses. But these short-term loans often come with high fees and interest rates that can trap borrowers in a cycle of debt. What are payday loans Payday loans are small, short-term loans – usually…
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