Crisis Hitting Home
When a powerful windstorm tore through Los Angeles in January, it ripped the roof off a longtime family home. Pedro and Gloria had lived in the same rent-controlled unit for more than 20 years. They had raised their children there and built a lifetime of memories including birthdays, holidays, and family milestones. When the storm hit, their biggest fear was the possibility that they would lose their home forever if they left while repairs were being made.
Their new landlord, Mary had recently purchased the building and was eager to make needed upgrades. The roof was leaking water into Pedro and Gloria’s unit and down into the apartments below them. Every day the damage was getting worse, and other tenants were complaining. The landlord wanted to move quickly with the repairs and did not want anyone living in the unit during construction for safety and liability reasons. The tenants, however, were terrified they would not be allowed to return. They had heard from neighbors that new investors were trying to get long-time residents out of their rental units to renovate and raise rents.
Building Trust Through Mediation
The situation dragged on for weeks. They spoke different languages, which made circumstances more difficult. The tension between the assumptions and language barriers grew until the parties were referred to Loyola Center for Conflict Resolution (LCCR) through our Dispute Resolutions Program. After several phone conversations to understand what each side needed, a face-to-face mediation took place this past Spring.
Two bilingual mediators from LCCR, Stephanie Schestag and Claudia Suarez helped guide the session. It lasted six hours, filled with heated discussions and strong emotions. At first, both sides said they didn’t think they would reach an agreement, but they were willing to try. Slowly, as they began to share their fears and frustrations, they also started to hear one another. Pedro and Gloria expressed how much the home meant to them. Mary expressed her urgency to stop the damage from spreading to other units. What had been complete distrust turned into a conversation where both sides felt heard.
A Win Without a Courtroom
By the end of the session, they came to an agreement. Pedro and Gloria agreed to move out temporarily so repairs could be made. Mary signed a contract guaranteeing that the couple could return under their original rent-controlled lease. She also agreed to provide a temporary relocation fee to support them while the work was being completed.
Neither side expected to walk away with a solution. When the agreement was signed, everyone felt a sense of relief. Mary said, “I couldn’t do this without you. I couldn’t even talk to the tenants before, and now we’ve settled everything with your hep I thank you from the bottom of my heart.” Pedro and Gloria added their praise, saying, “This is only getting handled because of your involvement.”
Why National Mediation Week Matters
This story is a powerful reminder of how mediation creates real results. What began as fear and frustration became trust and understanding guiding both parties forward. Mediation gives people a chance to be heard and find solutions that protect their homes and security. National Mediation Week celebrates those moments of cooperation and resolution. In collaboration with LCCR, DCBA is proud to support our LA County communities through our Dispute Resolution Program, which provides free and accessible mediation services for residents across the county. If you or someone you know is facing a conflict, please head to DCBA’s Dispute Resolution Services page or contact us at (800) 593-8222.
*Names and identifying details in the story have been changed to protect the family’s privacy.
