# Kody Christiansen:  From Homeless to Harvard to … West Hollywood City Hall? 2026 Campaign Story.

*The candidate, who was once homeless on the Sunset Strip and later studied at Harvard, is running on public safety, housing, local business and animal care.*

Published 2026-10-23 by Kody Christiansen via LivePublicator.
Source: https://livepublicator.com/news/wehopekody/kody-christiansen-launches-wehope-campaign-for-west

**In one sentence:** Kody Christiansen has announced his candidacy for West Hollywood City Council in 2026 under the campaign name WEHOpe.

Kody Christiansen is running for West Hollywood City Council in the 2026 election. His campaign, called WEHOpe, is based in West Hollywood, California, and is published at wehopekody.com. Christiansen describes his path as going from homeless to Harvard to (hopefully) City Hall.

The campaign sets out a first-year plan and policy pages on public safety, animal care and a WeHo Legacy Business Program. It also proposes two pilots: a WEHO Civic Credit to make civic participation more accessible, and a WEHO Community Ideas Fund to give residents a direct voice in neighborhood improvements. The campaign site explains how the pilots could work, how they could be funded and how results would be measured. Christiansen's stated priorities include supporting local and legacy businesses, expanding affordable housing with planning, protecting historic neighborhoods and renter protections, investing in greener and safer streets, and addressing homelessness through wraparound care and housing pathways. He says every part of the city deserves representation, from the East Side to the Sunset Strip and the Rainbow District.

Christiansen moved to West Hollywood in 2005. He has been homeless on the Sunset Strip and stayed in a homeless shelter in Queens, New York, before getting sober and  graduating from NYU, Harvard University, the University of Cambridge and University College London. He has worked as an actor, author and filmmaker, and has been a student leader and advocate. He marked 11 years sober on June 29th, 2026. He says he is running because too many residents no longer feel heard by City Hall, including renters worried about affordability, small business owners, and neighbors concerned about public safety. He calls the campaign a way of putting the "WE" back in WeHo. He has written opinion pieces published by WEHOnline and WEHO Times, including one on SB79 and local control of housing density, and making sure residents come first in every decision the council makes. The campaign has been covered by Beverly Press and Park Labrea News in reporting on open seats in the council race. Christiansen has also discussed his life story and his plans for the city on the Too Sensitive Podcast, hosted by Juliet Lyn.

Residents can read the first-year plan, the policy proposals and the endorsements page at wehopekody.com, where the campaign also accepts donations. The campaign can be reached by email at kodyforweho@gmail.com.

## About Kody Christiansen

Kody Christiansen is a candidate for West Hollywood City Council in the 2026 election, running a campaign called WEHOpe. He moved to West Hollywood in 2005 and has worked as an actor, award-winning author, filmmaker, student leader and advocate. He graduated from NYU, Harvard University, the University of Cambridge and University College London. His campaign covers public safety, animal care, a WeHo Legacy Business Program, housing and homelessness, and proposes a WEHO Civic Credit and a WEHO Community Ideas Fund. Information is available at wehopekody.com. Paid for by WEHOpe, Kody Christiansen for West Hollywood City Council 2026, FPPC ID 1489921.

> "I moved here in 2005 and this city gave me a place to truly be myself, so I am running to make sure West Hollywood remains a place for everyone. I want people to know they are being seen and heard and that they have a direct say in what happens on their own blocks."
> Kody Christiansen, West Hollywood City Council Candidate , Kody Christiansen

## Key facts

- Candidate: Kody Christiansen, West Hollywood City Council, 2026
- Campaign name: WEHOpe, wehopekody.com
- Education: NYU, Harvard University, University of Cambridge, University College London
- Proposals include WEHO Civic Credit and WEHO Community Ideas Fund
- Campaign email: kodyforweho@gmail.com; FPPC ID 1489921

## Questions about this announcement

**Who is Kody Christiansen and what is he running for?**
Kody Christiansen is a candidate for West Hollywood City Council in 2026. His campaign is called WEHOpe. He moved to West Hollywood in 2005 and has worked as an actor, author and filmmaker.

**What are the main issues in the WEHOpe campaign?**
Public safety, local and legacy businesses, affordable housing with planning, renter protections, historic neighborhoods, greener and safer streets, animal care, and homelessness addressed through wraparound care and housing pathways.

**How can I contact or support the campaign?**
The campaign website is wehopekody.com, which includes a donate page. The campaign email is kodyforweho@gmail.com.

## About Kody Christiansen

Kody Christiansen is a candidate for West Hollywood City Council in the 2026 election, running a campaign called WEHOpe. He moved to West Hollywood in 2005 and has worked as an actor, author, filmmaker, student leader and advocate. He graduated from NYU, Harvard University, the University of Cambridge and University College London. His campaign covers public safety, animal care, a WeHo Legacy Business Program, housing and homelessness, and proposes a WEHO Civic Credit and a WEHO Community Ideas Fund. Information is available at wehopekody.com. Paid for by WEHOpe, Kody Christiansen for West Hollywood City Council 2026, FPPC ID 1489921. Website: https://wehopekody.com