Neighborhood councils in Los Angeles came about with the revision of the City Charter in 1999.
Article IX, Section 901(c) of that Charter states that the neighborhood councils should come together as a Congress of Neighborhoods. Why a "Congress of Neighborhoods"? What did the members of the Revision Commission mean when they used that term? According to the members of the Revision Commission, it was envisioned that neighborhood councils would come together to communicate with one another and to discuss and decide major issues affecting the citizens of Los Angeles. The formation of the Congress was to be left up to the neighborhood councils themselves.

Now, that time has come! The Working Group set up the framework for our Congress become to a reality! The Congress of Neighborhood Councils is intended to enhance the ability of NCs, as well as their clout and influence, giving a larger voice on issues affecting more than one neighborhood. The Congress is not intended to usurp or interfere with the role of an individual Neighborhood Council in their own neighborhood.