DATE: March 21, 2019
TO: Homelessness-Housing Task Force
FROM: Deputy City Manager
SUBJECT
Title
Follow-up Discussion Regarding Amendments to the Residential Rent Stabilization Ordinance and Review of Council Referral Regarding a Moratorium on Rent Increases
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
That the Homelessness-Housing Task Force discusses this report following up on the February 19, 2019 Council work session regarding amendments to the Residential Rent Stabilization Ordinance as well as the Council referral regarding a moratorium on rent increases.
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SUMMARY
The purpose of this report is: 1) to summarize the City Council's comments related to amendments to the Residential Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RRSO) from the February 19, 2019 work session; 2) to discuss the referral made to the Homelessness-Housing Task Force regarding a moratorium on rent increases; and 3) to describe the process for soliciting further community input and for returning to Council with proposed legislation.
During the February 19, 20191 work session, the Council reached general consensus on multiple measures to improve housing stability that would require amendment of the RRSO. These measures include:
* Develop a mandatory mediation program with binding arbitration that would be available to tenants upon rent increases greater than five percent and applicable to all pre-1979 units except single family homes and condominiums consistent with State law;
* Consider elimination of the vacancy decontrol provisions (Section 8) of the RRSO, based on a pending report from Management Partners.
* Create provisions to protect Section 8 voucher holders from discrimination;
* Require that landlords file rent increase notices and eviction notices with the City to obtain accurate data about rental housing activity;
* Explore with the Housing and Homelessness Task Force retaliation provisions and relocation assistance; and
* Extend eviction for cau...
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