MO 2001-031 to 2001-035 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

CITY OF SAN LEANDRO STAFF REPORT DATE: February 13, 2001 ` TO: John Jermanis, City Manager FROM: Debbie Potter, Redevelopment Administrator BY: Neusa R. Pollard, Housing Specialist 1 SUBJECT PROJECT/PROJECT DESCRIPTION APPROVED AND FORWARDED TO CITY COUNCIL I City Mager Q �aso7 Matter of a proposed Rent Review Program for residential units. The proposed program allows for the creation of a Rent Review Board and spells out a process to review the reasonableness of residential rent increases exceeding $75 or 10% of the tenant's rent within a 12-month period. SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATION In September 2000, the City Council created an Ad Hoc Rental Housing Committee. The Committee met several times and in December of last year, appointed a Working Group made up of landlord and tenant representatives to study the issue of rising rents and help develop a plan to halt the trend of extreme rent increases that has impacted many San Leandro residents in recent months. The Working Group met with staff and joined the Ad Hoc Committee in meetings to consider alternatives for a program which allows for reasonable increases to keep up with the market and at the same time prevents gouging in -place tenants during periods of high rental housing demand. It was agreed that a measure milder than rent control but stronger than voluntary mediation is needed. The Ad Hoc Committee, with the support of the Working Group, opted for a program which would institute a Review Board made up of community representatives and require that tenants who receive monthly increases higher than $75 or 10% of their rent amount have the right to a hearing to determine the reasonableness of the increase and obtain the Board's recommendation. The Ad Hoc Committee recommends that the City Council review and comment upon the proposed Rent Review Program and direct staff to prepare an Ordinance to implement the proposed program. If approved, the public hearing on the Ordinance would be set for March 19, 2001. This recommendation is based on the many hardship cases brought to the attention of City Council members, City staff and ECHO Housing. It is further recommended that the Ad Hoc Committee be retained as a Nominating Committee to recommend members to serve on the Rent Review Board to the full Council. The Ad Hoc Committee would continue to meet and it is anticipated that the Board members could be nominated at the March 19 meeting. ot 1 6�5