Laserfiche WebLink
City of San Leandro <br />Meeting Date: September 17, 2018 <br />Staff Report <br />Agenda Section:File Number:18-454 CONSENT CALENDAR <br />Agenda Number:8.I. <br />TO:City Council <br />FROM:Jeff Kay <br />City Manager <br />BY:Tom Liao <br />Community Development Director <br />FINANCE REVIEW:Not Applicable <br />TITLE:Staff Report for a City of San Leandro City Council Resolution to Approve the <br />Annual Rent Review Program Evaluations for July 2016 - June 2017 and for July <br />2017 - June 2018 <br />SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS <br />The Rent Review Program is a useful resource for both landlords and tenants who seek information, <br />facilitation, and compromise on proposed rent increases. The program is utilized by the community as <br />a rent dispute forum for tenants and landlords and is applicable to rental housing units in a parcel that <br />contains at least 2 tenant-occupied housing units. <br />Staff recommends that the City Council review and approve the Annual Rent Review Program <br />Evaluations for July 2016 through June 2017 and July 2017 through June 2018. <br />BACKGROUND <br />Title IV, Chapter 32, Article 5, section 4-32-500 of the City’s Municipal Code requires that an annual <br />review of the Rent Review Program be prepared by the Rent Review Board (Board) for the City Council. <br />Since May 2001, the Rent Review Program has been an integral part of the City’s comprehensive <br />housing services. The Rent Review Program serves as a resource for landlords and tenants that seek <br />information and resolution regarding rent increases. <br />The Board consists of five City Council appointed positions. The Board composition includes: two <br />tenants, two landlords, and one homeowner representative. <br />The City of San Leandro contracts with ECHO Housing, a nonprofit housing counseling organization to <br />provide fair housing and tenant-landlord conciliation/mediation services. ECHO Housing has provided <br />these services since FY 2013-14 as a result of the elimination of redevelopment agencies which <br />necessitated staff reductions. In FY 2016-17 and FY 2017-18 ECHO Housing assisted with the <br />administration of the Rent Review Program by processing renters’ rent review hearing requests, <br />communicating with landlords to obtain their rent review hearing request response forms, and <br />educating both tenants and landlords about the City’s Rent Review Ordinance. Additionally, ECHO <br />Housing continues to provide tenant/landlord conciliation and mediation services to assist parties in <br />Page 1 City of San Leandro Printed on 9/11/2018